This legislative year started out on the wrong foot, to put it simply.

Gamesmanship and partisan politics plague both chambers of our state Legislature, and we have too many important issues at hand to squabble over useless politics. After a month of almost no action, I issued a call on the Senate floor to rise above and do what’s right for our constituents. Please take a moment to watch below:

After months of inaction by Democrats and warnings from Republicans, servers and restaurant owners across the state, Senate leadership finally provided an opportunity for discussions that ultimately led to a compromise on the tipped wage credit.

The solution wasn’t perfect, but it does prevent out-of-state interests from coming to Michigan and forcing many of our businesses to close their doors — putting hospitality workers out of a job. I am happy my Republican colleagues and I were able to force changes to this overbearing law.

However, more work needs to be done, and we need to shift our focus to fixing the paid sick time changes that are set to take effect next week as well. I’ve spoken to countless business owners, and this is a far bigger concern for many of them.

While I am happy we were able to get the tipped wage compromise done, I won’t consider this a victory until we finish the job and get a reform to the paid sick time proposal on the governor’s desk as well.

This month, I introduced Senate Bill 71, continuing my long-standing effort to officially designate the Mackinac Bridge as “critical infrastructure” in the state of Michigan. This essential and iconic structure is an identifying symbol of our state.

It is not only in the best interests of our residents here in Michigan, but across the nation as a symbol of national defense. This structure is one of the most critical in the nation and must be protected. My bill will ensure that the bridge is afforded the protections it rightfully deserves. Now is not the time for games; it is time to get this done.

I introduced legislation this month to exempt tips earned by the state’s hospitality workers from income taxes in the state of Michigan.

Tourism and hospitality are both incredibly important to the Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula economies, and a lot of people are concerned with rising costs and how they are going to make ends meet. My goal in introducing this legislation is to provide some level of alleviation of these everyday concerns for these workers.

My legislation, Senate Bill 91, largely mirrors federal proposals and would provide a 100% exemption for income earned as a tip.

A tip is earned by an employee going above and beyond and can fluctuate greatly based on an immeasurable number of factors. The government already gets its hands on enough of people’s money, and this is just one of many ways we can provide some financial relief. I hope this legislation opens the door for other forms of tax relief for Michigan workers as well.

I am hopeful that this legislation could also serve as a protective layer should the deal to save Michigan’s tipped wage provisions fails to come to fruition.

Eliminating the tax burden on tipped earnings is a way to raise wages for hospitality workers without burdening or driving up costs for businesses.

I recently joined Sen. Michael Webber in introducing legislation that would implement mobile panic alert systems throughout the state’s public and nonpublic schools to ensure real-time coordination between schools, 911, law enforcement and first responders.

These alert systems provide a framework to connect schools with emergency responders during security emergencies, such as non-fire evacuations, lockdowns and active shooter situations. This real-time communication allows rapid coordination and responses to keep staff and students safe.

Senate Bill 76 would amend Michigan’s Revised School Code to require public and nonpublic schools to implement mobile panic alert systems beginning with the 2025-26 school year. My bill, SB 77, would amend the state school aid budget to make $6.7 million available during the current fiscal year for schools to begin implementation.

The technology is available — we’ve seen it work in other states. The ability to rapidly coordinate a multi-layered response in the event of an emergency would be a tremendous asset for our schools and a great use of the surplus funding that was recently predicted.

School panic alert system legislation, often referred to as Alyssa’s Law, has been enacted in Florida, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Texas. Bills have also been introduced in Arizona, Nebraska, Georgia, Virginia and Oregon. Other states, including Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Delaware and North Carolina, have provided funding for school panic alert systems without requiring the systems by law.

I am pushing hard for the passage of Senate Bill 41, my bill to designate a portion of M-22 in Leelanau County as the “Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway.” These brave sharpshooters played a pivotal role in the Union Army’s battle against slavery during the American Civil War.

“Company K was the largest, all-Indian regiment in the Union Army during the Civil War. Ojibway and Odawa men from all over Michigan made up Company K. A number of Odawa from Harbor Springs, Cross Village and Petoskey joined, including a chief from Petoskey, Daniel Mukewenah. Company K fought in some of the worst battles of the Civil War. Some even were captured and sent to the infamous Andersonville Confederate prison camp. Company K fought bravely and proved their valor, but not all the men survived. Several Odawa from Company K are buried in Cross Village, Harbor Springs and Mackinac Island,” said Eric Hemenway, director of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Archives.

It is so important to stand up for our veterans and recognize the incredible sacrifice, dedication, and valor they exhibit in the defense of our nation. I am humbled and proud to sponsor this bill. The legislation made it out of committee this month and awaits a vote on the full Senate floor.

My office has seen an uptick in casework recently from individuals being scammed out of savings by fraudulent actors. We have been successful in some cases, helping to make sure the stolen money gets back to its rightful owner, but these bad actors are still working to undermine the security systems protecting our finances.

As we investigated this issue further, we learned about several excellent resources provided by the Michigan Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. I would encourage you to take a moment to visit the websites below and review the infographic to make sure you and your loved ones do not become the victims of these terrible crimes.

This Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, all fishing license fees are waived for residents and visitors during the annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend.

Get out and enjoy Michigan’s frozen lakes and rivers safely!

It was a real joy to join U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman and my friends at North Central Michigan College earlier this month for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the college’s career and technical education enhancement building.

This project is so important to me. I worked to help secure an almost $10 million appropriation in the Senate. This new building will grow innovative education programs in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades. These are crucial to our continued growth for talent recruitment and retention in Northern Michigan. As parents, we all know the need to help create an economy where our kids can build careers right here at home.

The annual Run for the Trees: Happy Little (virtual) 5K is back! This popular event raises money to support tree planting and forest conservation efforts in state parks.

Inspired by Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, the virtual 5K can be completed anywhere between April 19-27. Participants can even choose from 13 participating states they’d like to represent. Every registrant will receive a Happy Little T-shirt, commemorative bib and finisher’s medal. Registration is encouraged by April 1, but will remain open until April 15, while inventory lasts.

With recent outbreaks of avian influenza (HPAI) throughout Michigan and the Midwest, many have asked if backyard bird feeders can contribute to the spread. While most backyard birds are at low risk of HPAI, the virus is present in some wild bird populations in the Great Lakes. Most cases occur in waterfowl and scavengers like eagles, hawks, and owls, but other wild birds, including shorebirds and gulls, can harbor the virus.

To help keep birds and yourself safe and healthy, wildlife experts recommend:

Visit the Michigan DNR’s HPAI FAQs page to learn more about the virus and how to keep Michigan’s birds safe.

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