|
|
Hi Neighbor, As we spring into summer this June, I hope you and your loved ones are able to get outside and enjoy the sun in the many outdoor recreation spaces our community offers. Splash pads are turned on for the season in Wyoming, and we have miles of new trails to explore along 28th Street that were added with the construction of the new pedestrian bridge. These trails were part of the $20 million state grant I was able to secure for the pedestrian bridge project, helping to safely connect our neighborhoods and give residents more spaces for outdoor recreation. June is Pride Month and I am proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community as we celebrate the diversity that strengthens us. Every person deserves to have a safe and supportive community to call home, and I will continue to fight for the rights of people to live authentically, with dignity, respect and equality. Read on to learn about my upcoming office hours, legislative updates about my work in the State House, cooling center resources and more. I am honored to represent and advocate for our community in Lansing. Please feel free to go to my website at RepFitzgerald.com to stay up to date on our work. You can also email at [email protected] or call at 517-373-0835 to voice your opinion, ask a question or express a concern. My dedicated staff and I are here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
In service, John Fitzgerald State Representative Minority Floor Leader House District 83
In this edition:
|
Office Hours
|
|
|
I hold office hours twice a month to hear your thoughts, questions and concerns. This is a great opportunity to meet with me in person to discuss the issues that affect our community. No appointment is necessary, but you are welcome to call ahead if you would like to schedule a specific time or a meeting outside of regular office hours. I look forward to meeting with you! When: Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. Where: Wyoming City Hall, 115 28th St. SW.
|
Legislative Updates
|
|
|
Negotiating a Balanced Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 The budget process for fiscal year 2027 is well underway, and I am committed to negotiating investments that strengthen public safety and infrastructure, address the needs of working families and give our students the best education possible. Last month, the Republican-led House and Democratic-led Senate versions of the budget passed their respective chambers. Now, as we work to finalize funding priorities for the year ahead, I will continue to keep residents informed as the process moves forward. I take the input of residents in our community very seriously during this process. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office to discuss what investments you and your community hope to see in this budget. I will continue to provide updates on my Facebook and website pages.
I Voted No on Republican-Led Bills Projected to Create a $5 Billion Hole in Michigan’s School and Local Funding A Republican-led package of bills (HBs 5872–5879) proposing to eliminate several taxes — including the personal property tax, the 0.75% real estate transfer tax and the so-called pop-up tax — passed the House last month. We must work to keep hard-earned dollars in homeowners’ pockets, but this proposal is not the solution Michiganders deserve. The Republican-led proposal is tie-barred to legislation that would create a new services excise tax, although it is unclear which industries would be paying the new tax. I am concerned that this plan would most benefit commercial taxpayers and fail to positively impact the lives of many Michiganders who are not currently homeowners. This proposal would alter how state revenues are structured, carrying significant fiscal implications, especially for school funding. House Democrats are all for responsible property tax reform that does not come at the cost of kids, schools and public safety. |
Community Updates & Resources
|
|
|
Cooling Centers Summer temperatures are on the rise and we’re likely to see more heat waves over the coming months. I wanted to share some information about the cooling center locations that you can access in Kent County if you need help beating the heat. Find your closest cooling center here: Cooling Centers in Kent County – Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness.
Special Olympics Advocacy Day
|
|
|
On June 4, we welcomed Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes, partners, educators, volunteers and staff to the Michigan State Capitol for a day of advocacy. One of my top priorities is continuing state investments into the life-changing work Unified Champion Schools provides to create a community for students of all abilities. It was an honor to speak during this event.
Donating Bike Helmets to Godfrey Lee Students
|
|
|
|
I attended the Godfrey Lee Listeners Bike Rodeo and Give Away event where 15 lucky kids and parents in the neighborhood won free bikes through a raffle. It was a pleasure to attend and bring bike helmets to give away to ensure the students stay safe with their new rides.
Gun Violence Awareness Day at the Wear Orange Vigil I had the privilege of joining community members at the Wear Orange Vigil on June 5, hosted by the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association and Moms Demand Action. We came together in remembrance to honor lives lost to gun violence, share resources that can keep our community safe and reaffirm our commitment to honor lives lost to gun violence with action. Last month, our community experienced a tragedy when two people, Savannah and Jeremiah, were killed by gun violence. Moments like this remind us how important community is. We come together to support one another, honor those lost and work toward safer neighborhoods. These demonstrations of support and compassion are what define the character of our community.
Honoring CPR & AED Awareness Week June 1-7 was CPR & AED Awareness Week — a time to recommit to CPR & AED education and the importance it holds for our community’s health. Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, at any time — at home, in schools, places of worship or out in the community. When it does, the first chance for survival often rests with the people nearby. More than 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the United States. Immediate CPR and quick use of an AED can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. I was proud to help advance legislation requiring every public school to have a cardiac emergency response plan, strengthening preparedness and safety for students, staff and communities across Michigan. To date, I have helped to coordinate the placement of three new AEDs to local school districts free of charge, ensuring that our community has the tools they need to respond to sudden cardiac emergencies. You can find CPR and AED training opportunities near you through: the American Heart Association.
Chatting with Students from MSU’s Political Science Scholars Program It is always inspiring to meet with students who are passionate about public service. Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with students from Michigan State University’s Political Science Scholars Program. They asked thoughtful questions about what it is like to be a public servant and shared their goals, perspectives on public policy and the role they hope to play in shaping their communities. I enjoyed hearing their ideas and look forward to seeing the impact they will have in their communities and beyond.
Suggest a Tribute to Honor a Community Member or Accomplishment Do you know anyone celebrating a milestone birthday or retirement? What about an anniversary of a homegrown business, an athletic accomplishment or exceptional academic performance? A great way to celebrate the immense work of people in our community is to submit a suggestion for a tribute certificate from my office. This is a high honor to receive, and I look forward to hearing about all the great things happening in our community! Click here to suggest a tribute. I look forward to recognizing the great achievements of our community! |