Dear Friends,

To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I’m offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I am active on social media to help keep you updated. You can check out my Facebook page, my  official account on X or my Instagram for recent updates.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.  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

Like families across Michigan, state government must live within its means. The newly signed budget reflects our commitment to West Michigan families — lowering taxes, making life more affordable and supporting our schools so every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The bipartisan plan reduces spending, eliminates taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, and dedicates every penny of gas taxes paid at the pump to fixing the roads.

At the same time, we were able to empower parents and local schools with record per-student funding and restore school safety and mental health support for public and private schools.

It’s not perfect, but it shows that collaboration can lead to real progress. I’ll continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground and build stronger communities.

Click here or on the image below to see a video I recorded from the Senate floor about the new budget.

I hold in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from people about the issues they are facing is an important part of representing everyone in West Michigan. These meetings give local residents a chance to express their viewpoints about what needs to be done and receive help with a variety of state issues.

On Monday, Oct. 20, I will be available to meet on a one-on-one basis with constituents at the following times and locations:

Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary. Anyone who is unable to attend the office hours may contact my office.

At Berlin Raceway in Wright Township, you’ll discover it’s more than just a racetrack — it’s a place rich in history.

Originally opened as a dirt oval track in 1951, Berlin has evolved into a full-size racetrack and entertainment complex. It’s where families and the community come together to enjoy great times and witness some of the best racing around.

Click here or on the image below to join me as I tour Berlin Raceway and explore where speed truly belongs.

It was a pleasure to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming expansion of the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church assistance program. First opened in 1848, St. Mark’s has grown from a small community church into a vibrant center where members come together to serve others.

This new phase of construction highlights a significant milestone in the church’s mission, as it will expand the St. Mark’s assistance program to include enhanced facilities for homeless outreach and medical health clinics. The new wing will provide additional space for free meals, temporary shelter and access to vital health care services, including mental health support and preventative care for those in need.

The church continues to be a beacon of hope and service for the people of Grand Rapids, offering compassion, dignity and practical support to the most vulnerable members of our community.

Grand Rapids was recently highlighted by The New York Times. Among the items mentioned for the city’s appeal were cultural attractions, a diverse and integrated population, and an interesting food and drink scene. These were in addition to natural points of interest like public parks, locally grown produce, ubiquitous farmers markets and nearby Lake Michigan.

The prospect of good employment is also a draw, as highlighted in LinkedIn’s inaugural Cities on the Rise report, which ranked the 25 fastest-growing U.S. metro areas for jobs and new talent.

Grand Rapids topped the list. Click here to read The New York Times article.

Some Michigan rivers are at their lowest levels in nearly a century. Much of the Lower Peninsula is experiencing abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. Since Jan. 1, the state has received only about two-thirds of its usual rainfall. Combined with higher temperatures, this has created Michigan’s most significant drought since 2012.

Low river levels also mean less water flowing into the Great Lakes. With fall evaporation already reducing lake levels, the lack of inflow is expected to accelerate the drop.

Read Michigan, a collection of eBooks about Michigan or written by Michigan authors, is now available through the Michigan eLibrary. Residents and visitors can instantly access titles without waitlists or holds.

The eLibrary is a statewide service offering magazines, newspapers, reference books, field guides and more. It also provides an interlibrary loan system that allows residents to borrow materials from other Michigan libraries at no cost

Fall is a great time to explore Michigan’s more than 13,700 miles of designated state-managed trails and thousands of miles of local, county and federally managed trails.

The DNR website features interactive maps covering about 6,500 miles of trails. Maps can be searched by location, activity, accessibility, motorized or nonmotorized use, and even pet-friendliness, and include updates on closures and detours.

Part of enjoying our trails is practicing trail etiquette, such as yielding properly and respecting other users. You can help keep everyone safe while protecting Michigan’s natural landscapes.

The Michigan Invasive Species Program has identified several invasive plants, including hydrilla, glyceria maxima, invasive phragmites and European frog-bit, in waters frequented by migrating ducks and geese.

Hunters can help prevent their spread by using the “Clean, Drain, Dry” method:

Michigan boating laws also require plugs to be pulled, water to be drained and all plants and debris to be removed before transporting watercraft.

Chronic wasting disease has been discovered in Genesee County, making it the 16th county with a detected case in wild deer. It has also been found in Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw and Washtenaw counties.

Hunters and residents play an important role by reporting deer that appear lethargic, disoriented, lame or unresponsive at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.

Harvested deer can also be tested. Several testing options are available based on the hunting location. Focused testing is underway in several counties in both peninsulas, and free self-sample kits are available for hunters outside those areas.

Details on drop boxes, submission sites and testing options are on the DNR’s CWD testing webpage.

Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, with more than 17 million trees producing about 1.28 billion pounds this year.

October is National Apple Month, a perfect time to visit a farm or cider mill and look for Michigan apples at your local grocery store.

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 SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.

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.