McFall named Legislator of the Year by Michigan Municipal League

HAZEL PARK — State Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) is one of two representatives recently named “Legislator of the Year” by the Michigan Municipal League during its 2025 Capital Conference, also known as CapCon.

The other winner was Mike Harris (R-Clarkston), representing Michigan’s 52nd House District since 2022, which includes the cities of Lake Angelus and Clarkston, Independence Township and parts of Springfield and Waterford townships.

As for McFall, he is currently on his second term representing Michigan’s 14th House District, which includes parts of Oakland and Wayne counties covering Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Center Line and a portion of Warren.

McFall previously served on the Hazel Park City Council from 2019 to 2022, including as the city’s mayor pro tem.

In awarding him “Legislator of the Year,” the Michigan Municipal League cited his ability to build bipartisan consensus on a number of issues, including policies helping military veterans with their mental health, and reimbursing municipalities on the cost of medical transport, freeing up critical funding for other public safety initiatives.

“I’m very honored to be recognized. Supporting our municipalities is a big deal for me as someone who comes from local government,” McFall said. “I understand about budgets and making sure the state doesn’t get in the way of our communities, but actually works with them and helps, which is what the state should be doing. So, I’ve worked very hard to make sure that happens.”

McFall spearheaded Public Act 275 of 2024, which passed with bipartisan support. It requires that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services applies for the federal GEMT program — Ground Emergency Medical Transport — which allows local governments to be reimbursed for Medicaid costs from ambulance rides.

“It makes a huge difference,” McFall said. “The state hasn’t always been all that great with revenue sharing, and it often leaves a lot of holes in budgets for municipalities, so any money we can get to come back — especially our own federal tax dollars, for God’s sake — to help fill some of those holes is great. Many cities are struggling, and that leads to underfunding for training of police and fire, or not having enough equipment or staff. And that affects the safety of residents.”

Another bill that McFall helped shepherd across the finish line was Public Act 149 of 2024, which expands access to the disabled veteran license plate, increasing coverage from veterans who are 100% disabled to any veteran who is 50% or more disabled. This entitles them to perks such as free access to state parks, which McFall sees as a way to help them manage their mental health.

“Someone messaged me that they’re a veteran who was able to get the plate, and they were ecstatic to see the movement from 100% down to 50% because they had gone through a lot of depressed times, and they were happy about how many other veterans would be helped by getting them out into our state parks,” McFall said. “So, that was very rewarding to hear someone say that, since mental health is one of my top priorities. Anything we can do to help people improve is worth it.”

Back at home in Hazel Park, McFall also played a key role in securing $2 million from the state for the upcoming Corktown Health Center — a facility that will serve as both a community hub and as a low-cost or no-cost clinic providing physician care, dental care and more for the entire community.

“They’re still working on the building and they’ve hit some delays, but they’re full speed ahead,” McFall said. “They’re going to be a real gem for our community. They will offer behavioral health, dental and mental, and they’re going to be a centerpiece. They specialize in LGBTQ+, but they serve anyone who needs assistance, which is great for residents, especially seniors who won’t have to travel as far. It’s basically a one-stop shop, and they help people whether they have insurance or not; they try to bill the insurance if they can, but they will help everyone regardless.”

McFall also secured $200,000 in funds for learning pods at the Hazel Park District Library — soundproof office spaces where patrons can read, conduct research, work on projects, make calls, hold conferences, record podcasts, or even practice an instrument.

“The Hazel Park library is small but they have such robust programs that target every aspect, whether adults or children. It’s so much more than a place to find books. They have a makerspace and so many programs. It’s a safe place to warm up in the winter or cool off in the summer. They are so very important today as a community center,” McFall said.

And for neighboring Madison Heights, McFall was able to secure $500,000 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning repairs at the Madison Heights Police Department — a huge savings to the city that will allow Madison Heights to invest more in other public safety initiatives.

“Every community is suffering from shortfalls in their budgets, and again, a lot of this comes back to revenue sharing the state is no longer providing these communities, and that impacts them, so this (grant) will free up funds in the city’s budget for other things that need assistance,” he said. “Public safety is paramount. We need to focus on making sure they have the tools they need, and we do that by making sure their buildings are up to par.”

McFall’s former colleague on the Hazel Park City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Andy LeCureaux, said he’s so proud of how far McFall has come in just two terms.

“I think part of Mike’s effectiveness is he finds issues that aren’t just about his district but that are issues that will benefit every community in the state, and he’s able to get support on both sides of the aisle because he’s such a nice guy — people gotta like you to talk to you, and he’s very nice and very approachable,” LeCureaux said. “I think that’s his talent, finding common ground with people from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, and everyone in between.”