Happy New Year from Rep. Michael Webber

A Letter from State Rep. Michael Webber

Dear Friends,  

I hope you and your family had a great holiday season and your new year has gotten off to a good start. 

My colleagues and I are already hard at work to begin to address issues that face residents across Michigan. I look forward to a productive two years. 

As always, I welcome your feedback on current issues facing Michigan or the Greater Rochester area. Constituent feedback is vital information to have as I work to represent you in Lansing.   

January District Office Hours  

I will be holding office hours to meet with you on Monday, January 30 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. at Panera Bread, located at, 37 S. Livernois Road at Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills.  

If you are unable to attend, please call my Lansing office to discuss your concerns.  No RSVP is necessary – stop by to discuss what is happening in Michigan government and in our community.

I hope to see many of you at office hours this month or in the future.  

Energy Legislation Wrap Up

Many of you closely followed the changes to energy policy in Michigan over the past two years. I am pleased to report that after two years of hard work a sensible, bi-partisan plan was signed into law by Governor Snyder. 

The legislation allows for companies such as DTE and Consumers to continue to provide electricity while allowing customers who choose not to use their service to select an alternative provider. 

The new deal also gives customers a chance at seeing rate relief in times of lower-than-expected energy needs by eliminating what was known as a “decoupling” provision. 

My colleagues and I also realized the importance of updating Michigan’s continued commitment to utilizing renewable energy resources. Under the new law, Michigan will generate 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2022.

I was proud to serve on the House Committee on Energy Policy and to work toward a bi-partisan solution that ensured predictability for Michigan’s energy future.

Swearing In Ceremony and State of the State

Recently, I had the pleasure of the being sworn in for the second time as your voice in Lansing. This opportunity serves as a great reminder of the responsibility my colleagues and I have to represent our district and uphold the Michigan Constitution. I was sworn in by Chief Justice Stephen Markman and was joined by wife Julia, son James and my parents Bob and Nancy Webber.

Last week, Governor Snyder delivered his annual State of the State Address. As he has done the previous seven years, the governor touched on successes from the past, issue areas that still needed to be addressed and new policy incentives for the upcoming legislative session. 

A few of the topics mentioned were investing in infrastructure, strengthening communities and ensuring a quality education.  

I had the privilege of being able to invite one person from the Greater Rochester Area to join me on the floor for the speech. This year, I had the pleasure of being joined by the new Chief Executive Officer of Crittenton Hospital Margaret Diamond.

Speed Limit Law Updated in Michigan

Due to legislation passed last term and signed into law by Governor Snyder, some Michigan roads could see a speed limit of 75 miles per hour. 

The most likely area of a change is 600 miles of rural, limited-access freeways. However, before the Michigan Department of Transportation can change the speed limit, a safety and engineering study must be done.

The bills also allow for speed limit changes in other areas, including:

• Speed limits on gravel roads in counties with populations over 1 million would decrease to 45 miles per hour.

• Up to 900 miles of rural state trunk line highways would see hikes to 65 miles per hour. 

 2017-2018 Legislation

As always, my focus will be on passing common-sense legislation that improves the lives of those in our district and across Michigan. A few bills I plan to introduce in the near future are stricter penalties for violating Michigan’s Campaign Finance Law, allowing local governments more control to set speed limits and ensuring storm water systems are kept properly up to date. 

I am also working on finalizing details on a number of different pieces of legislation and will provide more details as they become available. 

As always, I welcome your ideas for potential legislation.

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference 

Recently, members of the House and Senate along with the Michigan Department of Treasury met for one of the two Consensus Revenue Estimating Conferences.

It is predicted that  state revenues will climb modestly for the two upcoming budget years

Net general fund revenue for Fiscal Year 2018, which begins Oct. 1, 2017, is now pegged at $10.5 billion, up from the current fiscal year’s projected $10.29 billion. It’s projected to climb slightly to $10.59 billion in FY 2019.

Net School Aid Fund Revenue for FY 2018 is pegged at $12.78 billion, up from the current fiscal year’s projected $12.48 billion. It’s projected to hit $13.1 billion in FY 2019

Please take a moment to visit my website at www.repmichaelwebber.com, or contact my office at (517) 373-1773 or michaelwebber@house.mi.gov. If you have any questions, concerns or opinions on what is happening, please never hesitate to contact me. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Michael Webber

State Representative, 45th District