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McBroom joins call for secretary of state to reopen offices for walk-in service
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Many of my Senate colleagues and I have urged Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to reopen local branch offices for walk in service.
Recently, I testified before the House Oversight Committee about problems constituents have experienced. Other officials, including former secretary of state, Sen. Ruth Johnson, also provided testimony.
Michigan is reopening, and that is great because people are getting back to work and returning to a more normal way of life. Unfortunately, the secretary of state’s office has thus far refused to allow people to come in for walk in service. Scheduling an appointment with the SOS is great if doing so fits a person’s needs but that is not always the case and the state can’t assume that it does.
As it is right now, the average wait time for an appointment is three to five months. That’s not acceptable. People aren’t expecting such a delay when they try to schedule service, especially since there’s not been a problem like this in the past. By the time they get an appointment things like licenses and plate tabs may have already expired, which brings its own problems. For U.P. residents in particular, it is also not a given that people have the connectivity to book an appointment online and there are issues with getting an appointment over the phone.
Those who do not have computer access should call 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424) to schedule an appointment. Also, U.P. residents who have been unsuccessful getting appointments scheduled for technical reasons may contact his office at [email protected] or 517-373-7840 and staff may be able to assist.
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Line 5 debate at critical stage
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I recently joined Senate and House Republican colleagues for a press conference to discuss the economic impact of shutting down Line 5.
It was on the same day that workers’ helmets were placed on the Capitol lawn to represent the number of people’s jobs that are at risk of elimination because of the Gov. Whitmer administration’s extremist environmentalist policy fueling her desire to shut down Line 5.
Line 5 is critical to Michigan’s, our country’s and Canada’s economies. The energy pipeline is a lifeblood for so many of what we rely on economically, and shutting it down with no replacement would be crushing. We needn’t look any further than the recent suspension of the Colonial Pipeline in the southern U.S. to see what kind of impact we would face in the U.P. and the region.
Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel need to back off and let Enbridge proceed with building the Line 5 tunnel to improve safety and most importantly, to continue supporting jobs and delivering an energy solution for the Midwest and Canada.
To see more of what I am doing to fight for Line 5 on behalf of the U.P., check out my videos at https://www.senatoredmcbroom.com/video/.
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Senate approves budget plan
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The Michigan Senate voted recently to pass a fiscal year 2022 budget plan focused on building healthy families and communities, a healthier economy, and a healthy future for the people of Michigan.
The 17-bill budget plan includes $72 million for competitive and need-based scholarships for higher education students, $40 million in the Going Pro program to provide grants to support employee training, $30 million for the Michigan Reconnect program to provide support for community college and vocational training, $77 million to provide child care for more families, and $161 million for wage increases for direct care workers and front-line workers at child care institutions.
Senate Bill 83 would invest $15.8 billion in K-12 education, an increase of $249 million. The bill would increase the minimum foundation allowance to $8,361 per pupil, dedicate an additional $20 million to assist students dealing with mental health challenges and boost preschool funding by $32 million to help reduce class sizes. It also dedicates $1.7 billion to help cover the costs of school employee retirement.
The bills prioritize more revenue sharing funding for local governments, more resources for state road and bridge construction, $2.2 billion for local transportation infrastructure projects, a 50% boost for grants to help struggling veterans with expenses, and a new program to incentivize local governments to reduce their long-term debts.
SBs 77 and 79-94 now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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Supporting broadband expansion legislation
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The Legislature recently approved legislation aimed at expanding broadband access to rural areas of Michigan, for a second time. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently vetoed similar legislation, stating that the bill did not require a high enough internet speed.
Senate Bill 46 would promote investment in broadband equipment with the hope of bringing more high-speed internet infrastructure and service to underserved areas of the state. The legislation aims to prompt investors to upgrade their equipment and expand services to areas that currently do not offer high-speed internet. The new bill also includes enhanced speed requirements.
Unfortunately, the legislation was vetoed by the governor.
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LifeChanger of the Year award nominations
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LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. The program, sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. This award is for any school district employee who is retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. For more information or to nominate someone, please visit http://app.lifechangeroftheyear.com/nominate.cfm.
Nominations for the 2021-2022 program will remain open through June 7, 2021.
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Wildlife Habitat Grant application period now open
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Now through June 4, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program is accepting applications for habitat improvement and enhancement projects.
Funding is available for local, state, federal and tribal governments, profit and nonprofit groups, and individuals through an open, competitive process. Minimum grant amounts will be set at $15,000, with the maximum being the amount of funds available for the grant cycle. The 2021 overall available grant amount is approximately $1 million.
The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program began in October 2013 and is funded from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. The DNR administers the program to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of game species habitat in support of the Wildlife Division’s strategic plan.
Applications will be accepted from April 19 to June 4 through the MiGrants system. Projects enhancing game species habitat will be given priority. Successful grant applications will be announced in August 2021.
More information and the detailed program handbook is available at Michigan.gov/DNRGrants.
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Michigan's 38th Senate District
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The 38th State Senate District includes the counties of Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.
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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 38th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.
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Senator Ed McBroom
7200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
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