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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. As always, I hope you find the news and information below helpful. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who may be interested.
My staff and I are available should you have any thoughts or concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact my office at SenKDaley@senate.michigan.gov or at 517-373-1777.
Sincerely,
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Kevin Daley
State Senator
26th District
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Increased taxes could be coming your way
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The first week of December marked the start of the Lame Duck session of the Legislature. In a final push to pass as many tax increases as possible before Republicans regain control of the House, Lansing Democrats have proposed a range of new taxes — from bottled water to gasoline to family fun.
Here are just a few of the bills that Lansing Democrats are attempting to pass in the final weeks of 2024:
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SB 549-554 would raise water rates, costing taxpayers $90 million in the first 18 months. |
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SB 660 would allow local units of government to charge a fee for stormwater systems. |
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SB 1112 would expand bottle deposits to include bottled water and juices. |
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SB 1148 would create an entertainment tax on attending concerts, sporting events, zoos, amusement parks, and more. |
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HB 6256 would allow for the creation of toll roads and lanes in Michigan. |
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HB 6257 would increase vehicle registration by $100 per vehicle. |
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HB 6258 would increase fuel tax on both gasoline and diesel by 19 cents per gallon. |
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State snowmobile trails now open
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Michigan’s 6,000 miles of state-designated snowmobile trails are open now through March 31. Trails are groomed when there is enough snow on the ground. The state’s extensive trail network is made possible by the nearly 1,900 private landowners who allow use of their land, connecting DNR trails to communities across the state. Interactive maps of the trail network are available, which show designated snowmobile trails, shared-use trails, closures, parking lots, and more.
Trail permits for the 2024-25 season are now available and enable you to ride authorized, state-designated trails and thousands of miles of public roads. Permits can be purchased:
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Online through eLicense (mailed within 7-10 days). |
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Michigan will host its third annual Free Snowmobile Weekend on Jan. 17-19. During this weekend, riders can enjoy DNR-designated trails without needing a snowmobile registration or trail permit.
For more information on snowmobile regulations, visit Michigan.gov/snowmobiling.
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During the month of December, many Michigan residents are making plans for their holiday or year-end giving. It is important to be cautious and ask the right questions before donating.
Here are some tools to help you make safe charitable donations and avoid scams this season:
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Michigan’s nonprofit organizations partnered with the attorney general to create a guide for Giving Wisely, which outlines ways you can be sure your donations are being used as you intend. |
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The attorney general’s office maintains a registry of charitable organizations in Michigan. These reports are searchable and are available online or by calling 517-335-7571. Not all organizations are required to register, so many legitimate charities may not appear on the list. |
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You can also verify an organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) status by visiting the IRS Select Check tool. |
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For more information on how to evaluate a charity, visit the Michigan Attorney General Consumer Protection website
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Plan to release violent criminals out of prison heads to Senate
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This week, Democrats in the House of Representatives moved forward on a package of bills that could release thousands of convicted criminals from prison early, including murderers, armed assaulters and child abusers.
House Bills 4556-4560 would make our state a less safe place to live, work and raise a family. This legislation is a slap in the face to victims and their families who have lost parents, spouses or even children to violent crime.
Rehabilitation is important, but it must not come at the cost of safety or justice.
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While many birds fly south for the winter, many Arctic and boreal-breeding birds migrate to the Great Lakes region as their southern winter destination. As the northernmost waters freeze, these birds migrate south to find the open waters of Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio — where the climate suits their winter needs. More than 30 species of waterfowl, including ducks, geese and swans, flock to waters that do not freeze completely and can keep themselves well-fed on fish, plant matter and shellfish.
To learn more about the many species of birds you might see on Michigan’s bodies of water this winter and how to identify them, read “It’s Time for Weird Ducks” or watch the “Winter Waterfowl ID” webinar made available by MI Birds.
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Michigan’s winter weather can make driving dangerous. A little preparation before you head out can go a long way to ensure you arrive safely at your destination.
The Michigan State Police, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, has several tools you can use to make sure your route will be safe:
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The MiDrive snowplow tracking map shows where state and contracted county plows are working to clear snow, along with a driver’s view from the in-plow cameras. |
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As you head out, watch for green lights on winter maintenance vehicles. Green and amber lights that may be flashing, rotating or oscillating allow for better visibility and safer roads for winter maintenance workers and motorists. |
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Be sure to keep an emergency car kit in your vehicle. Visit this site for a complete list of recommended items to keep and other tips for handling winter driving.
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Michigan-grown Christmas trees
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Michigan is home to more than 500 Christmas tree farms that supply nearly 2 million fresh Christmas trees to the national market annually.
With approximately 37,000 acres in commercial Christmas tree production, Michigan ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas trees harvested. For every Christmas tree harvested, Michigan Christmas tree farmers plant three new trees for future harvests.
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I had the pleasure of visiting Kearsley High School and learning about its incredible partnership with the SME Education Foundation and the SME PRIME program.
SME PRIME is helping give students hands-on experience in manufacturing and engineering, preparing them for in-demand careers immediately after graduating! On top of that, the school’s one-of-a-kind bicycle repair and restoration program really shows its dedication to thinking outside the box.
I'm proud to support programs like this one that are equipping the next generation with the skills they need to succeed!
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Celebrating a special occasion?
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My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.
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