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Dear Friends,

Welcome to the most recent edition of my monthly e-newsletter.

Below you’ll find news out of our state capital and the 26th Senate District that I hope you find helpful and interesting.

As always, my staff and I are here for you. My priority is to listen and understand the issues facing the individuals and families across the state. Please continue to share your thoughts with me at [email protected] or at 517-373-1777.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Michigan Senate. I am grateful each and every day to work for the people of the 26th Senate District.

Sincerely,

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Kevin Daley
State Senator
26th District

Governor signs disappointing 2025 budget bills

The governor recently signed a spending plan for the 2025 fiscal year that significantly increases the size of government, increases state debt, and relies on a permanent tax increase for Michigan taxpayers.

Throughout the budget process, Senate Republicans offered amendments to end corporate subsidies and return that money to taxpayers, repair crumbling bridges, help keep fentanyl out of our communities, and pay down debt. Unfortunately, these amendments were not included in the finalized budget by the Democrat majority.

These fiscally irresponsible budget bills included:

A budget balanced by a $700 million income tax hike. Michigan families are already struggling to pay for basic necessities like groceries and gasoline, and they cannot afford a tax increase to grow state government.
A $670 million raid on the teacher retirement fund. For more than a decade, Republicans have worked diligently to pay down our debts and responsibly fund the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System to ensure these resources will be available for our dedicated teachers.
No increase in per-student funding – for the first time in over a decade. This budget fails to address the needs of Michigan students, who continue to perform worse than their peers in other states.
A 92% cut to student mental health and school safety funding. This tragic and unnecessary cut further fails our students.
Millions of taxpayer dollars in corporate welfare. We should be spending taxpayer dollars on vital infrastructure needs that benefit all Michigan residents, not corporate handouts.
 

Public Act 120 of 2024 is a school aid omnibus budget bill providing funding for the state’s K-12 schools, public universities and local community colleges. Public Act 121 of 2024 is a general omnibus budget bill funding all non-education segments of state government.

New hunting regulations

On July 11, the Natural Resources Commission met to review and adopt scheduled deer hunting regulations. While most of the updates will not go into effect until after the 2024 season has ended, some notable updates for the current fall season were adopted, including an expansion of antlerless deer hunting opportunities in parts of the Lower Peninsula. The commission also approved the use of any legal firearm in the northern half of the lower peninsula during muzzleloader season, an early antlerless season in September and a later season in December for the lower peninsula, and expanded hunting opportunities in January.

Regulations that remain in place for the 2024 season include:

Baiting regulations remain unchanged from 2023.
Antler point restrictions, with the exception of Deer Management Unit 122, remain unchanged from 2023.
The combination license, with the opportunity for two antlered deer, remains unchanged from 2023.
Early and late antlerless season counties remain unchanged from 2023.
 

A full summary of the updates that apply to the fall 2024 hunting season can be found here.

Early voting begins for Michigan’s Primary Election

Early voting for the Aug. 6 Primary Election began on July 27 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4. Registered Michigan voters across the state can find their local sites and hours at Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting.

Voters who have requested and received absentee ballots can bring their completed ballot to their early voting sites or hand-deliver them to local clerks’ offices or secure drop boxes. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Remember, Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 6, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To learn more about voting and elections in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.

OK2SAY reports continued success

OK2SAY is Michigan’s nationally recognized prevention-based student safety reporting system. The program allows students to confidentially report threatening behavior and empowers students to prevent violence and make their schools safer.

According to the OK2SAY 2023 Annual Report, more than 50,000 tips have been reported since the program was launched in 2014. In 2023, a total of 9,686 tips were reported involving such issues as bullying, threats of suicide, drugs, and sexual assault or misconduct.

Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone, text, email or through the OK2SAY mobile app. Tips can be reported by:

Calling: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
Texting: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Emailing: [email protected]
Visiting the OK2SAY website: www.ok2say.com
Using the OK2SAY mobile app: Available for download in the Apple and Google app stores.
 

More information is available online, including resources for schools, age-appropriate presentations, and resources for students who need additional support.

 
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Constituent Connections

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I had the opportunity to tour DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc. in Davison! It was inspiring to see the dedication and hard work that go into producing the lush lawns that beautify our homes and public spaces.

Meeting with the farmers and learning about their sustainable and innovative practices was enlightening. As a fellow farmer, I am committed to supporting policies that help Michigan agriculture thrive.

Thank you to everyone at DeBuck’s Sod Farm for the warm welcome and for showing me the heart of your operation.

Helpful Resources

Celebrating a special occasion?

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.

State government resources

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


Senator Kevin Daley
5200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Phone: 517-373-1777
FAX: 517-373-5871

E-Mail: [email protected]

Visit my website at: SenatorKevinDaley.com

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