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 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

This week, the Senate rejected a motion to consider my legislation to fully restore nearly $302 million in school safety and student mental health care funding that was cut in the new state budget.

With the new fiscal year just days away, a 92% reduction in school safety and student mental health funding is set to take effect. These are not partisan matters, and no community is immune from the risks of violence or the challenges posed by untreated mental health conditions. In the past, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to provide schools with this critical support.

The resources are there to address this issue, and my bill provides a solution to fully restore this vital funding. I am deeply disappointed that the Senate majority refuses to take up my legislation to ensure all Michigan students have access to necessary mental health care services and to help schools make critical safety improvements.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July signed the fiscal year 2025 budget that cut almost $302 million in funding dedicated to student mental health and school safety — going from $328 million in support in the current budget to just $26.5 million in the budget starting Oct. 1.

Senate Bill 1005 is a supplemental budget bill for fiscal year 2024-25 that would use $301.5 million from the state’s General Fund to restore school safety and student mental health funding to the current level.

Senate Republicans this week made a motion to discharge my bill from committee so that the Senate could immediately vote on it. The motion failed with all Senate Republicans voting yes and all Senate Democrats either voting no or refusing to vote at all.

I continue to join my Senate Republican colleagues in urging the Democratic legislative majority to take up legislation to save an estimated 50,000 jobs now at risk following a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling affecting the state’s tipped workers.

In July, the court ruled to change the state’s minimum wage laws and eliminate the tip credit system that thousands of hospitality employees depend on. These changes are set to take effect early next year.

Restaurant owners and servers are concerned that this ruling will devastate Michigan’s hospitality industry. A similar policy enacted in Washington, D.C., in 2023 led to the loss of over 3,000 jobs.

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association estimates that one in five restaurants would close and up to 60,000 jobs will be lost in Michigan if the court ruling goes into effect. There is still time for the Legislature to act, and I encourage the Democrat majority to work with us to find a solution and save thousands of Michigan jobs.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. If you do not know where you’re supposed to go to vote, if you don’t know if you’re registered to vote or if you have any other questions, contact your city or township clerk or visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/vote.

On the website, you can enter your first and last name, date of birth and residential ZIP code, and it will give you the address and a map of your polling location. The site also allows voters to view a sample of their ballot and includes information on how to contact your local clerk.

Not registered? Michigan residents can register to vote or update their address online up to two weeks before the Nov. 5 election. You can use your Michigan driver’s license or ID number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register online at Michigan.gov/vote up to 15 days before the election.

During the 14 days leading up to the election, you must register in person at your local clerk’s office. You will be asked to provide proof of residency with a document that includes your name and current address. Acceptable documents include:

Senate Democrats recently passed a package of bills that would compromise voter privacy and place new burdens on local election officials.

Senate Bills 401, 402, 403 and 404 go far beyond the rights and protections guaranteed under both the U.S. and Michigan constitutions. These bills would create a new bureaucracy under the secretary of state that would help interest groups sue local governments and clerks. They would also weaken the sanctity of polling places by allowing individuals — including candidates on the ballot or their volunteers — to enter polling locations and interact with voters waiting in line.

SBs 401-404 were passed along party lines and have been sent to the state House for further consideration.

I recently hosted a nature walk along the Grand River with officials from various state agencies and Grand Valley State University. It was a fantastic opportunity for GVSU students and community members to explore the diverse wildlife and vibrant plant life along the Grand River while learning about the importance of protecting our state’s clean water and preserving our natural resources.

The event started at the lodge in Grand Ravines North County Park with representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and educators from GVSU. An educational open house preceded the nature walk.

It was a great turnout and a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors and learning more about the Grand River, which serves as a vital resource for wildlife and families in our community.

Earlier this month, I spoke on the Senate floor in remembrance of 9/11. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of the thousands of people killed on that tragic day and the brave men and women who became modern-day heroes due to their courageous responses.

We will always remember the selflessness of the United 93 passengers who sacrificed themselves to prevent further tragedy, and the first responders who ran into the twin towers to save lives — and never returned home.

My deepest gratitude goes to our everyday heroes — firefighters, police officers, and military — who protect us daily. May God bless America, our troops, and first responders. Click here or on the image below to watch my Senate remarks.

One of the best parts about living in Michigan is the opportunity to experience all four seasons. As the season changes, it’s time to plan your fall color tour and explore Michigan’s beauty.

To find peak color throughout the state, check out the Pure Michigan fall color map. The Peak Color Report provides weekly updates as the vibrant colors of fall roll across the state, along with travel and activity ideas for exploring Michigan this fall.

Earlier this year, the Natural Resources Commission adopted new deer hunting regulations. While most of the updates will take effect after the 2024 season, some notable updates apply to the current fall season. These include expanded antlerless deer hunting opportunities in parts of the Lower Peninsula, the use of any legal firearm during muzzleloader season in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula, an early antlerless season in September and a later season in December for the Lower Peninsula, and expanded hunting opportunities in January.

For full details, hunters can access the 2024 Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations Summary online or download it using the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Invasive aquatic plants continue to threaten Michigan’s waterways. Hunters are urged to help prevent the spread of these harmful species by following the “Clean, Drain, Dry” method when moving boats, trailers and other gear prior to use in another body of water.

Hunters are asked to take the following precautions to protect Michigan’s waterfowl habitats:

September is College Savings Month, a time to explore Michigan’s education savings programs that help make college or professional certifications available to every student.

More information, along with a college savings calculator, is available at MIsaves.com.

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.