Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am most effective at my job when acting on your direct input. I encourage you to reach out to me and my staff with any questions, comments or concerns you may have regarding our community or state and with any policy ideas.

Please do not hesitate to reach out by phone at (517) 373-0822 or send an email to AngelaWitwer@house.mi.gov.

Sincerely,

Angela Witwer

State Representative, 76th House District

 

In This Issue:

  •       Weekly Wrap-Up
  •       In-District Update
  •       General Update
  •       Legislative Update

A blue and red banner reading "Weekly Wrap-Up with Witwer, State Representative Angela Witwer" next to a graphic of a coffee mug.

Weekly Wrap-Up with Witwer:

Please keep an eye out on my Facebook page for upcoming Weekly Wrap-ups scheduled in the coming months.


In District Update:

September Teacher of the Month Nomination Link

Road Work Alert

The Michigan Department of Transportation is rebuilding the I-69 Business Loop (Cochran Avenue) bridge over the Battle Creek River in Charlotte, requiring crews to close the roadway until late October.

Attended Judge Kelly Morton’s Investiture to the Eaton County Circuit Court

I had the great privilege to attend and speak at my friend Judge Kelly Morton’s investiture to Eaton County Circuit Court. Judge Morton and I became friends during our run for office, and that friendship has grown out of deep respect and admiration. Thank you to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for appointing Judge Morton, and thank you, Kelly, for your commitment to our community.

Representative Angela Witwer speaks at a podium in front of Michigan's first smart food lockers to a crowd of attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Eaton County.

“Cut the Ribbon” to Open Michigan’s First Food Locker

On National Hunger Action Day, Sept. 10, I helped welcome the first-ever smart food locker in Michigan to our district. Nearly 14,000 people in Eaton County don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Thanks to the partnership between the Greater Lansing Food Bank, Eaton Community Health, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, The Community Foundation, and the food pantries and emergency housing shelters in Eaton County, residents in need will now have 24/7 access to shelf-safe and refrigerated foods to feed their families. 

Attended 9/11 Memorial Service at the Capitol with Charlotte Police Chief Paul Brentar

The Michigan House of Representatives came together for a 9/11 Memorial Service at the Capitol to honor the lives lost and to recognize the first responders who served selflessly and bravely. Every representative brought a first responder as a guest. I brought Chief Paul Brentar from the Charlotte Police Department to thank our local first responders for keeping our community safe.

Tribute to Norma MacKenzie in Celebration of 100th Birthday

I recently presented a tribute to Norma MacKenzie in celebration of her 100th birthday. I visited her and her son at her home in Delta Township. She’ll be turning 101 on Election Day in November. It’s truly an honor to recognize such an extraordinary woman!

Recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Works! Association

I was recently recognized as the Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Works! Association for my efforts and partnership with Capital Area Michigan Works! It was an honor to be recognized by an association that supports our district’s workers.

Presented Retirement Tribute to Dr. Bill DeFrance

I recently presented a tribute to Dr. Bill DeFrance who retired last year as the Superintendent of Eaton Rapids Public Schools. It was great to recognize his service and leadership in our district.

 

Legislative Update:

A blue and white graphic reading "January through June 2024, State Representative Angela Witwer, Appropriations Chair, 6 month Legislative Action Snapshot" next to a headshot of Representative Witwer. The graphic reads "66 bills and resolutions sponsored and cosponsored, more than 1,100 constituent responses from our office, 11 coffee hours, 2,318 legislative doors knocked, more than 330 community meetings, 100 percent voting record, 124 tributes and certificates."

Here’s a recap of our first six months of 2024! I’m proud to serve all Michiganders as Appropriations Chair and the people of Eaton County and the 76th House District as state representative. My office and I work tirelessly to advocate for responsible community growth and communicate what’s happening at the Capitol. I look forward to what the rest of 2024 holds!

A green and red graphic reading "PreK for All" in front of a blue outline of Michigan. Pictures of young students learning at PreK are spread along the border of the graphic. Along the bottom the graphic reads "Now here in Michigan!"

Pre-K for All is Now Here in Michigan!

Big news for little learners! Thanks to a historic investment in the fiscal year 2025 state budget, we’ve expanded access to free, high-quality pre-K in Michigan! Starting in the fall of 2024, all Michigan 4-year-olds can qualify for free pre-K. 

Attending a quality pre-K program has a positive impact on a child’s life by preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond. Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program is ranked #1 in the nation for quality.

Find a program near you at MiPreKforAll.org.

Participated in Press Conference with Attorney General Dana Nessel

Supporting our police and protecting our communities has always been a priority of mine. I joined Michigan Department of Attorney General Dana Nessel, members of her office and various attorneys from across the state to announce the launch of Operation Survivor Justice.

Operation Survivor Justice is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors and the U.S. Marshals Service, working to locate, apprehend and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants at a significantly lower cost compared to private extradition services. In the fiscal year 2025 budget, we worked to include a $1 million appropriation for this initiative.

The unfortunate reality is extraditing defendants back to Michigan can be a costly endeavor that many local prosecutor’s offices simply do not have the resources for. That’s why we decided to help remove these barriers by increasing financial support from the state, so survivors of sexual assault can begin to heal when perpetrators are finally brought to justice.

Press Release for the Event

Fiscal Year 2025 Eaton County Budget Highlights

  • Statutory revenue sharing increase: 12.1%.
  • $17 million for prosecutor grants with $250,000 carveout for Eaton County prosecutors!
  • $5 million to Michigan Medicine to improve ground emergency transportation in Eaton County, EMS partnership with LCC and Survival Flight helicopters. 
  • $5 million for the Bank Intercounty Drain Project.
  • $5 million for the Eaton Rapids Medical Center’s new inpatient wing. 
  • $1.5 million to Small Talk Child Advocacy Center, plus $2 million to child advocacy centers in general.
  • $700,000 for the Eaton County Fire Training Facility.
  • Eaton County Water Infrastructure Investments:
    • $5 million for Grand Ledge.
    • $2 million for Vermontville.
    • $4 million for Potterville.
    • $2 million for Dimondale. 

A green and white graphic reading "2025 School Budget Ongoing Funding for Our School Districts" that lists the school budget and per-pupil increase of 5 school districts. The graphic reads "Charlotte Public Schools: $764,497 school budget and $325 per pupil increase. Eaton Rapids Public Schools: $815,297 school budget and $422 per pupil increase. Grand Ledge Public Schools: $1,923,481 school budget and $363 per pupil increase. Holt Public Schools: $2,110,378 school budget and $443 per pupil increase. Lansing Public Schools: $4,143,775 school budget and $421 per pupil increase."

A green and white graphic that lists the school budget and per-pupil increase of 5 school districts. The graphic reads "Maple Valley Schools: $319,262 school budget and $354 per pupil increase. Olivet Community Schools: $424,263 school budget and $345 per pupil increase. Oneida-Strange School: $9,533 school budget and $326 per pupil increase. Potterville Public Schools: $289,111 school budget and $407 per pupil increase. Waverly Community Schools: $1,301,102 school budget and $482 per pupil increase. Totaling $12,100,699 for our schools." Along the bottom of the graphic is a headshot of State Representative Angela Witwer, 76th House District.

  • In the upcoming fiscal year 2025 budget, we are putting $598 million back into classrooms where it belongs. 
    • Savings per school district include:
      • Waverly Community Schools: $482 per pupil.
      • Grand Ledge Public Schools: $363 per pupil.
      • Eaton Rapids Public Schools: $422 per pupil.
      • Olivet Community Schools: $345 per pupil.
      • Charlotte Public Schools: $325 per pupil.
      • Maple Valley Schools: $354 per pupil.
      • Potterville Public Schools: $407 per pupil.

Statewide Budget Wins

  • Future Farmers of America: $8 million.
  • Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund: $75 million annually.
  • Revenue Sharing Trust Fund: $75 million annually.

I am committed to bringing home funding for our youngest Michiganders and ensuring our hometown schools have the tools needed to help students thrive.

 

My Legislation Signed into Law this Term:

HB 4001
This bill repealed the retirement tax that has impacted our Michigan retirees living on a fixed income. Now, half a million households with public pensions, private pensions, IRAs and 401ks with an employer match will benefit from this law and save about $1,000 a year.

However, HB 4001 does more than repeal the retirement tax. It also quintuples the Michigan working families tax credit match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 30%, up from 6%. It will lift 25,000 working families out of poverty and deliver an average combined tax refund of $3,150 to 700,000 families, directly impacting nearly one million kids — almost half the kids in Michigan.

HB 4016

This bill was a supplemental appropriations bill that made historic investments in hospitals and health-care workers, supported home energy solutions, protected our environment, funded affordable housing and attracted investments in manufacturing.

HB 4082

This bill renames a portion of a Michigan Highway, I-96 in Ionia County beginning at mile marker 76 and extending east to mile marker 77, in memory of Barry Lyn Hause, a road construction worker who tragically lost his life while on the job after being struck by a vehicle.

This newly designated Barry Lyn Hause Memorial Highway stands as a lasting memorial and serves as a reminder to us all to drive safely and to respect the sacrifices made by road construction workers like Barry.

HB 4197

This bill helps prevent the financial exploitation of seniors and other vulnerable adults by allowing broker-dealers and investment advisors to place temporary holds on disbursements of funds or securities when there is reason to believe that financial exploitation of a customer has occurred.

HB 4337

This bill amends a portion of M-50 in Eaton County currently named the, “Ensign Francis Flaherty Memorial Highway” to be named the “Ensign Francis Flaherty Medal of Honor Recipient Memorial Highway.”

HB 4437

This bill was the omnibus appropriations bill. As the chair of House Appropriations, it was an honor to lead the House in listening to our communities to include their priorities. Our district had big wins, wins it has never seen before. Our successes include funding for local roads, sewer infrastructure for continued developments, police support, a new senior center, education support, a new city hall, teen center and much more.