It has now been nearly four months since a devastating ice storm wreaked havoc across Northern Michigan. The once-in-a-generation storm lasted days and brought hurricane-like devastation. Ice coated trees, power lines, radio and cell towers, roads, homes and businesses – the weight of which snapped trees, utility poles, structural supports, roofs and even a 600-foot broadcast tower. The toll was immense.

More than 100,000 homes and businesses lost power – most for more than a week and some for more than two. Many students were out of school for almost a month. The fallen trees and damaged power lines left many roads impassable for weeks, and many residents are still questioning how they can afford to clean up their own properties, repair their homes and make-up for their lost income.

Recognizing the severity of this crisis, the Michigan House of Representatives took swift and decisive action. On May 7, we passed House Bill 4328 (Fairbairn) – a $100 million disaster relief package – by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 107 to 1.

Yet here we are, in late July, and this crucial legislation has yet to receive even a committee hearing in the Michigan Senate. Despite being transmitted to the Senate more than two months ago, HB 4328 remains stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee. It should already be on the Governor’s desk.

The twelve counties affected by this storm cannot wait any longer. This is not about politics or partisanship – this is about urgent, unmet needs in communities that are still climbing back from an extraordinary natural disaster. Summer may be in full swing, but in Northern Michigan the physical and financial aftermath of this winter storm is far from over.

Let’s be clear: residents of Northern Michigan are resilient, self-reliant, and accustomed to doing more with less. But even the most prepared families and municipalities have seen their emergency reserves depleted. The cost of recovering from this once-in-a-generation weather event shouldn’t have to be shouldered alone.

HB 4328 offers a modest but vital hand-up to communities that are too often overlooked when it comes to the allocation of state resources. While billions are committed for lesser purposes elsewhere – to include giveaways to big corporations – his one-time investment would go a long way toward helping people and communities in twelve northern counties begin to return to normal.

So today, on behalf of those families, communities, and small businesses still navigating recovery, I’m calling on Senate leadership to act. Bring HB 4328 up for a vote. The Michigan House has already shown that bipartisan support for this plan is very strong. I have no doubt the Senate would do the same – if only their leadership would allow them the opportunity to do so.

Northern Michigan is waiting. It’s time to act.