Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter.

Below you’ll find an update on what’s happening in your state Capitol and some additional resources I hope you find helpful.

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 34th Senate District.

Sincerely,

Roger Hauck
State Senator
34th Senate District

Democrats in Lansing have once again used their position in the majority to pass an unsustainable and irresponsible budget plan that relies on more debt, higher taxes and taking money out of classrooms.

After blowing through a record $9 billion budget surplus last year, this year Democrats have raided $670 million from the teacher retirement fund and imposed a $700 million income tax hike on hardworking Michigan residents. This budget funds the governor’s Global Michigan office and creates over 450 new government positions, which will strain the budget for years to come.

Perhaps most disappointing is that for the first time in over a decade, Michigan’s classrooms will not receive an increase in per-pupil funding. Their plan cuts the education budget and reduces investment in school safety and student mental health by 92%.

People in Michigan are paying more for less as we all struggle with historically high inflation. This irresponsible budgeting will put our state in a bad position for years to come.

The Senate recently voted to pass historic, bipartisan legislation to increase government transparency by expanding Freedom of Information Act applications to include the governor’s office and state Legislature.

Michigan is one of only a few states that does not require its Legislature and governor to respond to record requests under its FOIA laws. This oversight earned the state an F-grade in government integrity from the national Center for Public Integrity in its 2015 report.

Senate Bills 669 and 670 would add the governor, lieutenant governor, and Legislature to the list of public bodies subject to FOIA. The bills now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.

A second confirmed detection of the invasive spotted lanternfly has been found in Michigan. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia. It was first found in the United States in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania and has since been recorded in at least 17 eastern and midwestern states.

The insect feeds on a wide range of fruit and ornamental and woody trees like the invasive tree of heaven. This pest can have negative effects on specialty crops and be a nuisance in outdoor areas. It moves long distances by hitchhiking or laying egg masses on vehicles, outdoor equipment and firewood.

Prevention and early detection are important to limiting the spread of this and other invasive insects. If you find a spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymph or adult, take one or more photos, make note of the date, time and location of the sighting, and report it online to Eyes in the Field. Photos are necessary to verify a report and will help in identifying an invasive pest.

This summer, the Department of Natural Resources is asking everyone to help prevent the spread of the spotted lanternfly. If you see an insect you suspect is a spotted lanternfly, remember to See it. Squish it. Report it.

Did you know that many of the flowers, fruits and vegetables we grow are dependent on pollinators to produce seeds and fruit?

Michigan State University is offering a free, self-paced online course called Pollinator Champions. The course is packed full of videos, articles, and fun activities to guide you through the amazing world of pollinators and pollination. This research-based course is great for students, beekeepers, insect enthusiasts, gardeners or anyone who would like to learn more about pollination.

Pollinator Champions is open to anyone — you do not have to be an MSU staff or student. The course is free, or for a small fee, you can receive a certificate and additional materials to help with a presentation.