Dear Friends:

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and provide updates about what is going on at Michigan’s Capitol.

I am the state senator for the 18th District – covering all of Barry County and parts of Allegan, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent and Ionia counties. Please feel free to contact me with any issues related to state government at SenTAlbert@senate.michigan.gov, or by calling 517-373-1734 (toll-free at 855-347-8018).

Sincerely,

Thomas Albert
State Senator

I am disappointed that a new state budget was not finalized before the July 1 statutory deadline. I remain hopeful that a new plan will be completed sooner rather than later — well ahead of the start of the state’s new budget year on Oct. 1.

The delay in adopting a budget is most problematic for local schools, which typically like to know what they can expect in state funding as they set their own budgets in the early summer. I introduced a proposal for school funding (Senate Bill 230) in April. Senate Democrats approved their own plan in May, which I opposed because it spends more money without helping to ensure the additional investments improve outcomes for kids. House Republicans approved a plan in June.

The Senate and House must approve a consensus plan before sending it to Gov. Whitmer for her consideration.

Money alone is not going to solve the challenges faced by Michigan schools. In addition to financial investments, we need policy changes that put students first. In early June, I helped introduce a new legislative plan to help revive Michigan’s public schools and return the focus to student achievement.

I have introduced a bill to restore the “Read by Grade Three” law to ensure kids can read or receive remediation before moving on to the next grade. The proposal includes numerous commonsense exemptions to the retention provision. (Senate Bill 376).

Other elements of the Senate Republican plan would:

These bills won’t solve all of the challenges faced by our schools, but they would provide important steps in the right direction.

The bipartisan plan I sponsored with Sen. Sean McCann to improve safety for vulnerable roadway users was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate last month.

The proposal is designed to improve safety for pedestrians, first responders, tow truck drivers, bicyclists and others at risk on our roadways — including motorists pulled over simply to change a tire or wait for assistance. This plan also includes a comprehensive and simplified update to Michigan’s “Move Over” traffic law. It would require motorists to slow down and move over a lane when they encounter any stationary vehicle with flashing, rotating or oscillating lights.

Crashes involving vulnerable roadway users increased by at least 10% in Michigan in 2023, even while the overall number of crashes declined. This legislation is clearly needed.

Senate Bills 216-217 now advance to the House, which has also introduced similar legislation.

I recently joined other Senate Republicans to introduce a plan to restore Michigan’s Right to Work protections and repeal prevailing wage laws passed by Democrats in 2023.

Since Democrats took majority control in Lansing, the economy in Michigan has struggled, and the state now has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Restoring Right to Work would make our state a more attractive place to do business and create more economic opportunity and freedom for workers.

The bill package includes:

With 103 state parks and recreation areas, Michigan offers endless opportunities for summer fun. Enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and boating — plus nature programs at over 30 state park and recreation areas.

Last year, nearly 120,000 guests took part in these free, hands-on nature programs. Explorer guides lead hikes, give talks and spotlight each park's unique resources.

Learn more and find weekly program schedules at Michigan.gov/NaturePrograms. 

Recreation Passports can be purchased through the secretary of state or at park entrances.