Hello Friends,
On Jan. 8, I had the honor of swearing the Oath of Office and officially beginning my service as your state representative in Lansing. While I am still getting settled, this first month in office has been exciting, busy and informative.
On my second official day on the House floor, I was appointed to the Select Committee to Protect Michigan Employees and Small Businesses — a high-profile assignment that was playing a key role in shaping the debate on minimum wage, tipped wages and paid sick leave in Michigan. On that committee, I offered up my first-ever amendment and tried to find common ground with folks on both sides of the aisle who were working to find compromises. Ultimately, no compromises were found and after voting to move the flawed bills to the House Floor, I voted against House Bills 4001 and 4002 because they didn’t go far enough to protect workers and provide people with the wages and sick leave they need to live their healthiest possible lives.
I remain committed to advocating for better solutions, which is why I took this conversation back to Oshtemo with my first Community Conversation event. Living up to my promises to actively engage my community in dialogue about complex legislative issues, I hosted this event to hear directly from small business owners, workers and other community members about what’s at stake.
The Republican leadership in the House took a historically long time to establish the makeup of other committees, but I am pleased to finally have clarity in my assignments. I am honored to serve on the House Appropriations Committee — one of the most critical assignments for any legislator. In fact, I’m one of only two freshman legislators on the Appropriations Committee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle Michigan’s budget challenges this spring.
I’ve also been appointed to two other roles:
- Minority Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges
- Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services
These roles will allow me to advocate for stronger investments in our state’s workforce, education system and social services.
In addition to committee work, I have been focused on doing whatever I can to protect Michigan families from the chaos Republicans are sowing from the state to the national level. I recently co-cosponsored House Resolution 15, which would condemn President Trump’s blanket pardons of Jan. 6 rioters. This legislation was sent to the Government Operations Committee and has not been moved by Michigan House Republicans. I also spoke to the media about President Trump’s reckless executive actions, including his failed attempt to freeze federal funding that affected efforts to lower prescription drug costs. Watch my comments here: Republicans’ Cost of Chaos. Just last week, I voted against House Resolution 19 that would prevent targeted state grants from going to jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Amidst the busy work in Lansing, highlights from January also included celebrating Portage royalty Betty Lee Ongley’s 99th birthday, and supporting the Great Lakes Center for Autism Treatment and Research at a South Central High School Hockey League game. It was inspiring to see our local teams, including the Portage Muskies, rally behind such an important cause.
Thank you for your continued support. Be sure to follow along on social media for the latest updates and ways to get involved: Facebook.
Sincerely,
State Rep. Matt Longjohn
Michigan’s 40th House District