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Schmidt, Wayne A. (R)

Office: 4600 Binsfeld Building Term: Final Phone: (517) 373-2413 Email: senwschmidt@senate.michigan.gov Home Address: PO Box 25, Traverse City, MI 49685 Website: https://www.senatorwayneschmidt.com/ Seat Number: 14 Standing Committees: Economic and Small Business Development, Energy and Technology, Natural Resources, Appropriations Subcommittees: K-12 and Michigan Department of Education(C), Transportation(C), Labor and Economic Opportunity / MEDC(VC), Joint Capital Outlay, Community Health / Human Services (C) = Chair, (VC) = Vice Chair

POLITICAL CAREER

Sen. Schmidt was first elected to the Michigan Senate after he defeated fellow House member Rep. Greg MacMaster in a tough primary election. He went on in the general to defeat Democrat Phil Bellfy 61 to 39 percent.  

Prior to being elected to the Michigan Senate, Sen. Schmidt served three terms in the Michigan House.  During his last term he chaired the House Transportation Committee and the Capitol Committee.  Before being elected to the Legislature, Schmidt was elected five times to the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners.  

WORK EXPERIENCE

Sen. Schmidt served as general manager of the Captain's Quarters men's clothing store in Traverse City, and was elected five times to the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners. On the commission he had terms as vice chair and chair of the board.

To read MIRS biography of Sen. Schmidt, click here.

EDUCATION

Sen. Schmidt attended the University of Chicago, majoring in economics and public policy and is a graduate of the Michigan State University Political Leadership Program.

PERSONAL

Senator Schmidt was born October 6, 1966 and is a lifelong resident of Traverse City. He and his wife Kathleen have two children, Danny and Ryan.

CIVIC ACTIVITIES

Sen. Schmidt has been a part of a number of organizations, including: Grand Traverse County Economic Development Corporation and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, Bay Area Transit Authority, Michigan Association of Counties Human Services Committee (chair), Grand Traverse County Land Use & Transportation Study Group - Grand Vision , Grand Traverse County Republican Party (vice-chair and membership chair), Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan, National Cherry Festival, Trout Unlimited, Economic Club of TC, Kiwanis Noon Club, Boardman Neighborhood Association, Great Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (vice-chair), Traverse City Zoning Board of Appeals chair and Downtown Traverse City Association.

LEAD STAFF PERSON:

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 SB 0083  - APPROPRIATIONS, School Aid, NEW, Provide appropriations for K-12 schools for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2021.
(Status: 06/10/2021 - SENATE - CONFEREES NAMED: REPS. PAQUETTE, GLENN, WEISS - REFERRED TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE)

 SB 0084  - APPROPRIATIONS, Department of Education, NEW, Provide appropriations for the Department of Education for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2021.
(Status: 06/10/2021 - SENATE - CONFEREES NAMED: REPS. PAQUETTE, GLENN, WEISS - REFERRED TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE)

 SB 0092  - APPROPRIATIONS, Transportation, NEW, Provide appropriations for the Department of Transportation for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2021.
(Status: 06/10/2021 - SENATE - CONFEREES NAMED: REPS. VANSINGEL, BORTON, STECKLOFF - REFERRED TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE)

 SB 0103  - PUBLIC UTILITIES, Electric Utilities, NEW, Provide for rights of electric transmission companies.
(Status: 02/04/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY )

 SB 0116  - OCCUPATIONS, Barbers, Provide for barber apprenticeship requirements for licensure.
(Status: 05/05/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM )

 SB 0129  - BUSINESSES, Associations, Modify summer resort and parks associations.
(Status: 06/09/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE )

 SB 0137  - TRANSPORTATION, Funds, Create freight rail preservation and development grant program fund
(Status: 02/16/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE )

 SB 0141  - LIQUOR, Spirits, Modify definition of mixed spirit drink, and modify eligibility for direct shipper license and retailer delivery. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0144'21, SB 0143'21
(Status: 05/11/2021 - SENATE - ENROLLMENT VACATED - IE - REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR ENROLLMENT, PRINTING AND PRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNOR)

 SB 0207  - CIVIL RIGHTS, Open Meetings, Provide for procedures for electronic meetings of public bodies.
(Status: 03/04/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS)

 SB 0215  - APPROPRIATIONS, School Aid Supplemental, Provide for multisection school aid supplemental for fiscal year 2020-2021.
(Status: 03/18/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0266  - EDUCATION, Teachers, Require schools to provide to parents and legal guardians, or pupils comparative assessment of current pupil academic performance to projected pupil academic performance without the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and require teachers to create learning recovery plans for all pupils taught in 2020-2021. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0265'21, SB 0263'21, SB 0262'21, SB 0264'21, SB 0267'21, SB 0056'21, SB 0261'21, SB 0260'21, SB 0268'21, SB 0057'21
(Status: 03/18/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CAREER READINESS )

 SB 0300  - ELECTIONS, Voting Procedures, Provide for early voting.
(Status: 03/24/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS )

 SB 0301  - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, Sentencing Guidelines, Provide for sentencing guidelines for certain early voting violations under the Michigan election law. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0300'21
(Status: 03/24/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS )

 SB 0390  - EDUCATION, School Districts, Allows funding for and use of Michigan Education Corps under certain circumstances.
(Status: 04/27/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CAREER READINESS)

 SB 0391  - TAXATION, Tobacco, Removes sunset on cap for taxes on cigars.
(Status: 04/27/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE)

 SB 0394  - TRANSPORTATION, Funds, Provide for allocation of certain federal funds to department of transportation, and direct into state restricted funds to counties, cities and villages.
(Status: 04/29/2021 - SENATE - COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS IMMEDIATE EFFECT - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE)

 SB 0416  - HEALTH OCCUPATIONS, Health Professionals, Modify reciprocity requirements for an individual licensed in Canada.
(Status: 06/24/2021 - HOUSE - TO SECOND READING )

 SB 0417  - INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX, Credit, Increase earned income tax credit.
(Status: 05/05/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE )

 SB 0432  - HOUSING, Other, Provide for payment in lieu of taxes for rural workforce housing projects.
(Status: 06/17/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE )

 SB 0437  - MICHIGAN BUSINESS TAX, Credits, This bill states that a component of a multiphase project is considered complete when a temporary or final certificate of occupancy has been issued. The bill allows a qualified taxpayer approved for a multiphase project credit under Resolution 2021-219 that was issued a preapproval letter on June 10, 2011, to have until September 14, 2023 to complete the project and claim the credit.
(Status: 06/10/2021 - SENATE - IMMEDIATE EFFECT GRANTED - REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR ENROLLMENT, PRINTING AND PRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNOR)

 SB 0529  - APPROPRIATIONS, Transportation, NEW, Provide for bridge repair and replace supplemental for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021.
(Status: 07/21/2021 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0536  - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, Administration, Prohibit elimination of work search and work registration requirements unless extended benefits are triggered.
(Status: 06/10/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT )

 SB 0556  - NATURAL RESOURCES, Trust Fund, NEW, Creates northern Michigan tourism and sports fund.
(Status: 06/17/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0557  - CORPORATE INCOME TAX, Credits, Provides for credit for certain construction and renovation projects that receive LEED certification.
(Status: 06/17/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT )

 SR 0012  - School-Based Health Care Awareness Month, A resolution to recognize February 2021 as School-Based Health Care Awareness Month.
(Status: 02/04/2021 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION - ADOPTED )

 SR 0064  - Internet Safety Month, A resolution to designate June 2021 as Internet Safety Month.
(Status: 06/10/2021 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION - ADOPTED )

 SR 0072  - Governor, A resolution to urge the Governor to establish a statewide goal of conserving at least 30 percent of land and 30 percent of water in the state by the year 2030, as part of the nationwide 30x30 effort to accelerate conservation efforts, and to update the state land management plan accordingly.
(Status: 06/30/2021 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES)

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Caucus PACs Report 'Record-Breaking' Fundraising On Both Sides (07-26-2021)

$1.6B In Bridge, Road, Rail Money Chugs Thru Senate Without Gov's Signoff (07-15-2021)

Gov Signs Historic K-12 Budget, Per-Pupil Funding Gap Eliminated (07-13-2021)

Senate Eliminating Per-Pupil Gap In Its Budget Tomorrow (06-29-2021)

Gov To DIFS: Make Speaker's $10M Fund For Brain Injury Clinics 'Workable' (06-29-2021)

End Of The Road Nearing On Elliott Larsen Expansion Push (06-29-2021)

House Budget Eliminates Per-Pupil Funding Gap (06-25-2021)

Schmidt: We're Going To Keep School Funding Gap Closed Going Forward (06-25-2021)

Housing Michigan's Legislative Agenda Has Pieces Approved By Senate (06-17-2021)

Bits And Tidbits (06-15-2021)

Senate Eyes $1.5B For Bridge Repairs; Property Tax Relief Passes (06-09-2021)

Lawmakers Extend Midtown Development Credit A Day Before Expiration (06-09-2021)

House, Senate Recognizes LGBTQ Pride Month For First Time Ever (06-03-2021)

Canadian Nurses May Have Licensing Troubles Absent Bill (05-28-2021)

Stamas, Hertel, House Caucus Leaders Seen As Most Effective (05-27-2021)

Gov Bellies Up To Bar To Sign Bills Benefiting Canned Cocktail Industry (05-24-2021)

Enbridge Would 'Reassess' Tunnel Plans If Gov Closes Current Line 5 (05-12-2021)

Senate K-12 Budget Links State Aid To In-Person Learning (05-12-2021)

Mental Health Support; Teacher Shortage Highlights Senate Conversation (05-06-2021)

Senate Inflates Per-Pupil; House Explores New Ideas With K-12 Budget (04-22-2021)

A Look At All 39 GOP Voter Bills; Decried By Dem As 'Lipstick On Jim Crow' (03-24-2021)

Senate Allows Hertel Appointment As DHHS Director To Go Through (03-23-2021)

Any-Reason Virtual Meetings Ending Soon For Gov't, No Extension In Sight (03-22-2021)

Here’s How State Moves Propane Without Line 5 (03-12-2021)

LGBTQ Advocates: We've Got The Votes (03-08-2021)

Bill Would Eliminate Discrimination In Old Deeds (03-05-2021)

Senate Wants Folks Told If Vaccine Came From Aborted Tissue (02-25-2021)

Senate Budget Removes Race As Vax Distribution Factor (02-24-2021)

Time To Plug Into High-Voltage Electric Line Buildout Discussion (02-23-2021)

MDE Urges Senate Panel To Double Mental Health Services Budget, At Least (02-04-2021)

Gov's Student Recovery Panel To Study Learning Loss Due To COVID (02-04-2021)

Bits And Tidbits (02-04-2021)

Senate Shuffles Up Approps Subcommittee After Departures (01-26-2021)

Victory To Chair Senate Judiciary; Bumstead To Co-Chair JCAR (01-13-2021)

16 Bills Fall To Pocket Vetoes As Time Runs Out (01-05-2021)

Governor Signs More Than 80 Bills At Session's End (12-29-2020)

Chang Most Progressive, Runestad Most Conservative In 2020 (12-23-2020)

Senate Throws A Dime At Allowing Local Bridge-Crossing Fees (12-03-2020)

Several Tax Break Bills Clear Senate (12-03-2020)

Top 10 House Districts Most Likely To Flip (10-07-2020)

Bills Called Tax 'Fairness' For Micro-Fulfillment Centers (10-01-2020)

School Bus Provides $65-Per-Pupil Hike, Restores Colleges, U's To Pre-COVID Levels (09-23-2020)

Courts Can Still Raise Money With Fines . . . For Now (09-17-2020)

UP Lawmakers Back Proposal 1 On November Ballot (09-14-2020)

UP Lawmakers Back Proposal 1 On November Ballot (09-14-2020)

Senate Pulls Trigger On Anti-Shooter Barricades In Schools (09-09-2020)