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Dear Friends,

To better serve you, I am offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email [email protected]. Also, please check out my Facebook page. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Working for you,

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Mark Huizenga
State Senator

Three Free weekend June 8-9

June 8 and 9 are this summer’s Three Free weekend when residents and visitors can fish, ride off-road trails, or visit state parks and state-managed boating access sites for free.

More than 4,000 miles of state-designated ORV routes, trails, and scramble areas are free to use without ORV license or trail permit requirements. All state parks and boating access points are open to visitors without Recreation Passports. All fishing regulations and ORV rules and laws apply.

To locate family-friendly fishing locations, visit the interactive Family Friendly Fishing Waters map. Locations on this map are easy access and have a high likelihood of catching fish. Locations can be filtered by the type of fish you want to catch, what kind of fishing you are looking for (boat, pier, shore), and what amenities you would like (swimming, restrooms, etc.). You can even print a free certificate to commemorate a child’s first catch.

 
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June district office hours

I am holding in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from people about the issues they are facing is an important part of representing everyone in West Michigan. These meetings give local residents a chance to express their viewpoints about what needs to be done and offer help to people dealing with a variety of state issues.

This month, I will also be available to meet with constituents at the following dates, times and locations:

Monday, June 17, from noon to 1 p.m. at Mr. Burger, 5181 Northland Drive NE, in Plainfield Township.
Monday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to noon at New Beginnings, 25 68th Ave. N, in Coopersville.
Friday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to noon at Interurban Depot Cafe, 1580 Arch St., in Wright Township.

Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary. Anyone who is unable to attend the office hours may contact my office.

Tour of Grand Rapids airport improvements

I recently took a behind-the-scenes tour of upgrades at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which has experienced tremendous growth over the years. The airport currently serves over 100 flights per day and contributes more than $3 billion annually in economic activity in the West Michigan region.

In the last few years, the airport has undergone major construction upgrades, including a $110 million project to accommodate passenger growth by renovating Concourse A, which added an additional 155,000 square feet to Michigan’s second largest airport. Renovations also included a new concession and retail concept extension that features many local businesses.

The airport is now undergoing further construction to add a second-level executive lounge and additional amenities for passengers.

 
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New medical care bills signed into law

Two bipartisan bills have recently been signed into law to help make medical care more accessible and affordable to Michigan residents.

Public Act 41 of 2024 requires insurers to provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments in the same way they cover physical health treatments. This new law will ensure that Michigan residents will have access to vital mental health treatment. The law mirrors federal law and closes loopholes that have allowed providers to avoid covering these services in the past.
Public Act 48 of 2024 will allow the state to develop its own accreditation process for paramedics. Currently, the only path to becoming a paramedic in Michigan is through one national training and exam program. This system makes the process too costly for many qualified professionals. This new law will expand accreditation options for paramedics to include a state-administered exam, making this career path more accessible and affordable and will help fill the nearly 1,000 unfilled paramedic positions in our state.
 

Visit your local farmers markets

Nearly 400 farmers markets operate across Michigan, giving customers access to locally produced, farm-fresh foods and the opportunity to develop face-to-face relationships with the farmers who grow them. Programs like the Senior Project Fresh program and SNAP are accepted at most local farmers markets and make fresh, local produce available to even more Michigan residents.

Local farmers markets are also a valuable tool for farmers, providing new farmers and other small businesses with a low-barrier entry point to test the market and grow their business. These markets stimulate local economies and have become an important part of many Michigan communities.

To find a farmers market in your area, visit mifma.org.

 
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West Michigan Aviation Academy tour

I recently visited the West Michigan Aviation Academy, which is a tuition-free public charter high school for grades 9-12. It is located on the campus of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.

The school was founded in 2010 and has grown tremendously since then. It often draws students from 40 to 50 schools across a seven-county area. It is open to any Michigan student, although enrollment is limited to 620 students in total.

The academy provides a unique educational opportunity for students to focus on high-growth employment fields during their high school education, such as aviation, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), and robotics.

 
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Michigan on the hunt for the 2024 state Christmas tree 

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget is looking for a Christmas tree to be displayed in front of the state Capitol throughout the 2024 holiday season.

Since 1985, trees have been selected for this honor from every corner – and peninsula – of the state. To be considered, a tree must meet the following criteria:

Must be a spruce or fir.
Must be at least 60 feet tall with a maximum crown of 24 feet and a maximum trunk diameter of 30 inches.
Must be easy to access from the road, with no interference from wires.
Must be available at no cost.
 

The designated tree will be harvested and transported to Lansing, where it will be the central attraction in the tree-lighting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 22, at the 40th Annual Silver Bells in the City celebration in downtown Lansing.

Individuals who want to nominate a tree are asked to email their name, telephone number, a photograph of the tree, and information about its size and location to [email protected]. The deadline for tree nominations is Aug.19.

June is Great Outdoors Month

With 106 state parks and recreation areas and endless miles of shorelines that come from our thousands of rivers, streams, and lakes, it could not be easier to celebrate Great Outdoors Month in Michigan. Whether you prefer hiking, fishing, mountain biking or camping, there is always a new outdoor adventure to enjoy.

 
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Serving the people of West Michigan is very important to me and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may contact me by calling toll-free 1-855-347-8030 or emailing [email protected].

I look forward to serving you, and I encourage you to contact me if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Senator Mark Huizenga
201 Townsend St., Suite #7200
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Visit my website at:
SenatorMarkHuizenga.com

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