Dear Friends,

To better serve you, I am offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 28th Senate District and across our state.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions about any of the content discussed in this e-newsletter or if I can be of assistance to you or your family. You may call toll-free at 1-855-347-8028 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,

Mark E. Huizenga
State Senator

With inflation and gas prices rising dramatically, the time to help Michiganders is now. Republicans in the Legislature have approved multiple initiatives to bring financial relief to Michigan families.

This week, I voted to approve House Bill 5570, which would temporarily suspend the state’s gas and diesel taxes and provide families with much-needed relief. I continue to support all initiatives that keep our costs low while securing America’s energy independence. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

In early March, I voted in favor of Senate Bill 768, which would help every Michigan family by reducing the state’s income tax from 4.25% to 3.9% and creating a $500 tax credit for each child under the age of 19. It would also create a tax deduction for seniors up to $40,000 for individuals and $80,000 for couples and lower the age threshold from 67 to 62. The bill now sits on the governor’s desk.

Over the last decade, Republicans have insisted on responsible spending. This means Michigan’s budget is in a strong position, with an $8 billion budget surplus. However, crippling inflation and out-of-control spending in Washington have increased the price of everyday necessities. The people need relief.

I was recently able to visit several schools throughout the 28th District to read to students in celebration of National Reading Month. Reading is critical to a successful education; and reading to children at a young age can help them develop an interest in learning, foster a creative spirit, and build self-confidence. I have been a lifelong reader – and sharing my love of reading with students is one of my favorite aspects of my job.

Thank you to the students and teachers of Kenowa Hills Public Schools’ Zinser Elementary and Alpine Elementary, Rockford Public Schools’ preschool and Valley View Elementary for welcoming me into your schools.

I have also recorded three videos to virtually share my love for reading with West Michigan children. In the videos, I read “Hedgie’s Surprise,” “If You Take a Mouse to School,” and “‘Slowly, Slowly, Slowly,’ said the Sloth.” Click on the titles to see the videos.

An important part of representing everyone in West Michigan is hearing directly from the people about the issues they are facing. I will be holding in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis. They 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, we already have held in-district office hours at New Beginnings in Grand Rapids.

The next two office hours opportunities are from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 18 at Herman’s Boy, 220 Northland Drive NE in Rockford, and from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 25 at Mr. Burger, 5181 Northland Drive NE in Plainfield.

Office hours are open to all residents and no appointment is necessary. Space is limited at some locations, and people are encouraged to take proper health safety precautions. Anyone who is unable to attend the office hours may contact my office to learn more about my ongoing efforts in Lansing and policy perspectives.

The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved my legislation to authorize flashing lights and a digital speed limit display when road workers are present will to provide greater protection for the workers.

As we debate about how to fix our roads, we must ensure we are doing everything possible to keep the workers who are actually doing the work safe. Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident. One problem is that drivers do not always see the road crews until they are close. By increasing the visibility of these signs and the information on them, we can help increase the protection of our road workers.

In Michigan, the speed limits for freeway work zones change depending on whether workers are present. For these zones, House Bill 5286 would allow the speed limit sign to include lights that flash when workers are at the site and a digital display to indicate the current speed limit.

I want to thank Give ‘Em A Break Safety in Grandville for bringing the signage to Lansing and providing testimony with us.

I introduced the bill in 2021 before being elected to the state Senate in November. The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

I issued the following statement after recent comments from 74th House District candidate Robert Regan to “lie back and enjoy” rape, Regan’s anti-Semitic posts and social media posts about the reality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine:

“As a Christian, a public servant and a father of two daughters, I find Robert Regan’s comments about sexual assault to be revolting and immoral, and I strongly denounce them.

“His statements about Russia’s unprovoked attack of a sovereign country are contrary to our own nation’s values, and his anti-Semitic posts claiming Jewish people control the banks and were behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks are shameful and disgusting.

“Regan’s comments are not reflective of our community, the people of West Michigan, my Republican colleagues, or our great state. We support a world in which men and women can safely live, work and raise a family — free from violence or oppression.”

I supported Senate Resolution 114, a resolution urging policies that will lead to energy independence and lower energy costs in the United States, including ending the state’s efforts to shut down Line 5.

Efforts by the Whitmer and Biden administrations to crush domestic energy production are forcing gas prices to soar, inflation to rise and affecting the budget of every Michigan household. SR 114 urges the governor and Attorney General Nessel to “immediately cease their efforts to shut down the Line 5 pipeline and instead work proactively to lower energy costs for the residents of this state.”

I have introduced legislation to encourage investment into new supply chain technologies by treating equally all fully automated consumer goods handling systems in the state.

This legislation would help modernize our state tax structure to help recognize advances in supply chain technology and make Michigan more competitive for these types of investments. By leveling the playing field for businesses operating these state-of-the-art systems in Michigan, we can encourage large distributers to come to our state and enable our current family businesses to compete with online marketers.

Senate Bills 956, 957 and 958 would exempt fully automated consumer goods handling systems from personal property, use and sales taxes respectively.

At a distribution facility in Eaton County, Meijer uses an advanced fully-automated technology created by Witron in which the technology itself separates, sorts, temporarily stores, recombines, and assembles onto pallets a variety of goods to be then shipped to stores across the state.

Michigan currently has a patchwork of taxing laws for automated handling systems — granting tax exemption for some but not others. The purchase of these systems and their parts are taxed in Michigan — putting us at a competitive disadvantage for these investments because our neighboring states don’t charge personal property tax on these upgrades.

SBs 956-958 have been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. The bills are similar to SBs 1149, 1150 and 1153 that were pocket vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Jan. 4, 2021 without explanation. If the governor does not sign a bill within 14 days after getting it and the Legislature has adjourned to end the legislative session, the bill does not take effect and is said to have been “pocket vetoed.”

The previous measures passed both chambers with bipartisan support, and I hope we get similar support with this effort to help businesses bring new supply chain improvements to our state.

I recently had the pleasure of joining with some of my Senate colleagues at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Grand Rapids to discuss the important roles of people with disabilities and how the government can empower their success. Thank you to Disability Advocates of Kent County for the invitation and for everything you do to help people with disabilities live fulfilling and independent lives.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $20 million in grant funding to assist communities and schools in removing sources of lead from drinking water.

As part of the federal Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, the EPA announced the availability of $10 million for projects to conduct lead service line replacements or implement corrosion control improvements and $10 million for projects that remove sources of lead in drinking water (e.g., fixtures, fountains, outlets and plumbing materials) in schools or childcare facilities.

This grant opportunity consists of a competitive, Request for Application process. Click on www.grants.gov to apply. Applications are due by April 19, 2022. For more information on the WIIN grant programs please visit www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-grants.

The agriculture industry is a critical economic driver for our state. Michigan farms contribute billions to our economy each year through products grown, harvested, processed and prepared in Michigan. Farms also employ a significant portion of the state’s workforce.

March 22 is Ag Day — an annual celebration to recognize the importance of Michigan agriculture to our economy and show our support for Michigan’s hardworking farmers, whose hard work feeds Michigan families and helps keep our grocery store shelves stocked.

One way you can show support for our local family farms is to purchase some “Made in Michigan” products.