Waterford Today

Michigan Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-Independence Township) sponsored five new bipartisan bills this year that were signed into law.

The representative from Oakland County championed crossing the aisle to effect the most change for her state, according to Michigan House Republicans. Bipartisan efforts on the state budget safeguarded funding for schools and local public services, and the Legislature collaborated to put COVID-19 relief into law.

“In 2020 -- with COVID-19 and partisan political bickering that never seems to end -- a collaborative approach is especially important,” Schroeder wrote in her column on Michigan House Republicans. “That’s why I am constantly looking for ways to bring together Republicans, Democrats, the Legislature and the governor to achieve common goals.”

Rep. Andrea Schroeder | Michigan House Republicans

One of Schroeder’s projects was a measure in the "Return to Learn" bill, which facilitates a safe return to schools and gives agency to local school districts in decision-making. The law allows choice regarding in-person, online or hybrid instruction methods as needed.

Schroeder gained unanimous approval from the Legislature on her measure to prevent teen suicide. "Save Our Students," a reform suggested by the grieving parents of an Oakland County teen lost to suicide, requires a 24-hour crisis and suicide prevention hotline number to be printed on each school-issued identification card.

Schroeder championed new legislation clearing the way for swift allocation of resources by Children’s Ombudsman investigators in cases of suspected child abuse.

“These important reforms will better focus resources where they can do the most good and make government more accountable to the people -- especially the children -- that it serves,” Schroeder wrote on the Michigan House Republicans website.

Community roads received Schroeder’s attention as well. Legislation by Schroeder to allow local governments to take more control in scheduling road repairs was signed by the governor in September.

Another proposal from Schroeder, which passed unanimously, was a bill to reform the notification process for fees to first responders, specifically a fee for participation in Michigan’s Quality Assurance Assessment Program.  The bill aimed to protect first responders and help stabilize budgets.

“All of these reforms were made with state government working the way it should -- relying on bipartisan collaboration to help the people of Michigan,” Schroeder wrote in her column. “I am hopeful these examples will serve as inspiration for more partnership in the months and years to come.”