Everyone deserves the ability to learn, play, work, shop, and pray safely.  As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee responsible for Military, Veterans, and State Police, I’ve focused on driving investments to ensure our first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.

Track Record

• Doubled survivors benefits for public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. 

• Fought to lower health care costs for police officers, firefighters, and other public employees. 

• Secured $40 million for the Macomb County Jail to construct a new central intake and mental health unit that will allow them to provide better mental and physical health outcomes to those who come through their doors.

• Cut bureaucratic red tape to reduce the time and financial barriers that exist to becoming a paramedic. 

• Championed a $54 million investment to expand and reroute the runway at Selfridge to help the base successfully attract and prepare for a future fighter mission.

• Strengthened protections for veterans and their families seeking benefits, ensuring they are treated fairly, get trustworthy advice, and aren’t charged excessive fees or exposed to security risks. 

• Created and funded the Michigan Veterans Coalition Grant Program to improve veterans’ access to the benefits they’ve earned. 

• Secured millions in state funding to support suicide prevention programs and nonprofits who provide housing for veterans and their families.

• Expand eligibility for tuition assistance to spouses and dependents of National Guard members — providing increased avenues for military family members to obtain a college degree.