During last Thursday’s Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, I gave testimony on a four-bill package aimed at bringing back a once $1.2 billion horse racing industry.

Senate Bill 396, which I sponsored, allows for Historical Horse Racing (HHR), an electronic gaming system that uses pari-mutuel wagering on randomly selected outcomes of previously run live horse races.

What was once a billion-dollar industry is now hanging by a thread. This package can bring back an industry and generate revenue to put Michigan horse racing on a level playing field with surrounding states.

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The state Senate approved legislation aimed at expanding broadband access after similar legislation was vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Senate Bill 46 would promote investment in broadband equipment with the hope of bringing more high-speed internet infrastructure and service to underserved areas of the state. The legislation aims to prompt investors to upgrade their equipment and expand services to areas that currently do not offer high-speed internet.

The importance of broadband internet has been greatly heightened during the pandemic. During the last year, families across the state have been required to stay at home for work and their children’s education. Michiganders, especially in rural areas, have felt the impact of having unreliable or even no access to the internet.

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Last week, legislation was introduced to provide relief by cutting taxes for owners of small to medium-sized businesses and keeping Michigan’s business tax rate competitive with other states.

In a time when so many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important we do everything we can legislatively to assist them.

Senate Bill 392 would provide income tax relief for businesses by lowering the current tax rate of 6% to 4.9% by 2022. This legislation would help keep Michigan competitive with many states in our area and across the country who have already lowered their tax rates. Kentucky’s tax rate is currently 5%, and Indiana previously lowered their rate to 5.25%, and by July 1, 2021, their tax rate will decrease again to 4.9%.

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As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was addressing the state April 29 announcing the MI VACC to Normal Challenge, Huron County resident were expressing concerns and frustrations with the announcement.

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The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved a bipartisan legislative package to open up criminal record expungement eligibility to first-time drunken driving convictions in Michigan. The bills are now before the full Senate.

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Unlock Michigan, the group looking to repeal a state law that enabled Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is asking the state’s Supreme Court to intervene and send its proposal to the Legislature.

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House Bill 4001 requires state legislators to abstain from voting on bills that could personally benefit them or their families financially. The bill is part of a larger plan to strengthen and improve Michigan’s legislative ethics.

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