Andrews Applauds Bill Passage Attracting Data Jobs to Michigan
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 13, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4906, introduced by state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), which will exempt data centers and certain equipment from state sales tax for a certain period of time. Enterprise data centers are the cornerstone of the knowledge economy, supporting cloud computing, AI and the internet, and they have the potential to make Michigan a leader in this important, future-facing sector. Increasing our state’s information technology capacity will [...]
Andrews Presents Check to Job Development Program in Southwest Michigan
BENTON HARBOR, Oct. 1, 2024 — State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) presented a check at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Berrien Talent Collaborative. This program, created in part by the Berrien Regional Educational Service Agency, Lake Michigan College, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce, aims to connect businesses with students and establish more apprenticeships in the region. Andrews helped secure $500,000 in state funding for the collaborative to get started. After the event, Andrews issued the following statement: [...]
Andrews Celebrates Federal Loan to Reopen Palisades
COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich., Sept. 30, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced today the closing of a loan guarantee of up to $1.52 billion to Holtec Palisades to help finance the retired nuclear generating station's restart under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program. The Michigan Legislature also appropriated a total of $300 million in state funding for the reopening of Palisades in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal year budgets. This marks the first time in [...]
Andrews on Legislation to Uplift Students’ Futures
LANSING, Mich. Sept. 25, 2024 — Michigan House Democrats held a press conference today on a plan that would supplement funding for school systems across the state to use for school safety and mental health. This legislation would allow schools to spend responsibly on solutions tailored to each school’s individual needs, furthering Democrats’ legacy of putting schools and students first. After House Bill 5503's passage, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “Educational needs don’t just vary from district to [...]
Hood, Andrews Unveil Dune Protection Legislation in Saugatuck
State Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) host a press conference at Saugatuck Oval Beach on Aug. 21, 2024. Bills aim to curb risky construction, sand mining in critical area. LANSING, Mich., Aug. 26, 2024 — State Reps. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) held a press conference on Wednesday, August 21, to announce new legislation, which they will introduce soon, aimed at restoring protections for Michigan’s coastal dunes, which are vital for local ecosystems, recreation and [...]
Andrews Delivers AED to Benton Harbor High School
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Aug. 9, 2024 — State Rep. Joey Andrews (St. Joseph) presented a new automated external defibrillator (AED) to Benton Harbor High School on Friday. Recently signed legislation ensures schools maintain AEDs and make them accessible within one to three minutes during a cardiac emergency. In celebration of the new law, the NFL donated 50 AEDs for Michigan legislators to distribute to schools in their districts. “Quick access to the proper equipment during a cardiac emergency can be the difference [...]
Andrews Applauds Agreement to Protect Great Lakes from Invasive Species
LANSING, Mich., July 11, 2024 — Michigan has signed an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois to cosponsor the construction of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to prevent invasive carp and aquatic nuisance species from entering the Great Lakes. This agreement unlocks $274 million in federal and $114 million in state funding for the first of three phases of the $1.15 billion project. In response, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “Ensuring the protection [...]
Andrews Champions Investments for Local Businesses in Southwest Michigan
State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) delivers a speech on the House Floor on May 8, 2024, in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., July 10, 2024 — Fifteen businesses in the 38th House district have received Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) awards from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to boost workforce development. The Talent Fund provides businesses with the resources they need to train, develop, and retain current and newly hired employees. “Thanks to the most [...]
Andrews Delivers Big Budget Wins for Local Communities
State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) speaks on the House floor on Feb. 14, 2024. LANSING, Mich., July 3, 2024 — The Michigan Legislature passed the final state budget for the 2025 fiscal year last week ahead of the legally required July 1 deadline. Democratic leaders crafted a budget focused on strategic, targeted investments that improve the lives of people and hometowns across Michigan without raising taxes. After the vote, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: [...]
Andrews Applauds Grant to Upgrade Water Infrastructure in Benton Charter Township
LANSING, Mich., June 13, 2024 — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy announced that Benton Charter Township will receive funding from the $6.4 million MI Clean Water Plan. The township will receive almost $20 million for projects to upgrade its water infrastructure, including the construction of two new elevated storage tanks, filter capacity improvements at the water treatment plant, new watermain construction, service line verification and lead service line replacement. In response, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the [...]
Andrews on Benton Harbor MDHHS Office Opening
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., May 9, 2024 — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ office in Benton Harbor has reopened, following its sudden closure in March. The office will soon move its staff back into the building. After the announcement, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “I am very pleased about the reopening of the MDHHS office in Benton Harbor. This is a significant step toward ensuring our community has access to vital services and [...]
Andrews on Passage of House Budget, Cultivating Michiganders’ Opportunities
State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) speaks to his amendment to increase funding for Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Going Pro fund on May 8, 2024, on the House floor at the Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., May 8, 2024 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed its fiscal 2024-25 budget today. It includes substantial investments in Michigan students, local economies and the safety and wellbeing of Michiganders. House Dems are reinforcing their commitment to building stronger hometowns and [...]
Rep. Andrews Presents Legislation for Short-Term Rental Regulation
Bill package would balance community needs, tourism economy LANSING, Mich., April 17, 2024 — State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) testified before the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee today as the lead sponsor on a 10-bill package to give local governments the authority to reasonably regulate short-term rentals (STRs). As no regulatory framework exists in Michigan law, STRs have proliferated to a crisis point in many communities across the state. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) testifies before the [...]
Andrews on Benton Harbor MDHHS Office Closure
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 22, 2024 — Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) closed its Benton Harbor office with little notice or information. There was reportedly a mold issue in the building, and while local residents can still call for assistance, the nearest physical locations are now in Van Buren and Cass counties. In response, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “The bottom line is that residents of Berrien County need and [...]
Lawmakers Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Spur Nuclear Energy Generation in Michigan
Legislators aim to make Michigan a national leader in nuclear energy field LANSING, Mich., March 19, 2024 — A bipartisan effort is underway in the Michigan House of Representatives to encourage safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy generation in the state. State Reps. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Graham Filler (R-Clinton County), Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) and Pauline Wendzel (R-Bainbridge Township) unveiled a comprehensive plan today to spur the development of modern nuclear energy technology in Michigan. “Introducing this bipartisan plan alongside my esteemed colleagues is a [...]
Rep. Joey Andrews on Benton Harbor Community Center Grant
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 6, 2024 — The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity recently announced grant awards to nonprofits and local governments to aid in economic development and placemaking. Benton Harbor will receive $1 million to renovate and reopen the Bobo Brazil Community Center, which has been closed since 2009. In response to the news, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “Community centers like the Armory bring vitality and energy to the populations they serve. I want [...]
Democrats Unveil Sweeping Legislation to Tackle Short-Term Rental Crisis
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 21, 2024 — A group of legislators led by state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) recently introduced a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at addressing the short-term rental crisis. “Local control was our guiding light,” Andrews said. “Through these bills, we aim to empower local communities to manage the impact of short-term rentals within their borders, ensuring a balance between economic benefits and neighborhood stability.” Andrews introduced House Bills 5437-5446 alongside co-sponsors state Reps. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), Mike [...]
Laws Taking Effect to Empower Michigan Workers
House Democrats mark new era by strengthening workers’ rights Members of the public listen to testimony of the House Labor Committee on March 8, 2023, in the House Office Building in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Feb. 4, 2024 — For the first time in 40 years, Democrats gained control of the Legislature and the governor’s office last year — with majority, they led a remarkably productive year, passing and signing into law a historic number of bills. A [...]
Andrews on Grant to Benton Harbor Brownfield
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Feb. 1, 2024 — This week, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced grant funding to 18 projects through its Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP). Among the awards was a $3.6 million grant to Benton Harbor and Tech Park, a project that will rehabilitate a current brownfield site. In response to the award, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “This is great news for Benton Harbor and Southwest Michigan as a whole. Not only will this funding remediate [...]
Andrews on State of the State Address
Lawmaker looks forward to work on education, economy LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2024 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered this year’s State of the State address today before a joint legislative session. In her speech, the governor discussed her agenda for the new term, which includes lowering costs for Michiganders, expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the state’s economy. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement on Whitmer’s address: “Thanks to the wise investments and sound policies we enacted in 2023, Michigan is [...]
Andrews Urges EGLE to Reconsider Permit Change Costing Jobs, Hurting Farmers
New rules for anaerobic digesters would force Michigan facility to close ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Dec. 27, 2023 — State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), along with a bipartisan group of signatories, sent a letter to Phil Roos — director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — urging him to reconsider a permitting change that would lead to the closure of Michigan’s only anaerobic digester, a facility that keeps organic waste out of landfills and generates clean energy. The Fremont Regional Digester. [...]
Andrews on Benton Harbor School Debt Relief
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 18, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4292, a supplemental budget bill, today at the Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. Among the provisions in the bill was funding to relieve the outstanding debt of Benton Harbor Area Schools. After the signing, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) released the following statement: “Today marks a fresh start for Benton Harbor. The dark cloud of this debt has loomed over our students, schools and community for [...]
Andrews on Grant to Dickinson Park
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Dec. 6, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced this week that St. Joseph will receive a grant of $260,000 for development of Dickinson Park. In response to the news, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “Investing in community parks, amenities and green spaces makes cities like St. Joseph an even better place to live, work and raise a family. I am excited to see the transformation this well-deserved [...]
Andrews on Palisades Project to Create More Energy, Jobs
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Dec. 4, 2023 — Holtec International, the owner of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, announced today the planned construction of two new reactors at the site. The small modular reactors will each generate 300 megawatts of energy, nearly doubling the output of the plant when it comes back online in the next two years. After the announcement, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) speaks in favor of funding [...]
Andrews Issues Statement on Antisemitic Vandalism in Berrien County
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Nov. 21, 2023 — Late last week, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office was notified of vandalism to U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s vacation home in Union Pier, located within New Buffalo Township. In response, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “Hatred and bigotry have absolutely no place in Berrien County, just as they have no place anywhere in Michigan. I was disgusted to hear the reports of antisemitic [...]
Dems Speak on Legislation to Increase Dependability, Resiliency in Michigan’s Energy Grid
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 8, 2023 — The newly introduced Putting People First Energy legislation, House Bills 5216, 5218, 5220 and 5221, was brought to the House Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee today. State Reps. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), chair of the committee and chair of the bipartisan Energy Reliability, Resilience and Accountability (ERRA) Task Force, Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) and Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) held a press conference afterward to further discuss the bill package, which aims to ensure energy in the [...]
Andrews Legislation Attracting Data Jobs to Michigan Passes
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 8, 2023 — The House of Representatives passed legislation today on a bipartisan basis that will incentivize tech companies to create jobs in Michigan. House Bills 4905 and 4906 exempt data center equipment from use tax and sales tax, respectively, for a period of time if the data center meets certain qualifications, including a minimum aggregate salary for its employees. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) speaks in favor of his legislation on the floor of the House on Wednesday, [...]
Andrews on Benton Harbor School Debt Forgiveness
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 6, 2023 — The Michigan House voted to pass two budget bills today. One of them contains school funding, and Benton Harbor Area Schools will receive $10 million to relieve its outstanding debt. After the vote, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “It was years of intentional underinvestment in districts like Benton Harbor, followed by a disastrous tenure of an appointed emergency manager, that put our schools in this position. It’s only [...]
Andrews on Renewable Energy Legislation
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Oct. 19, 2023 — Democratic lawmakers introduced a package of bills last week — the Clean Energy and Jobs Act — to help Michigan meet its renewable energy goals, create good-paying union jobs and uphold the rights of landowners to use their property as they choose. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), a member of the committee that considered the bills, issued the following statement on the bills: “The issue of how and where to locate new renewable [...]
Andrews on New Buffalo Placemaking Grant
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 6, 2023 — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced the recipients of grant funding through the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program. Senate Bill 7, a mid-year budget bill the Legislature passed in February, funded the grants. The city of New Buffalo will receive $1 million under the Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure category, dedicated to improving infrastructure, public facilities, downtown spaces and more. In response, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “This is incredibly exciting and welcome [...]
Andrews Supports Striking UAW Workers
State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) speaks to legislation repealing Michigan's anti-union "right-to-work" laws on March 8, 2023, at the state Capitol in Lansing. LANSING, Mich., Sept. 14, 2023 — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain announced tonight that a strike will commence at midnight. Hundreds of thousands of auto workers’ contracts expired at this time, with no consensus on negotiations. Other Michigan workers have also gone on strike this week, including workers at Blue Cross Blue Shield [...]
Andrews on Palisades Restart Announcement
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Sept. 12, 2023 — Earlier today, a joint press release from Holtec International, the owner of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, and Wolverine Power Cooperative, a nonprofit power generation cooperative, announced a power purchase agreement that will lead to the restart of the 800-megawatt plant. In response, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “This is incredibly welcome news. Not only does the reopening of Palisades herald the return of hundreds of high-skill, [...]
Andrews Tours Southwest Michigan Automation Facility
Representative discusses ‘Make it in Michigan’ budget with business stakeholders ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Sept. 11, 2023 — State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) sat down with business owners and local officials today for a roundtable discussion at Edgewater Automation’s main facility in St. Joseph. The leaders and entrepreneurs discussed how the “Make it in Michigan” budget will help spur manufacturing growth around the state. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), back row, fifth from right, attended a stakeholder [...]
House Dems Pass More Bills Protecting Kids from Abuse
Legislation banning child marriage heads to governor LANSING, Mich., Sept. 6, 2023 — On their first day in session after the summer in-district work period, House Democrats gave final passage to three bills that, with their companions already signed into law, outlaw child marriage in Michigan. The bills now head to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk; a fourth will return to the Senate. State Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) speaks in favor of legislation to ban child marriage in Michigan [...]
Andrews Secures Funding for Repowering Palisades Nuclear Plant
State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) speaks in support of the fiscal 2023-24 budget at the Michigan Capitol on June 28, 2023. ST. JOSEPH, Mich., June 28, 2023 – The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget today. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta — it reflects Michigan’s values by making the largest investment in education in the state’s history, including free breakfast and lunch for every public [...]
Andrews Supports Efforts to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Facility
State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) pictured with attendees at the Repowering Roundtable and tour of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. ST. JOSEPH, Mich. June 26, 2023 — Today, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) hosted the Repowering Roundtable and tour of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant to meet with community and industry leaders to discuss efforts to reopen the facility, save good-paying jobs, and increase regional economic development and Michigan-made clean energy. He toured portions of the [...]
Andrews Applauds Michigan’s Historically Low Unemployment
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., June 16, 2023 — Michigan’s unemployment rate fell to 3.7% in May, remaining below 4% for only the third period in nearly 50 years. Michigan’s labor force increased by 26,000, reaching 60.5 percent this month, the highest since July 2020. The state recorded 4,440,000 payroll jobs, an increase of 15,000 over the month and 82,000 over the year. These numbers indicate an overall positive upward economic trend for Michigan. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the [...]
Democrats Move Legislation to Ban Child Marriage
State Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) testifies in support of legislation to ban child marriage in the Michigan House Committee on Judiciary in Lansing on May 17, 2023. LANSING, Mich., May 17, 2023 — The Michigan House Committee on Judiciary unanimously voted out a package of bills today to ban child marriage in Michigan. “We have fought for years to ban child marriage in Michigan, and I’m glad we are finally making real progress,” said state Rep. Kara Hope [...]
Andrews on Infrastructure Funding for District 38 Communities
LANSING, Mich., May 9, 2023 — Earlier this year, the Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 7, a budget supplemental that allocates $25 million for the Transportation Economic Development Fund, a match grant road funding program for cities and villages with fewer than 10,000 people. With the communities of Benton Harbor, Bridgman, Douglas, Grand Beach, Lincoln, Michiana, New Buffalo, Saugatuck, Shoreham, South Haven, St. Joseph and Stevensville eligible to apply for the funding, State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) [...]
Andrews on Funding for Blue Star Trail
LANSING, Mich., May 5, 2023 — The House of Representatives passed House Bill 4238 yesterday. This bill contains investments in Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund capital outlay projects. There are 15 land acquisition projects funded at $15 million and 30 land development projects totaling $8.3 million, including $300,000 the creation of the Blue Star Trail in Saugatuck. After the vote, state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement: “The Blue Star Trail will be a 20-mile paved, non-motorized [...]
Labor Caucus Celebrates Passage of Legislation to Restore Worker Freedoms, Prevailing Wage
LANSING, Mich., March 8, 2023 — Today, the Michigan Legislative Labor Caucus celebrated the long-awaited passage of bills that restore worker freedoms by repealing the state’s so-called “right-to-work” (RTW) law and guaranteeing higher wages for construction workers by reinstating prevailing wage. Enacted in 2012, Michigan’s anti-worker “right-to-work” law prohibited labor contracts that required union dues or fees, and was heavily opposed by unions since its implementation. House Bills 4004 and 4005, sponsored by state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), repeals [...]
Andrews Responds to Mass Shooting on MSU Campus
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., Feb. 14, 2023 — A mass shooting took place on the Michigan State University campus beginning around 8:20 p.m. last night. Campus police have confirmed that three students were killed and five remain in critical condition at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Names of the victims are expected to be released later today. The shooting triggered a manhunt that continued for hours, ending with the gunman dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooter has no apparent link [...]
Andrews Backs Whitmer’s Call to Support Michigan’s Working Families
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 25, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the State of the State address tonight before a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Lansing. In the speech, the governor discussed her legislative agenda for the new term, which includes bolstering the economy, increasing public safety, lowering costs for families, protecting fundamental rights, supporting Michigan workers, investing in early childhood education, and attracting talent to Michigan. State Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) issued the following statement [...]