This lame duck session has already started off with several bills moving through the chamber. I recently opposed Senate Bill 1082, which will carve out restrictions that would silence pro-life groups and violate the First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion. This bill started off as something that almost everyone would agree with and quickly became an attack on pro-life voices. I hope you will take a moment to watch my floor speech on this legislation below:

It was an honor to be recognized by the Michigan Association of School Social Workers as one of their two “Legislator of the Year” award recipients. I am proud to stand up for children, mental health, and public education in our state.

But even more, I am thankful for the tireless work of our school social workers who use their expertise to reach into a struggling kid’s life and give them hope. You have given your lives for the health and well-being of the next generation, and I hope that we in the Legislature will continue to provide you with the tools you need to do this essential work.

Michigan’s 6,000 miles of state-designated snowmobile trails are open now through March 31. Trails are groomed when there is enough snow on the ground. The state’s extensive trail network is made possible by the nearly 1,900 private landowners who allow use of their land, connecting DNR trails to communities across the state. Interactive maps of the trail network are available, which show designated snowmobile trails, shared-use trails, closures, parking lots, and more.

Trail permits for the 2024-25 season are now available and enable you to ride authorized, state-designated trails and thousands of miles of public roads. Permits can be purchased:

Michigan will host its third annual Free Snowmobile Weekend on Jan. 17-19. During this weekend, riders can enjoy DNR-designated trails without needing a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

For more information on snowmobile regulations, visit Michigan.gov/snowmobiling.

I had a very productive meeting in Antrim County with the Area Seniors Inc. leadership team. They presented one of the best and most well put-together funding requests I have ever seen for an indoor recreational facility in Bellaire.

I am very excited to support this project, as it will bring communities together, provide resources for different age groups, and most importantly, will provide more opportunities for families that live in this area year-round.

During the month of December, many Michigan residents are making plans for their holiday or year-end giving. It is important to be cautious and ask the right questions before donating.

Here are some tools to help you make safe charitable donations and avoid scams this season:

For more information on how to evaluate a charity, visit the Michigan Attorney General Consumer Protection website

I am pleased to send along this newsletter with important contact information for local, state and federal agencies serving veterans and their families. Please do not hesitate to contact me with ideas, questions or if you need assistance with any state matter. You can view the full guide by clicking here or on the image below.

As temperatures drop, many in our communities may find themselves needing help to heat their homes this winter. The state of Michigan offers several energy assistance programs to help eligible senior and low-income households keep or restore utility services. Immediate relief may be available through a network of nonprofit organizations and other financial assistance programs.

Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are in need of 911 system upgrades. My office worked with Bryce Tracy from Mackinac County EMS to pull together a meeting with legislators and 911 Authority members from across our region to discuss the need for Computer Aided Dispatching “CAD” upgrades for our first responders and operators.

Our first responders and their dispatch teams handle plenty of obstacles unique to working in Northern Michigan but face even more challenges during the summer boom of tourist season. These professionals service a significant portion of the state’s population throughout the year, and they need support to effectively upgrade their systems.

We need to find the funding to upgrade these systems effectively. I hope legislators from across the state will join me in this critical effort.

Michigan’s winter weather can make driving dangerous. A little preparation before you head out can go a long way to ensure you arrive safely at your destination.

The Michigan State Police, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, has several tools you can use to make sure your route will be safe:

Be sure to keep an emergency car kit in your vehicle. Visit this site for a complete list of recommended items to keep and other tips for handling winter driving.

Michigan is home to more than 500 Christmas tree farms that supply nearly 2 million fresh Christmas trees to the national market annually.

With approximately 37,000 acres in commercial Christmas tree production, Michigan ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas trees harvested. For every Christmas tree harvested, Michigan Christmas tree farmers plant three new trees for future harvests.

Michigan’s 37th Senate District includes Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Leelanau counties and portions of Mackinac and Chippewa counties.