| | Serving You We have much to be thankful for as Americans. I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and hope you can gather together this holiday with family and friends and give thanks.
Serving the people of the 36th Senate District is important to me, and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may call toll-free at 1-855-347-8036 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. | | | | | | Governor should quit using northern Michigan as a pawn for tax hike Stealing funding meant for children, veterans and the less fortunate for political gain is shameful and represents the worst kind of politics. Sadly, that is exactly what our governor did.
With bipartisan support, the Michigan Legislature delivered a responsible and balanced budget plan to the governor before the Oct. 1 deadline. The plan increased K-12 education funding by nearly $400 million and invested $400 million more into our roads.
Unfortunately, the governor decided to gut much of it because the budget didn’t include her massive $2.5 billion tax hike on Michigan families. She made a historic 147 line-item vetoes to cut nearly $1 billion in funding, including $375 million in road funding; $128 million from schools; and funding for children with autism, job training and access to health care.
As if her reckless cuts weren’t bad enough, the governor then circumvented our co-equal system of government by taking the unprecedented action of using an administrative board to move $625 million around various departments without legislative or public input.
The governor needs to quit playing games with the lives of northern Michigan families.
She stole vital resources for northern Michigan through her administrative transfers, including $1 million for child advocacy centers, $7.5 million for private well water testing, and funding to study the impact of PFAS on Michigan wildlife and fisheries. She even eliminated $3.5 million in funding for the Centers for Independent Living, which provide support and training for people with disabilities and their families.
The worst part is the governor did it to try to gain political leverage for a 45-cent gas tax increase. Read more
Car insurance fee to drop by 55% for some, be eliminated for others According to an October 2018 report, Michigan drivers pay the highest auto insurance rates in the country — 83% higher than the national average. Our sky-high rates were impacting Michigan families and job providers.
Earlier this year, I proudly supported a bipartisan measure to finally reduce car insurance rates while ensuring that accident victims still receive the medical care they need.
Senate Bill 1 was signed by the governor in May. As a result of this new law, the annual Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) fee of $220 will be reduced to $100 in 2020 for drivers selecting unlimited, lifetime coverage. Drivers who choose other levels of coverage will pay no annual fee at all.
SB 1 will allow Michigan drivers to choose the option that fits the individual needs of their families and will require lower rates for drivers who select limited coverage. | | | Michigan deer firearm season continues until Nov. 30 Michigan offers vast opportunities for hunters, who play an important role in wildlife conservation and management while contributing more than $8 billion to the economy and supporting 35,000 direct jobs.
If you haven’t headed out yet, there’s still time to participate in this year’s deer firearm season, which is open until Saturday, Nov. 30. After that, the state’s deer bow hunting reopens from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1.
For all current information, check out the 2019 hunting digest at www.michigan.gov/hunting. On the site, you can also learn about all other hunting seasons and how to get a license. Residents can buy hunting licenses from a local licensing agent or online 24 hours a day at www.mdnr-elicense.com.
Hunters can also visit www.michigan.gov/mihunt to search public hunting land as well as private land open to the public for hunting. The interactive map application also works on mobile devices and contains the most up-to-date information available. | | | 2019-20 winter travel guides now available Plan your winter getaway now with the new 2019-20 Pure Michigan Winter Travel Guide. The guide highlights cold weather fun and adventure, from snowmobiling to snowshoeing. There’s even features on various winter art festivals and Muskegon’s outdoor sports complex — which includes a world-class, 850-foot-long luge track!
The travel guide also contains shopping and culinary destinations and memorable spots for indoor and outdoor family activities.
To order a printed version or view the digital edition of the travel guide, visit www.michigan.org/travel-guide.
#OptOutside on Black Friday Looking for something to do the day after Thanksgiving instead of lying on the couch recovering after the big feast, watching college football or hunting for the best Black Friday shopping deals?
For the fourth year in a row, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is participating in the #OptOutside movement on Black Friday.
On Friday, Nov. 29, the state will offer free entry into Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas, 138 state forest campgrounds, and state trailheads and boat launches.
Our state’s great outdoors are spectacular and close to home. You’re never more than a half-hour away from a state park, recreation area, state forest campground or state trail. Although the Recreation Passport fee is being waived, all camping, permit and license fees will still apply. Click here for more information about Michigan outdoor activities. | | | | | | The 36th Senate District is made up of 10 counties, which includes: Presque Isle, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda, Alcona, Iosco, Arenac, Gladwin and Midland counties. | Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the 36th Senate District of Michigan. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 36th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website or via Facebook. | Senator Jim Stamas 100 N. Capitol Ave., Room S-324. P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536 Visit my website at: www.SenatorJimStamas.com | | | | | |