Capitol and Community Updates

Hi Neighbor,

As we approach the 2026 tax filing season, I hope the tax resources and updates shared with you below will prove beneficial to you and your loved ones. Included in this e-newsletter is more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit as well as a link to a resource to help you determine your eligibility. Please see the “Community Resources” section for more information.

Read on to learn about my upcoming office hours, recent and ongoing legislative work to keep our community safe, tax 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
Minority Floor Leader

State Representative

House District 83

In this edition:

• Office Hours
• Legislative Updates
• Community Resources

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: Monday, Feb. 9 and every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m.

Where: Wyoming City Hall, 115 28th St. SW.

Legislative Update

February is American Heart Month

I spoke in strong support of my AED legislation, which was signed into law on April 27, 2024, in Detroit.

American Heart Month is a reminder to look after your heart health, take initiative to learn about the genetic and physical risk factors for heart disease and advocate for access to care.

This week, I was proud to stand alongside my colleagues in passing a resolution declaring February 2026 as American Heart Month in Michigan. This resolution is about raising awareness about the devastating impacts of heart disease — it calls on us all to make time for prevention, early care and support.

Heart health has been one of my priorities and a focus of my work here in Lansing. I introduced and passed legislation to mandate access to AEDs in public schools whenever possible, and to ensure that more people are trained in using an AED. In celebration of this legislation becoming law, the NFL donated 50 AEDs to Michigan schools in 2024.

I will continue to pursue legislation to strengthen access to heart care and to recognize National CPR and AED Awareness Week in our state later this year.

Promoting Health and Safety

With continued uncertainty around federal policy, access to affordable health care and rising costs over the past year, the last thing that Michiganders should have to worry about is their everyday safety. I remain committed to relentlessly pursuing initiatives to improve the safety of you and your family in every aspect of daily life, so you can continue to focus on what matters most.

Some of my ongoing work to ensure you and your loved ones’ safety include:

• Introducing and passing laws requiring AEDs at public school events and staff trained on how to use them. I led these efforts to ensure high school athletics are a safe event for all student athletes, parents and visitors.
• Improving child safety car seat guidelines by writing and passing legislation bringing Michigan’s law in alignment with federal and industry standards. I wrote this bill to ensure parents have the knowledge of how to protect infants and growing children in car seats.
• Increasing the number of EMTs in Michigan by introducing and passing laws to expand the validity of temporary licenses, making emergency care more accessible.

Spearheading legislation to prevent sexual extortion and leading those protections across the finish line, helping to combat the threat of online sexual extortion targeting minors and vulnerable Michiganders.

I joined my colleague state Rep. Kara Hope, a fellow sponsor of our “Jordan D’s Law” package, which better protects minors from online sexual extortion, at the bill signing on Feb. 4, 2025.

• Negotiating and voting for a FY26 state budget that provides:
  • $321 million to support schools’ unique mental health and safety needs across the state;
  • $70 million in public safety revenue sharing grants for communities across the state to support first responder access, mental health intervention and more;
  • $15 million for evidence-based community violence intervention grants;
  • And $25 million for grants to support our firefighters and county prosecutors’ ability to keep you safe with updated equipment.

I will continue to advocate and deliver real results to improve safety in Michigan this term. Please feel free to reach out to my office if there is a specific safety issue you are passionate about. I am dedicated to working with you and my colleagues to improve life in our state.

Community Resources

It’s Officially Tax Season: Learn About the Earned Income Tax Credit 

Michigan’s individual income tax filing season began on Jan. 26, kicking off the 2026 tax filing season. All state of Michigan tax returns and payments must be submitted by April 15, 2026.

As you prepare to file your state income tax return online for free, e-file with tax preparation software or mail a paper form with documentation, it is important to know what credits you and your dependents may be eligible for.

The “Earned Income Tax Credit” otherwise known in Michigan as the “Working Families Tax Credit” is a benefit for those who work to provide for themselves and their families. In 2022, I worked hard alongside my colleagues to pass legislation that raises Michigan’s Working Families Tax Credit from 6% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit to 30%.

You can refer to the Earned Income Tax Credit qualification assistant to see if you and your dependents qualify to claim this benefit. More resources from the IRS can be found here.

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!