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 provides some insight into the work I have been doing, along with other important updates on state government.

This summer, I was able to meet with constituents throughout the district. I held coffee hours, a town hall, a business roundtable and met with constituents individually. Now I am ready to take their concerns and ideas back to Lansing with me this fall.

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,

Michigan’s education is ranked 44th overall in the United States. In May, the Michigan Senate Democrats passed a budget that would fund local schools and general government. However, this budget has a deficit of nearly half a billion dollars and doesn’t create the change that our school districts desperately need.

In June, the House Republicans tried something different and passed a budget that would allow school districts to determine how their funds should be spent. The House budget had the most per-pupil spending EVER.

The budget process is taking longer this year because Republicans are determined to pass a budget that will make effective change in our schools. We can’t continue to do the same things we’ve done in the past and expect different results. Improving the quality of education in the state of Michigan means that we need effective new legislation, even if it takes longer to pass.

With that being said, I am hopeful that we will be able to pass a state budget that gives schools local control before a government shutdown happens.

At the end of July, I hosted a town hall at the Georgetown Library in Jenison. I was able to provide updates on what is going on in Lansing and hear from my constituents about their concerns regarding state government.

Earlier this month, I met with members of The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg for a business roundtable discussion. I was able to learn more about the challenges facing businesses within my district.

Last year, the Michigan Uniform Power of Attorney Act went into effect, making power of attorney agreements more effective for Michigan residents.

A Power of Attorney agreement is a notarized document that allows a person to grant someone else the legal authority to act on their behalf. Michigan residents and their families can use these free, fillable Finances Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney forms which are available for download.

These user-friendly forms make it easier for Michigan residents and their family members to appoint a trusted individual to make important financial and medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.

Do you have unclaimed property? The Michigan Department of Treasury is the custodian of millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes and stock certificates. By law, banks and other companies must turn over unclaimed property to the state until it is claimed by the rightful owner or heirs.

More than $675 million has been returned in the last five years. The Unclaimed Property database is easy to search, and claims can be made in a matter of minutes.

Turkey licenses for the fall season will go on sale starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, on a first-come, first-served basis. This season, hunters do not need to apply for a license to hunt wild turkey. Each hunter may purchase one license, valid for one bird of either sex on public or private land within a designated fall turkey management unit.

Also new for the 2025 season, the 11-unit management system has been replaced with two larger units:

Licenses can be purchased online through eLicense, the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or at a license retailer. The Fall Turkey Hunting Regulation Summary outlines season rules and regulations. The fall turkey hunting season runs from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14.

Stay informed with Michigan’s weekly fishing report, featuring updates on current fishing conditions from around the state. The weekly email, published by the Department of Natural Resources, includes information from creel clerks and DNR staff over the past week.

It is especially important that drivers be vigilant when sharing the road with school buses. When a school bus is present, drivers should always:

Nominations for the 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of the Year (MTOY) are open from now until Sept. 24.

Each year, one teacher is named Michigan’s Teacher of the Year, serving as a representative and advocate for Michigan’s more than 85,000 teachers. The MTOY works with their nine fellow Regional Teachers of the Year on the Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council to share feedback and provide input on various MDE policies and initiatives. The MTOY attends state Board of Education meetings as a non-voting member and has the opportunity to meet with legislators and educational leaders in Michigan and nationally.

Parents or guardians, students, colleagues, and community members are invited to nominate a teacher using the Michigan Department of Education’s online form.

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.