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 account. 

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

Despite record investment in education, Michigan students continue to fall behind. Test scores are dropping, and three out of four students aren’t reading at grade level. Michigan ranks among the bottom 10 states for educational outcomes.

The current approach isn’t working. We must raise the bar for students and teachers, and get back to the basics — reading, writing and math. Local school districts should be empowered to make the decisions, not bureaucrats in Lansing.

That starts with passing a budget that shifts funding and control to local schools. We should trust those closest to students, parents and teachers over those who created this education crisis.

I am so excited to see the progress on the new Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge replacement that began in late March.

Replacing this aging bridge and updating the obsolete I-96 interchange will improve safety, access and quality, while helping support continued economic growth and business investment. After nearly a decade of working with the city of Walker, the Michigan Department of Transportation and legislative leaders, I was able to secure $25 million in 2023 for this critical infrastructure improvement — providing a real solution to a real problem facing our community.

The $30 million project will replace the 64-year-old Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge, widen the roadway by two lanes from 3 Mile Road to Northridge Drive, reconfigure the interchange, and create a safe passageway for pedestrians, cyclists and families on both sides of the bridge.

To help keep you and your family informed about this and other road construction projects in West Michigan, my office has created an interactive map to provide the latest information.

Visit SenatorMarkHuizenga.com/Roads or click on the image below to see where road construction projects are happening in our region. Check in with our social media for updates on road projects as new developments occur. (Photo credit to James DeWinter)

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, July 21, 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.

I was honored to participate in an interview with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) about ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. In the “My District” article, I shared my reflections about what the art competition means to me, our Grand Rapids community and all of West Michigan.

The NCSL was created by state legislators and legislative staff in 1975 to serve America’s 50 states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia. It offers bipartisan policy research, training resources and technical assistance for state lawmakers and their staff, as well as a variety of opportunities to connect and collaborate.

Click here to read the interview article.

For over three decades, the Coopersville Observer has been a trusted source of news for the local community. The paper shares local news stories, uplifting community highlights and advertisements that support local businesses.

My office was honored to present a congratulatory tribute and express our appreciation for the Observer’s continued positive impact on the community.

Congratulations to Simplicity Communications on its new location in downtown Grand Rapids.

Simplicity not only provides top-notch technology and services, but it also builds lasting relationships with clients and delivers unforgettable customer service.

My office was honored to present Simplicity with a congratulatory tribute in celebration of its new location.

If you know of an organization that deserves special recognition, please let our office know and we will consider a tribute for them.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, must complete an approved hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Michigan.

Hunter safety education classes are typically offered in the spring or fall, ahead of turkey and deer seasons. This summer, the Department of Natural Resources has added more than 40 additional classes during Hunter Safety Education Week, which takes place Aug. 11-17.

There are four options to complete hunter safety education in Michigan, all of which require at least four hours of in-person instruction:

For more information or to register, visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation.

Those interested in volunteering as instructors can also find details on the DNR website.

Asian longhorned ticks have been identified in Michigan for the first time. They are light brown and can easily be mistaken for other species. An adult female tick can grow to the size of a pea when full of blood. Other stages of the tick are much smaller and may be only the size of a sesame seed or less.

Asian longhorned ticks were first identified in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, they have spread to 21 states, including Indiana and Ohio. Ticks may be moved by animals, people or equipment.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development offers this video to help protect you and your pets. MDARD also recommends:

More information is available on Michigan’s Emerging Diseases website.

Michigan dairy cows produce nearly 12 billion pounds of milk each year. Most of the milk, ice cream and dairy products you buy in Michigan come from our own dairy farms.

The dairy industry contributes $15.7 billion to the state’s economy, and Michigan ranks fifth in the nation for ice cream production.

This month is a great time to support Michigan dairy farmers by enjoying some local ice cream.

Wild turkey numbers in Michigan have rebounded from near extinction in the early 20th century and can now be found in every county across the state.

The DNR is encouraging residents to participate in the wild turkey brood survey to help assess the state’s current turkey population. Participants are asked to report sightings of wild turkeys, including the number of hens (adult females), poults (juvenile turkeys) and gobblers or jakes (adult or young males), along with the date and location.

The brief, seven-question survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is open through Aug. 31.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is partnering with Lansing Community College to host Career Fest on July 22-23.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore more than 100 career opportunities, from engineering to administration. Attendees will meet MDOT staff, hear about open positions and learn about qualification requirements.

The in-person session will take place July 22 at LCC’s West Campus. A virtual session will follow on July 23.

For more information or to register, visit Michigan.gov/MDOT/Careers.

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.