Dear Friends,

To better serve you, I am offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email [email protected]. 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,

Mark Huizenga
State Senator

I recently opposed a K-12 budget plan that would take $670 million from teacher pensions and an overall state budget plan that focuses too much on growing government.

The hardworking people of West Michigan need a state budget that puts a greater priority on solving the problems facing their families and communities, not one that unsustainably grows state government. I see value in several parts of the K-12 education budget, but it regrettably takes $670 million from teacher retirement payments. Paying off this debt not only helps ensure our teachers get the retirement they were promised, but it would also reduce costs for schools — enabling them to put more money directly into the classroom.

I cannot in good faith support a K-12 education budget that robs teachers’ pensions.

I sponsored nearly a dozen amendments to improve the budget plan and increase support for students, skilled workers, veterans, law enforcement and parents — but none of them were adopted.

Among my 11 budget amendments were proposals to:

This is just another step in the budget process. As we work on the finalized state budget for next year, I will continue to fight for using taxpayer dollars in a responsible way to meet the needs of all Michigan residents.

The weekly fishing report is an email newsletter from the DNR that provides subscribers with updates on fishing conditions from around the state. Information comes directly from creel clerks and other DNR staff who spend their days in and around Michigan lakes and rivers. The report is organized by region and provides information on recent weather conditions and species updates along with links to Great Lakes Temperature Map and Daily Streamflow Conditions.

I welcomed former U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas J. Nawrocki, who is also my father-in-law, to the state Capitol on Thursday as my special guest for the Michigan Senate’s 29th Annual Memorial Day Service, which honored Michigan’s fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the selfless individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country. As you enjoy the holiday weekend with loved ones, it is important to remember the true meaning of this national recognition.

Confirmed cases of Avian Influenza have been detected in dairy cattle in the U.S., including herds in nine Michigan counties. As of May 13, infected dairy cattle have been identified in Allegan, Barry, Clinton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Montcalm and Ottawa counties. Immediate measures are being taken to contain the disease. There is no concern that the virus poses a risk to consumers.

Avian Influenza, more commonly known as bird flu, is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl, but human infections are uncommon. The virus is spread naturally among flocks through free-flying waterfowl. Since 2022, cases of bird flu have been confirmed in 48 states, including flocks in 23 Michigan counties.

Effective April 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is requiring mandatory testing of all dairy cattle moved between states. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a Determination of Extraordinary Emergency for “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Risk Reduction Response Order” to protect Michigan's poultry and dairy cattle from further spread of the virus. Accurate and timely reporting is important to better understand and contain the virus.

According to the department, the outbreak does not pose a risk to consumers of milk or other dairy products. Only milk from healthy dairy cattle is authorized for distribution into the commercial market; milk from the infected cattle is destroyed so it does not enter the human food supply. Pasteurization offers an additional layer of protection to the consumer as it has been proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Overall, the outbreak is limited and is not expected to have a major impact on the supply of milk or other dairy products.

For more information on Avian Influenza visit the USDA or MDARD, or sign up to receive email updates for up-to-date information.

I recently attended the graduation ceremony at Handlon Correctional Facility, where the Calvin Prison Initiative celebrated the academic achievements of its graduates. As a staunch advocate for higher education prison programs in Michigan, I had the honor of addressing the graduates and their families, emphasizing the importance of education in rehabilitation and setting a positive example in their communities.

During the ceremony, I presented congratulatory certificates to all bachelor’s degree recipients, underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. The Calvin Prison Initiative aims to equip adult learners in prison with the knowledge and skills necessary to become community leaders, fostering a vision of transformation within the prison system.

May is National Military Appreciation Month, a time to recognize and honor the brave men and women of our nation's armed forces. The selfless men and women who have risked their lives to defend and protect our great nation deserve our full support when they return home.

During the budget debate, I proposed an amendment to restore appropriate levels of funding to our state’s veterans homes. Our veterans homes are a vital resource to many of our veterans, and I strongly believe this is not the appropriate area to roll back our support. Unfortunately, my amendment was not adopted to the fiscal year 2025 budget plan passed by the Senate last week.

For more information on upcoming ceremonies and activities to honor veterans and military families, please visit the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency events calendar at Michigan.gov/MVAA/events. 

Serving the people of West Michigan is very important to me and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may contact me by calling toll-free 1-855-347-8030 or emailing [email protected].

I look forward to serving you, and I encourage you to contact me if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.