2019 State of the State address
I welcomed Bob Young of Presque Isle County and Ken and Brenda Borton of Otsego County to the Michigan Capitol as my guests for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2019 State of the State address. Young is the owner of Young Appliance in Alpena, and Ken Borton is chair of the Otsego County Board of Commissioners and board president of the Michigan Association of Counties.

We have achieved much over the last eight years to make Michigan better — turning around a decade of decline, helping create more than half a million Michigan jobs, and reducing our unemployment to its lowest point since 2000.

We need to work together to build on that record of success and improve our state for families, workers and job creators.

Fixing the roads, protecting our water, preparing our students for success, reducing the cost of car insurance, and enhancing government efficiency and accountability are all critical parts to continuing Michigan’s comeback.

I look forward to seeing the governor’s budget recommendation in March and working with her to invest in these priorities while also growing our economy, increasing opportunity and keeping Michigan working.

Use caution on winter roads
Most winter driving crashes are caused by drivers going too fast for the roadway conditions. The Michigan State Police (MSP) reminds drivers that it can take up to 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy weather. Drivers should be prepared to look ahead and begin braking well in advance of an intersection. The MSP also advises motorists to stay with the vehicle if stranded and wait for help.

Visit the MI Drive website at www.michigan.gov/drive for traffic information on state highways, including traffic cameras, incidents, and snowplow locations.

Free fishing this weekend!
Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend is Feb. 16-17. During the weekend, all fishing license fees will be waived and vehicles will be able to enter state parks and use boating sites without a recreation passport.

Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland lakes and the Great Lakes for all species of fish, but all fishing regulations still apply.

Visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing for information on special events and activities.

Remember that ice fishing can be dangerous if people do not follow safety procedures or head out on the ice unprepared. For those who have not tried winter fishing, an Ice Fishing Basics article online features good safety advice and basics on getting started and commonly used equipment.

Senate puts priority on reducing auto insurance rates The first Senate bill of the new legislative term addresses the number one problem for many Michigan motorists — the high cost of auto insurance.

Michigan drivers pay the highest car insurance rates in the country, averaging more than 80 percent higher than the national average! While the issue has been debated for some time, new legislation could finally help fix the problem and modernize the system. Senate Bill 1 would reduce the cost of auto insurance, offer more insurance options, and ensure accident victims have the medical care they need.

Some of the goals of the Senate auto insurance reform include:

• Allowing drivers to choose the personal injury protection coverage that best meets their needs and budget;
• Reducing medical cost inflation related to auto insurance claims;
• Cracking down on fraud and conflicts of interest; and
• Allowing seniors on Medicare to use that coverage to cover their medical costs.

By making car insurance more affordable, the bill also aims to reduce the number of uninsured drivers.

Reserve campsites online
Warm, sunny weather may seem far away in January, but it’s not too early to think about booking a campsite at a Michigan state park!

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds campers that many popular sites fill up early, especially those closer to the water. Campsite reservations can be made up to six months prior to the date of arrival online at www.midnrreservations.com.

2019 is the 100-year anniversary of Michigan state parks. Find more information on our natural and recreational treasures at www.michigan.gov/stateparks. A state recreation passport is needed for park entry; campsite fees are extra.