Curtis Hertel Jr.

Curtis Hertel Jr. (born January 9, 1978) is the state senator for the 23rd district in Michigan, which represents the cities of Lansing and East Lansing, as well as the townships of Alaiedon Township, Michigan, Aurelius, Bunker Hill, Delhi, Ingham, Lansing, Leslie, Meridian, Onondaga, Vevay, Stockbridge, and White Oak. He was elected Ingham County Register of Deeds in 2008, and re-elected to a second term in 2012, followed by his election to the State Senate in 2014.[1] He is the son of Curtis Hertel, who was co-speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1993-1994. Hertel's brother, Kevin Hertel, was elected to the State House of Representatives in November 2016 [2]

For his father, see Curtis Hertel.

Curtis Hertel, Jr.
Member of the Michigan Senate from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2015
Preceded by	Gretchen Whitmer
31st Ingham County Register of Deeds
In office January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2014
Succeeded by	Derrick Quinney
Member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners from the 9th district
In office January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2008
Preceded by	Wally Juall
Succeeded by	Carol N. Koenig
Personal details
Born	(1978-01-09) January 9, 1978 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Hertel
Children	Curtis James Hertel, Nathan Alan Hertel, Hailey Rose Hertel, Jack Edward Hertel
Parents	Curtis Hertel (father), Vicki (mother)
Alma mater	James Madison College at Michigan State University
Committees	Senate Committee on Health Policy, Commerce, Regulatory Reform, Banking and Financial Institutions, and Appropriations. Senate Appropriations Sub-Committees on Higher Education, Health and Human Services, and Capitol Outlay. Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

Education and Early Career

Hertel holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University. Hertel served on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners from 2001-2008. From 2005 to 2008, Hertel worked as a Legislative Liaison for the Department of Community Health under Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Political career

Hertel was elected Ingham County Register of deeds in 2008. As Register of Deeds, Hertel filed a lawsuit against mortgage firms Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac in 2011, seeking millions in unpaid taxes on property transfers in the county.[3] The outcome is still pending.

Hertel was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2014. He began his first in month by introducing bills to offer tax credits to Michigan college graduates who elected to remain residents of the state after graduation.[4] He also introduced legislation aimed at reducing sexual assault on college campuses by requiring discussions on affirmative consent in high school sex education classes.[5]

Later in 2015, Hertel introduced a bill aimed at increasing the rate of successful organ transplants by expanding the number of sites that could obtain human organs. It was signed into law on April 5, 2016.[6]

He also introduced a bill in 2015 to prevent non-governmental organizations and individuals from charging unnecessary fees for copies of deeds being requested from property owners. It was signed into law on April 12, 2016.[7]

In March 2016, he sponsored a bill to fund Michigan's First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund, which provides medical assistance for firefighters who get cancer from the various chemicals they're exposed to on the job. He also introduced a bill in October 2016 to expand the coverage of the fund to include breast cancer.[8]

Due to term limits, Senator Hertel is ineligible for re-election in 2022.

References

1. Hinkley, Justin A. "Ingham County Dems cruise to Legislature". Retrieved 12 November 2014.
2. "Michigan 18th District State House Results: Kevin Hertel Wins". New York Times. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
3. Bell, Kay (23 June 2011). "Banks sued for foreclosure taxes". Bankrate. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
4. Feldscher, Kyle (29 January 2015). "Michigan Democrats introduce bills to give tax credits to college graduates with student loan debt". MLive. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
5. "What would "Yes Means Yes" legislation mean for Michiganders in a romantic moment?". Michigan Radio. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
6. "Gov. Rick Snyder signs bill increasing awareness of Human Trafficking, supporting victims". Press Release; Office of Governor Rick Snyder. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
7. "Gov. Rick Snyder signs bill to allow for faster completion of township road projects". Press Release; Office of Governor Rick Snyder. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
8. Hinkley, Justin A. (8 March 2016). "Firefighters call on Legislature to fund cancer care". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved 20 April 2017.