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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: http://www.senatorwayneschmidt.com/ Seat Number: 14 Standing Committees: Economic and Small Business Development, Natural Resources, Appropriations Subcommittees: K-12 and Michigan Department of Education(C), Transportation(C), Talent and Economic Development/MEDC(VC), 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.

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 SB 0054  - INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX, Credit, Restore state historic preservation tax credit program.
(Status: 01/23/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE)

 SB 0129  - AERONAUTICS, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Allow a political subdivision to regulate unmanned aircraft systems in certain circumstances.
(Status: 06/18/2019 - SENATE - HOUSE SUBSTITUTE H-5 - CONCURRED (37-0) - IE - REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR ENROLLMENT, PRINTING AND PRESENTATION TO THE GOVERNOR)

 SB 0136  - APPROPRIATIONS, Zero Budget, Provide for department of education fiscal year 2019-2020.
(Status: 05/15/2019 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0146  - APPROPRIATIONS, Zero Budget, Provide school aid appropriations for fiscal year 2019-2020.
(Status: 05/15/2019 - HOUSE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0149  - APPROPRIATIONS, Zero Budget, Provide for state transportation department fiscal year 2019-2020.
(Status: 06/25/2019 - SENATE - CONFEREES NAMED: REPS. MADDOCK, YAROCH, PETERSON - REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE RECORD)

 SB 0190  - GAMING, Other, Create fantasy contests consumer protection act.
(Status: 03/07/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM )

 SB 0304  - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, Bail, Amend procedure a court must follow in imposing financial condition on pretrial release. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0210, SB 0211, SB 0215
(Status: 05/07/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY )

 SB 0436  - EDUCATION, School Districts, Allow funding for and use of Michigan Education Corps under certain circumstances.
(Status: 08/20/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CAREER READINESS )

 SB 0437  - TRANSPORTATION, Funds, Create freight rail preservation and development grant program fund.
(Status: 08/20/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE )

 SB 0473  - EDUCATION, Financing, Update calculation of number of mills to be levied for school operating purposes to reflect change in terminology to target foundation allowance.
(Status: 08/29/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0474  - SCHOOL AID, Foundation Allowance, Change reference to basic foundation allowance in postsecondary enrollment options act to target foundation allowance.
(Status: 08/29/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0475  - SCHOOL AID, Foundation Allowance, Change reference to basic foundation allowance in revenue estimating conference to target foundation allowance.
(Status: 08/29/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SB 0476  - SCHOOL AID, Foundation Allowance, Change reference to basic foundation allowance in career and technical preparation act to target foundation allowance.
(Status: 08/29/2019 - SENATE - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS )

 SR 0034  - Suits and Sneakers Day, A resolution to recognize April 24, 2019, as Suits and Sneakers® Day.
(Status: 04/16/2019 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION – ADOPTED)

 SR 0045  - National Travel and Tourism Week, A resolution recognizing May 5-11, 2019, as National Travel and Tourism Week, to draw attention to the importance of tourism to Michigan’s economy and well-being.
(Status: 05/07/2019 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION - ADOPTED )

 SR 0071  - U.S. cherry industry petition, A resolution to support the U.S. cherry industry's petition before the U.S. International Trade Commission stating unfair trade practices against Turkey and to urge the Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce to take action protecting U.S. cherry farmers.
(Status: 08/29/2019 - SENATE - RULES SUSPENDED TO REFER TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE )

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Biz Community Keeping Tabs On Who Votes For More Road Money (08-20-2019)

School Districts Up North Make Up Just 11% Of Pre-Labor Day Start Waivers (08-14-2019)

Maddock Defends Controversial Provision In Road Budget (07-11-2019)

Using New Gas Tax Revenue For Locals Discussed (07-09-2019)

ABC, Operating Engineers Face Off Over House-Passed Budget (07-09-2019)

Gov Signs Bill Making 25 MPH Default Speed Limit For Residential Streets (06-25-2019)

Gov 'Open' To Bonding As Part Of Final Budget Negotiations (06-25-2019)

Whitmer Turns Up The Heat On The Budget (06-25-2019)

Gov Recognizes 'Substantial Efforts' Of Benton Harbor Board's Plan (06-18-2019)

Teachers Demonstrate For More Money; Legislature Defends Its K-12 Budgets (06-18-2019)

Legislative Leaders Named 'Most Effective;" Ananich Highest Favorability Rating (05-30-2019)

Chatfield Asks Inman To Resign . . . Inman 'Considering It' (05-15-2019)

If There's MDOT Fat, Schmidt Wants To See It (05-10-2019)

Schmidt Still No On Pre-Labor Day School Opening But . . . (05-08-2019)

Hollier Wants Road Funding Numbers Paved Into CREC (05-01-2019)

Child Care Program Expansion Not Included In House Plan (05-01-2019)

Senate Wants More $$ For Education; But Not As Much As Whitmer (04-25-2019)

Bits And Tidbits (04-24-2019)

Senate Fully Implements 2015 Road Plan Without Whitmer's Gas Tax (04-23-2019)

Drones Would Be Limited Over Mackinac Island (03-21-2019)

Shirkey Prioritizing Auto Insurance Over Budget (03-11-2019)

Lucido Still A 'No' On Road Funding Absent PA 51 Re-Write (03-08-2019)

Whitmer Reaches Out To Republicans In 1st SOS . . . But Often Not Far Enough (02-12-2019)

LaFave: New DHHS Caseload System A 'Nightmare' (02-06-2019)

DHHS Bottleneck Causing Long Delays In Food, Heat Assistance Cases (02-01-2019)