Photos

Senator Michael D. MacDonald

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, is joined by Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor David Portuesi and Families Against Narcotics Executive Director Linda Davis to outline to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee the benefits of drug abuse diversion programs and the need to legislation to specially allow them. Senate Bill 1027 would clarify that a prosecutor's office, law enforcement agency, and a community organization may partner to establish a supervision program that offers people struggling with substance abuse a chance to get the treatment they need rather than just throwing them in jail.

Sophomore Brooke Pozzi from Lutheran North High School in Macomb performs the National Anthem during the Michigan Senate's 27th Annual Memorial Day Service, organized by Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township.

Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Doug Slocum delivers the keynote address during the Senate's 27th Annual Memorial Day Service. Slocum served for 35 years as a fighter pilot, known by the call sign "Odie," and most recently as commanding general of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Under his leadership, the men and women of the base earned numerous accolades including awards for being the top Air National Guard wing in the country, the top fighter aircraft organization, and the most efficient aerial tanker wing in the Air Force.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, concludes the Michigan Senate's 27th Annual Memorial Day Service as the Kalamazoo Pipe Band exits to close the ceremony, which honored the state's fallen soldiers.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, delivers the opening statement of the Michigan Senate's 27th Annual Memorial Day Service, which honored the state's fallen soldiers and recognized their families.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, encourages the Senate to support the Michigan State Police budget, which would create a new Jail Mental Health Pilot Program that would qualify the Macomb County Jail to receive $25 million in funding support to help construct an assessment center at the jail to improve the system of diverting accused criminals into mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, tours the Chapaton Pump Station with Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller (left) and state Rep. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield Township.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, reviews work at one of the Macomb Interceptor Drain sewer construction sites with Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller (center) and state Rep. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield Township.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, outlines the need for broad-based tax relief before voting for a historic $2.5 billion tax cut plan to reduce personal and business income tax rates, provide families with a $500 per child tax credit, and protect more retirement income for Michigan's seniors.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, details his legislation to help reduce local road funding red tape during a meeting of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday. Senate Bills 465 and 466, sponsored by MacDonald and Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, (right) would allow local road agencies to swap some of the federal funds allocated to that local road agency with the Michigan Department of Transportation in exchange for state funds.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, outlines to members of the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee the need for his legislation to temporarily waive fees and increase the availability of charitable gaming events in Michigan. Pictured with MacDonald is Michael Horvath, chair of board of directors for the Michigan Charitable Gaming Association.

Students Sophia Marchesi, Kennedy Crouse and Sarah Esquivel from Parkway Christian School in Sterling Heights perform the National Anthem during the Michigan Senate's 26th Annual Memorial Day Service, organized by Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Ken Pratt delivers the keynote address during the Senate's 26th Annual Memorial Day Service. Pratt is a founding member and board chairman of the Michigan Armed Forces Hospitality Center, a nonprofit organization that serves veterans, members of the military, and their family members at four Freedom Center locations at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the Military Entrance Processing Stations in Troy and Lansing.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, delivers the opening statement of the Michigan Senate's 26th Annual Memorial Day Service, which honored the state's fallen soldiers and recognized their families.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, concludes the Michigan Senate's 26th Annual Memorial Day Service as the Kalamazoo Pipe Band exits to close the ceremony, which honored the state's fallen soldiers.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, outlines his resolution during session about urging the state to understand that people make mistakes and to forgive all fines and fees against business owners for violating COVID-19 orders or rules.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, tells the Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee about the need for his resolution urging the state to forgive all fines and fees against business owners for violating COVID-19 orders or rules.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, testifies before the Senate Education and Career Readiness Committee on Senate Bill 268 to allow parents with children who struggled with virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to request that their child repeat the same grade level next school year and have the school honor their decision.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, last week presented Vikas Vij of Macomb Township with a tribute in honor of Vij being named the 2021 Michigan Department of Corrections Officer of the Year. Joining MacDonald for the tribute presentation were Acting Warden Chandler Cheeks (left) and MDOC Director Heidi Washington.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, meets with Freddy's Bar and Grill General Manager Joe Magolan in Clinton Township about how the pandemic, the governor's shutdowns and the ongoing restrictions are affecting his bottom line.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, talks with Sajo's owner Jim Sage at his restaurant in Clinton Township about how the pandemic, the governor's shutdowns and the ongoing restrictions are affecting his bottom line.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, meets with The Pantry Restaurant owner Lisa Lauretti at her family's restaurant in Sterling Heights about how the pandemic, the governor's shutdowns and the ongoing restrictions are affecting her bottom line. She said it would be devastating to have to close her restaurant after 42 years because she can't pay her bills as the result of someone saying she can't have customers.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, joins Mount Clemens Ice Arena Skating Director Mindi Priskey (right) of Chesterfield and Kristin Rosales, a social worker and hockey mom from Sterling Heights, for a meeting of the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic to discuss the plight of Michigan's ice arenas and outline plans to allow them to safely reopen.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, reviews over 4,700 letters to the governor from Michigan residents urging her to allow ice arenas in Michigan to reopen. After MacDonald had sent the governor his own letter, he invited the public to also sign it. On Monday, his office hand delivered the letters to the Gov. Whitmer's office.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, addresses the Senate on his resolution to condemn Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's inaction in fixing issues at the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) and urge her to sign a supplemental budget bill to immediately hire 500 temporary employees at the agency to help unemployed workers and their families.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, helped deliver donated personal protective equipment to National Guard service members at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. The masks were donated by Grand Traverse Economic Development, the commercial investment arm of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and its companies in conjunction with the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturer's Association. Joining MacDonald for the delivery were GTED CEO Roger Stull, MAMA Executive Director Gavin Brown, and Brig. Gen. Rolf E. Mammen, commander of the 127th Wing and Selfridge ANGB.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, joined Alicia Addis and Christ Backos (not pictured) to help deliver food donated by Detroit Food Company and Leo's Coney Island locations in Macomb County to health care workers at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. The food was donated as a way to say thank you to hospital workers who are putting in long shifts and working overtime to care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed the Rev. Alfred Badawi to the Michigan Capitol on Thursday. Badawi is chorbishop and pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Clinton Township and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed the Rev. Alfred Badawi to the Michigan Capitol on Thursday. Badawi is chorbishop and pastor of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Clinton Township and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, and Macomb County Commissioner Leon Drolet led a "How to appeal your property tax" workshop on Monday at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library - North Branch in Macomb Township. The workshop was designed to help guide people through the appeal process.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, and Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, lead a meeting of the bipartisan Michigan Legislative Aerospace and Defense Caucus in Sterling Heights. Participants heard about the ongoing efforts to increase Michigan's role in the aerospace and defense industries. Among the 40 attendees were Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general of the Michigan Army and Air National Guard; Sen. Paul Wojno, D-Warren; Rep. Shane Hernandez, R-Port Huron; Rep. Nate Shannon, D-Sterling Heights; Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond; and Rep. Lori Stone, D-Warren.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, led a meeting of the bipartisan Michigan Legislative Aerospace and Defense Caucus in Sterling Heights, where participants heard about the ongoing efforts to increase Michigan's role in the aerospace and defense industries. Among the 40 attendees were Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general of the Michigan Army and Air National Guard; Sen. Paul Wojno, D-Warren; Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit; Rep. Shane Hernandez, R-Port Huron; Rep. Nate Shannon, D-Sterling Heights; Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R- Richmond; and Rep. Lori Stone, D-Warren.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, was joined on Friday by several Macomb County business leaders and chamber representatives for a second small business roundtable at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township. The participants discussed a wide range of issues facing Macomb County and the state, such as skills training and business collaboration.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, listens to Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer during the senator's small business roundtable on Friday at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township. The meeting included several local business owners and chamber of commerce officials who discussed a wide range of issues facing Macomb County and the state, such as skills training and business collaboration.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed Eric Castiglia of Sterling Heights to the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday night as his guest for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's 2020 State of the State address. Castiglia is the national account management director at the Center for Computer Resources. He also serves as secretary of the Sterling Heights Zoning Board of Appeals and as chairman of the city's Citizens Advisory Committee.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, on Wednesday presented a rare Assyrian Bible to State Librarian Randy Riley. The Bible was donated by His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin, bishop of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East - Diocese of the Eastern USA, during his visit to the Capitol in November to deliver the Senate invocation. The book will be available to the public at the Library of Michigan in Lansing.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, presents Heritage Junior High School 9th-grade student Ai Thi Ho with a tribute in recognition of her winning the senator's 2019 student essay contest. For the competition, students were asked to write an essay about what law in Michigan they thought should be changed or should be added. Ai Thi Ho's winning essay argued that it should be illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a minor.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed Evan Baker to the floor of the Michigan Senate on Wednesday to thank him for his service to the people of the 10th District. Baker served as MacDonald's intern, attends Michigan State University, and will be attending law school following graduation.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, delivers 456 letters to the governor's office from Huron Academy charter school students on the same day that the Senate finalized legislation to restore $570 million of the governor's cuts, including the $35 million cut of the per-pupil foundation allowance increase for public charter schools.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin to the Michigan Capitol on Thursday. Benjamin serves as bishop to the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East - Diocese of the Eastern USA and delivered the invocation before Senate session. Also attending Senate session was the Rev. Father Ameer Brikha, parish priest of the St. Mary's church in Macomb County.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed His Grace Mar Paulus Benjamin to the Michigan Capitol on Thursday. Benjamin serves as bishop to the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East - Diocese of the Eastern USA and delivered the invocation before Senate session. Also attending Senate session was the Rev. Father Ameer Brikha, parish priest of the St. Mary's church in Macomb County.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, recently joined Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. Rogers is the adjutant general of the Michigan Army and Air National Guard and the director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which includes the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, addresses congressional leaders during the Air Force Association's Air Space Cyber Conference in Washington D.C. MacDonald spoke about a proposed Michigan Launch Initiative to bring satellite launches to the state. Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township has been mentioned as a potential control center for the launches.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed Nicole Wyszynski to the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday to thank her for her service to the people of the 10th District. Wyszynski served as MacDonald's district intern over the summer and attends Oakland University. She will be going to her next internship over in Jerusalem, Israel.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, leads a small business roundtable with local business owners at the Clinton- Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township. The main goal of the roundtable was to hear from the small business community about the unique challenges they face.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed the Rev. Jerry Weinzierl to the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday. Weinzierl is the pastor at Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed the Rev. Jerry Weinzierl to the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday. Weinzierl is the pastor at Grace Christian Church in Sterling Heights and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, presides during the Michigan Senate's 25th Annual Memorial Day Service as the honor guard salutes a basket containing a U.S. flag in memory of Pfc. Michael A. Thompson, who was killed in April while serving in Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, concludes the Michigan Senate's 25th Annual Memorial Day Service as the Kalamazoo Pipe Band exits the Senate chamber to close the ceremony, which honored the state's fallen soldiers.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, delivers the opening statement of the Michigan Senate's 25th Annual Memorial Day Service, which honored the state's fallen soldiers.

Joe Castiglia of Sterling Heights performs the National Anthem during the Michigan Senate's 25th Annual Memorial Day Service, organized by Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township. Castiglia is a Wayne State University student and recently had the opportunity to sing for the president of the United States.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, on Tuesday joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for a bill signing ceremony on his legislation clarifying the state's medical marijuana law and enabling state regulators to more effectively and efficiently provide necessary oversight of medical marijuana businesses. Senate Bill 203, now Public Act 3 of 2019, changed the applicant requirements in the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act to require those with influence over the business to go through the background check process by the state to receive a license.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, leads the first meeting of the bipartisan Michigan Legislative Aerospace and Defense Caucus, which was formed to raise awareness of and promote the state's important role in aerospace and defense issues. The caucus on Tuesday saw a presentation on the proposed Michigan Launch Initiative by IQM Research Institute President and retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Dudzik.

The Michigan Legislative Aerospace and Defense Caucus, co- chaired by Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, listens to a presentation on the proposed Michigan Launch Initiative by IQM Research Institute President and retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Dudzik. The bipartisan caucus was formed to raise awareness of and promote Michigan's important role in aerospace and defense issues.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, speaks on the Senate floor about Senate Resolution 18 to recognize May 2019 as Stroke Awareness Month in Michigan as part of an effort to raise awareness of the risk factors, warning signs and symptoms of stroke and the steps people can take to reduce their chances of having a stroke.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, and Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township, welcomed Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, R-Midland, for a tour of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township on Friday. The tour was led by Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, commander of the 127th Wing at Selfridge ANGB, and Maj. Gen. Leonard Isabelle, assistant adjutant general and commander of the Michigan Air National Guard.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, and Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township, welcomed Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, R-Midland, for a tour of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township on Friday. The tour was led by Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, commander of the 127th Wing at Selfridge ANGB.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, testified before the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Thursday on his legislation to clarify who needs to be investigated for a medical marijuana facilities license. Senate Bill 203 would streamline the licensing process for applicants and state regulators - allowing state officials to focus more on those who have a real operational say or financial interest in a medical marijuana business.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, recently kicked off National Reading Month by reading to students at Fox Elementary School in Macomb Township on March 1. In an effort to promote the importance of reading, MacDonald will continue reading to students at local elementary schools throughout the month.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, recently kicked off National Reading Month by reading to students at Trinity Lutheran Church School in Clinton Township on March 1. In an effort to promote the importance of reading, MacDonald will continue reading to students at local elementary schools throughout the month.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, reviews Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's fiscal year 2020 state budget recommendation during a joint meeting of the Senate and House appropriations committees on Tuesday. The governor's recommendation starts the process of enacting a state budget for the next fiscal year.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, listened to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer present fiscal year 2020 state budget recommendation during a joint meeting of the Senate and House appropriations committees on Tuesday.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed the Rev. Patrick Visger and his wife Julie to the Michigan Capitol on Thursday. Visger is the senior pastor at Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed the Rev. Patrick Visger to the Michigan Capitol on Thursday. Visger is the senior pastor at Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, welcomed Barbara Rossmann to the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday night as his guest for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's 2019 State of the State address. Rossmann is president and CEO of Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals and chief nursing officer for the Henry Ford Health System.

Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, was sworn in as senator for the 10th District on Wednesday during a ceremony at the state Capitol. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman administered the oath of office. MacDonald was joined on the Senate floor by his wife Lauranne, father Dan and mother Jan.