Dear West Michigan,

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and provide updates about what is going on in Lansing.

My team has been hard at work trying to ensure your voice is heard at our state Capitol. I hope this newsletter will help to provide you with some insight into the work I have been doing and other important updates on state government.

Please feel free to contact me with any issues regarding your state government. You may call toll-free at 855-347-8031 or email SenRVictory@senate.michigan.gov. For more updates, check out my Facebook page or follow me on X. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our great state forward.

Working for you,

This month, I introduced a bill to help fix local roads. Senate Bill 448 would partner with local communities and match every dollar they invest in their local roads with state funding to double the impact of those local funds.

Local roads have been neglected by the state for too long, and it’s time for us to get serious about funding critical infrastructure that impacts everyday Michiganders. Communities like Ottawa and Allegan counties have already been investing in their local roads, and we have seen the impact this has on quality. I hope this bill encourages them to continue, and even more communities across Michigan to join them.

My bill would invest roughly $500 million in state funding to partner with local communities and improve our local roads. These state dollars would require local governments to match funds with their local revenue that would go to improve their local roads. This could mean up to $10 billion over the next decade invested in local roads.

I have sponsored legislation to address the housing crisis here in Michigan. Senate Bill 442 would allow nonprofits that build housing developments serving the middle class to receive a property tax exemption for the lesser of five years or until transfer of ownership.

This exemption already applies to nonprofits that build low-income housing. The property tax burden remains a significant barrier for nonprofits actively working to help tackle the housing crisis. My bill would promote the building of more houses for middle-income individuals and families.

In my district alone, we face a shortage of over 5,000 for-sale housing units for individuals earning around the area median income. These individuals include teachers, nurses, first responders, and many others who are unable to plant roots in Michigan due to high housing costs.

Michigan’s population is declining, and making homeownership more attainable can reverse the trend. This bill would allow Michigan to compete with our counterparts across the Midwest, make homeownership more attainable for young professionals in our state, and retain our homegrown talent.

This month, my office was able to meet with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regarding the Grand Haven Harbor dredging project. This effort will help large freighters navigate through the harbor. Furthermore, the project allows for materials dredged from the harbor to be used to help build roads in our state. The dredging project was put on hold this year by EGLE.

EGLE has now divided the Grand Haven Harbor into two parts, the Outer Harbor and Inner Harbor and decided that the Outer Harbor and parts of the Inner Harbor can be dredged this summer. However, the lack of dredging in parts of the Inner Harbor will make it harder for freighters to navigate the harbor and cause Michigan to lose out on important aggregate materials.

Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to reverse Michigan’s academic decline and refocus on student success.

Michigan now ranks 44th in the nation for fourth grade reading scores, falling 12 spots since 2019, according to the Nation’s Report Card.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress report found that three out of four Michigan students are not proficient in reading at grade level. It also showed that 63% of fourth graders and 76% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.

The Republican plan would:

In 2023, Democrats made major changes to Michigan’s energy laws that will raise energy prices for families and small businesses and threaten the stability of our electrical grid.

Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to end these unaffordable and unreliable energy mandates, restore local control on zoning decisions and lower costs for consumers.

The package includes:

Affordable and dependable energy is vital to Michigan’s economy and daily life. This package would protect local control and shield ratepayers from unnecessary costs.

The Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) program recognizes outstanding educators from across the state and allows the awardees to share insights on how to better serve students.

Each year, 10 Regional Teachers of the Year are selected through a competitive application process. One of those educators is then named Michigan Teacher of the Year.

The MTOY and the nine regional honorees make up the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council, which allows them to participate in professional development programs, provide input on education policy and bring recognition to their home districts. The MTOY also serves as a nonvoting member of the State Board of Education and represents the state as a candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

To nominate an exceptional Michigan teacher, please visit the MTOY nomination form. Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 24.

Spring and summer in Michigan bring budding trees, blooming flowers and the return of orange barrels. While the delays and detours can be frustrating, we all share a responsibility for keeping work zones safe.

Please remember to slow down, follow posted signs and stay alert when driving through construction areas.

To plan ahead, use the Mi Drive Map for up-to-date information on current and future construction projects. The website lets drivers view live images from any of the 665 traffic cameras across Michigan, check traffic speeds and locate incidents — helping you get where you’re going safely and with fewer delays.

Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the state Senate. 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 31st District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.