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Happy Valentine’s Day! Serving the people of Macomb County is very important to me, and I encourage you to contact me with any state issue. You may email [email protected] or call toll-free at 1-866-303-0110. Also, please check out my Facebook page. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.
Working for you,
Michael D. MacDonald
State Senator
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Governor’s 2021 budget recommendation
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Last year’s budget drama was unfortunate. We passed a fiscally responsible budget that increased funding for roads and schools to record levels — without raising taxes on Michigan families. But the governor chose a different route — vetoing nearly $1 billion in funding for vital programs.
Following the state budget director’s presentation of the governor’s fiscal year 2021 budget recommendation, I am committed to starting fresh this year. The people of Macomb County and our entire state need their Legislature and governor to work effectively to improve our state, grow our economy and build a better future.
I agree on the need to continue increasing investments in our schools and job training. All Michigan students deserve an education that prepares them for success, and we need to continue helping train workers for in-demand jobs to close our skills gap.
I am disappointed the governor chose to add billions of dollars in debt for state highways after she eliminated a $400 million local road funding increase. As an expecting father, I do not want to burden my unborn daughter with this new debt, especially when the $3.5 billion in bonds won’t fix any of the county and local roads and bridges that are in the worst condition.
As we begin our work on a new state budget, my focus will continue to be on supporting our students, fixing our roads, improving access to health care and mental health services, and protecting our communities — and doing it all without asking taxpayers to pay more.
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Small business roundtable
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Since our small businesses drive local innovation, job creation and economic opportunity, it’s important to hear from them about how to improve Macomb County and our state. I recently led a second small business roundtable with local business leaders at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township.
It was wonderful to have so many representatives from our small business community come out and discuss a wide range of issues, from skills training to business collaboration. Meetings like this roundtable can help us better serve the people of Macomb and help build a better environment for employers to be successful, grow and create new opportunities.
Participants in the roundtable included several local business owners, Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer, and officials from the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce, Macomb County Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Works!
During the discussion, I recapped last year’s state budget and outlined the governor’s fiscal year 2021 budget recommendation.
We need smarter policies and fiscally sound state spending that fosters future success in Macomb and throughout our state. This was the beginning of a broader discussion of how to achieve those goals as we work to pass a budget by the new July 1 deadline.
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Free fishing this weekend!
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Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend is Feb. 15-16. During the weekend, all fishing license fees will be waived and vehicles will be able to enter state parks and use boating sites without a recreation passport.
Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland lakes and the Great Lakes for all species of fish, but all fishing regulations still apply.
Visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing for information on special events and activities. A state Recreation Passport will not be required at any state park or recreation area during the free fishing weekend.
Remember that ice fishing can be dangerous if people do not follow safety procedures or head out on the ice unprepared. For those who have not tried winter fishing, an Ice Fishing Basics article online features good safety advice and basics on getting started and commonly used equipment.
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School safety grant application deadline
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Schools must be a safe place for students to learn and grow. The fiscal year 2019 Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant Program is designed to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and help protect against acts of violence.
Entities that are eligible to apply are public agencies (including school districts and individual schools), private schools and federally recognized Indian tribes.
Applications for the STOP School Violence Grant Program are due on Tuesday, March 3. Find more information, including applications and instructions, at www.bja.ojp.gov. Click on the “Available Funding” box.
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Recreation Passport fee increases to $12 on March 1
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that the regular Recreation Passport vehicle entry fee for residents will increase from $11 to $12 as of March 1, 2020. This $1 increase is the first passport price increase since 2013.
Michigan residents who purchase a Recreation Passport can enjoy vehicle access to more than 100 state parks and recreation areas, 140 state forest campgrounds, hundreds of miles of state trails, historic sites, family-friendly events, hundreds of boating access sites, and more.
To learn more about how the passport supports, protects and provides easy, affordable access to Michigan’s great outdoors, visit www.Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention
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When winter temperatures plummet and home heating systems are running for hours, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases. Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency room each year due to accidental CO poisoning. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill without warning, but there are steps you can take to keep your family safe.
Installing battery-operated or battery backup CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home, having your furnace professionally inspected every year and never using a generator inside your home are a few easy ways to help keep your family safe from CO poisoning.
For more information on carbon monoxide, including signs of CO poisoning and additional tips on way to prevent CO poisoning, visit www.cdc.gov/co.
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Michigan's 10th Senate District
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The 10th District includes the city of Sterling Heights, Macomb Township and most of Clinton Township.
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Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the State Senate. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 10th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.
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Senator Michael D. MacDonald
4200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
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