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-ups
  • In-District Update
  • Legislative Update

Weekly Wrap-Up with Witwer

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Please keep an eye out on my Facebook page (Facebook.com/AngelaKWitwer) for upcoming Weekly Wrap-Ups and any event changes.

  • Friday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. in the Spartan Room of the Charlotte Library, 226 Bostwick St. S., Charlotte, MI 48813
  • Friday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. at BlackDog Coffee in Eaton Rapids, 120 W. Hamlin St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
  • Friday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. in Public Meeting Room A of the Delta Township Admin Building, 7710 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917

In-District Update

Teaming Up with AT&T to Deliver and Donate Backpacks

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I am proud to have teamed up with AT&T to donate and deliver backpacks around the district. My team helped to deliver backpacks to Mt. Hope Elementary and Elmwood Elementary in Lansing.

We have also donated backpacks to Eaton Rapids Schools, Olivet Middle School and Washington Elementary in Charlotte!

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September Teacher of the Month Winner!

Congratulations to Julie Crossman, a high school teacher with Charlotte Public Schools. Julie’s nominator wanted us to know that Julie teaches science and psychology and also serves as a National Honor Society advisor. She will be retiring from teaching this school year.

Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for your service as an educator in our community.

Memorial Tribute for Chester “Chet” Binkowski

Last week, I had the honor of presenting a tribute to Fay Binkowski in loving memory of her late husband, “Chet” Binkowski.

Chet’s passion for preparing food and baked goods inspired Chet and Fay to open their restaurant.

Together, Chet and Fay enjoyed watching their business flourish and serving the residents of Charlotte and the surrounding area. In addition to his love for their business and the community, Chet enjoyed playing cards, working in his garden and being with his family, especially his grandchildren, who held a special place in his heart.

Chet was a generous community member, a loving husband and a wonderful father. He is deeply loved and will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched.

Guest at the Hmong New Year’s Festival

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The Hmong Family Association invited me to stand with them for the opening ceremonies of their New Year celebration. I then sat and learned about their history in mid-Michigan and tried some food — which was incredible.

The Hmong New Year Festival is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Hmong people continuing to preserve traditions, share stories and pass on values to the next generation.

This event is a time for reflection, gratitude and renewal. It’s an opportunity for us to come together, no matter where we are from, and embrace our shared history and identity.

I appreciated the warm welcome!

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Legislative Update

House Bill 4337 Passes the House!

My bill would amend 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.”

This may seem like a minor change, but I believe it’s crucial to always give our service members the full honor and respect they deserve.

Ens. Francis Flaherty received the Medal of Honor for remaining in a turret holding a flashlight on his capsizing ship, the USS Oklahoma, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, helping the remainder of the turret crew escape and ultimately sacrificing his own life.

While Flaherty was initially buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, in 2019, DNA analysis helped the Navy identify his remains, and he was finally laid to rest in his hometown of Charlotte.

This bill would more adequately honor Ens. Flaherty’s heroism and his self-sacrifice for his fellow soldiers and nation. The Medal of Honor is the United States armed forces’ highest decoration.

Budget Implementation Bills

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to implement the state budget as the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. The legislation will provide funding for Michigan State Police troopers, public universities, community colleges and the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund, among others.

  • House Bills 4988, 4994, 5004, 5006, and 5007 support critical programs for the Departments of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Agriculture and Rural Development; Licensing and Regulatory Affairs; and Labor and Economic Opportunity.
  • House Bills 4993–97 will support administrative work around businesses and corporations.
  • House Bill 5003 will ensure the state can continue mental and public health programming.
  • House Bills 4990–91 and 5000 provide funding for state troopers and cleanup of used transportation equipment.
  • House Bill 4982 will ensure public universities and community colleges can support distance learning opportunities for students.

Electronic Voting Extended

House Bill 4210, sponsored by state Rep. Carol Glanville, extends electronic voting to spouses and dependents of service members stationed overseas.

Military spouses and families are an integral part of supporting service members abroad. They deserve to have their votes count.

Extending electronic ballot returns for spouses and dependents is the right thing to do.

Lead Screening and “Filter First” Bills

The health and well-being of our children is paramount. Requiring water filtration systems in schools and day care centers will protect kids from contaminants, and early screening for lead poisoning can help parents and doctors take action to prevent its worst effects.