Dear Friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. As always, I hope you find the news and information below helpful. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you feel may be interested.

My staff and I are available should you have any thoughts or concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact my office at [email protected] or at 517-373-1777.

Sincerely,

Kevin Daley
State Senator
26th District

I recently had the privilege of hosting a group of bright and engaged students from Gates Elementary School in Davison, including a visit to the House floor with state Rep. David Martin! These young minds are our future leaders, and it was an absolute pleasure to show them around our state Capitol and share insights into the legislative process.

I recently hosted in-district office hours. I appreciate everyone who took the time to join and share their concerns with me. Your input matters!

All 18 members of the Senate Republican caucus sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, chief of engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urging them to expedite the state and federal permitting processes required for the construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel Project for Line 5.

The Great Lakes Tunnel Project, originally scheduled to begin in 2021 and be operational in 2024, is critical to ensuring energy affordability and stability in Michigan. Now, a decision on permitting is not expected until at least 2026.

Michigan uses more propane for residential purposes than any other state, and more than half of that propane comes through Line 5.

Line 5 also provides jobs to over 6,000 Michigan residents and over $464 million in labor income. Tens of thousands of jobs are dependent upon Line 5 in downstream industries such as refineries, manufacturers, airports, and businesses that rely upon all the energy products coming from the line.

With winter around the corner, the millions of Michigan residents who rely on the propane from Line 5 to keep their families warm deserve better than continued delays from state and federal agencies. The Great Lakes Tunnel Project must be completed to protect this critical energy source.

In 2019, Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass much-needed reforms to Michigan’s broken car insurance system.

Four short years later, just as Michigan drivers were finally finding relief from some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, bills were passed in the Michigan Senate to undo some of those reforms.

The changes gut the 2019 reforms. The Department of Insurance and Financial Services says the bills would raise rates and lead to more people driving without insurance.

As Michigan residents continue to struggle with record inflation, gas prices, interest rates, and food prices, a massive hike in car insurance rates is the last thing they can afford right now.

I recently rose to speak on an important amendment I introduced to House Bill 4568, legislation that would remove the prohibition on paying for a vehicle to transport voters to an election. With the amendment I proposed, it would have been illegal to display any campaign or political material in the car used to transport voters.

This measure was intended to create a fair and unbiased environment as voters travel to the polls. In our democracy, it’s essential that the voting process remains free from undue influence, ensuring that voters can make informed, independent choices. My amendment was designed to uphold these commonsense principles. It was defeated by Senate Democrats on a party-line vote.

Senate Democrats have passed a series of bills to repeal commonsense safeguards to protect the health of women seeking abortions.

Last year, voters approved Proposal 3, making abortion legal in Michigan. However, they kept in place laws that protect the health and safety of women. Michigan residents support protecting a woman’s right to know the risks associated with medical procedures, including abortion procedures.

Senate Democrats’ bills would exempt abortion clinics from licensing requirements and inspections or the reporting of vital statistics, including abortion procedures resulting in the injury or death of a patient.

All patients should have the right to basic safety standards ensured by proper oversight and transparency. Senate Republicans support providing funding for adoption services and maternal health care, protecting babies with Downs syndrome, and continuing screenings to make sure a woman is not coerced into having an abortion. We will do all we can to keep in place these crucial health and safety requirements.

Fallen leaves and branches and flower beds that need to be cleared before the snow flies mean afternoons spent cleaning up our yards. While there are benefits to cutting branches before they are weighed down with snow and ice, there are also benefits to waiting until spring to fully clear out all the leaves. Here are a few tips for your annual fall cleanup:

Michigan is the third largest apple producer in the nation. With more than 14.9 million apple trees across 34,500 acres and 775 family-run farms throughout the state, apples are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in Michigan.

This year’s apple crop is expected to yield 32 million bushels — the second year in a row Michigan will harvest an above-average crop. Those apples will be sold at one of Michigan’s 150 farmers markets and cider mills in more than 12,000 retail grocery stores in 32 states and 18 countries.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are our nation’s highest honors given to teachers for K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since the program was established by Congress in 1983, more than 5,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom.

Anyone — principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the public — may nominate an exceptional science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher. Nominations for this year’s outstanding K-6 educators to receive the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are now open.

My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.

Michigan Senate website: www.senate.michigan.gov
Michigan House of Representatives website: www.house.michigan.gov
Michigan Legislature website: www.legislature.mi.gov
Michigan Citizen’s Guide: Citizen’s Guide to State Government, 102nd Legislature