Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter.

Below, you’ll find an update on what’s happening in your state Capitol and some additional resources I hope you find helpful. For more frequent updates on what's happening in Michigan and the state Legislature, please visit my Facebook or Instagram pages.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Michigan Senate. I am grateful each and every day to work for the people of the 34th Senate District.

Sincerely,

Roger Hauck
State Senator
34th Senate District

I, along with many members of the Central Michigan University and Mount Pleasant communities, have deep concerns with the proposal to move CMU’s College of Medicine out of Mount Pleasant entirely.

As a lifelong resident of Mount Pleasant and a proud supporter of the university, I know how important CMU is to our community. I am disappointed with the proposal to move the medical school’s operations to Saginaw and the apparent lack of diligence being given to this critical decision.

No one has presented a clear outline of the implications this could have and what it will mean for existing buildings and programs on the Mount Pleasant campus.

Throughout this process, we have been left with more questions than answers. The price tag alone has raised concerns because it would rely heavily on donations to even make the move possible.

I am primarily concerned with what will happen if the money is not raised. Who will be held accountable and what will be the plan to backfill the loss of students? Will new initiatives be rolled out to utilize existing buildings and resources? I encourage the university’s board of trustees to delay any new construction until all options are fully explored, the necessary funding is secured, and these questions are answered.

The move is expected to cost roughly $200 million, and the current proposed goal is to complete the move by 2028. Please click here to read my entire piece on the proposal.

Senate Republicans are calling on the Democratic legislative majority to take immediate action to save an estimated 50,000 jobs now at risk following a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling affecting the state’s tipped workers.

In July, the court ruled to change the state’s minimum wage laws and eliminate the tip credit system that thousands of hospitality employees depend on. These changes are set to take effect early next year.

Restaurant owners and servers are concerned that this ruling will devastate Michigan’s hospitality industry. A similar policy enacted in Washington, D.C., in 2023 led to the loss of over 3,000 jobs.

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association estimates that one in five restaurants would close and between 40,000 and 60,000 jobs will be lost in Michigan if the court ruling goes into effect. There is still time for the Legislature to act. Democrats must work with Republicans to address this issue and save these jobs.

I co-sponsored legislation that would restore more than $300 million in school safety and student mental health funding that was cut by Democrats in the recently approved state budget.

As it stands now, per-pupil school safety and mental health funding would drop from $328 million in the current budget to just $26.5 million in the budget year starting Oct. 1. This is appalling, particularly in an overall budget that spends hundreds of millions on corporate welfare and countless non-essential projects.

Michigan had been consistently investing more and more in school safety and mental health in recent years, and we cannot afford to go backward. My colleagues and I were able to force a vote to take up Senate Bill 1005, which would fully restore this critical safety and support funding, but the Democrat majority voted against moving this legislation and doubled down on their failure to provide resources toward safer learning environments for students.

Hosting office hours is a great way to meet with local residents and hear concerns about state government or to request assistance with a state issue. My next office hour meeting will be held jointly with Rep. Kunse on Friday, Oct. 11 in Reed City.

Rep. Kunse and I will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance with state issues, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district.

The office hour event will take place at the following date, time, and location:

Friday, Oct. 11
11 a.m. – noon
Reed City Area District Library
829 S. Chestnut St.
Reed City

Office hours are open to all residents. No appointment is necessary. If you are unable to make it to the office hour meeting, please feel free to contact my office via email at [email protected] or by calling 517-373-1760.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Senate Democrats recently passed a package of bills that would compromise voter privacy and place new burdens on local election officials.

Senate Bills 401, 402, 403 and 404 go far beyond the rights and protections guaranteed under both the U.S. and Michigan constitutions. These bills would create a new bureaucracy under the secretary of state that would help interest groups sue local governments and clerks. They would also weaken the sanctity of polling places by allowing individuals — including candidates on the ballot or their volunteers — to enter polling locations and interact with voters waiting in line.

SBs 401-404 were passed along party lines and have been sent to the state House for further consideration.

One of the best parts about living in Michigan is the opportunity to experience all four seasons. As the season changes, it’s time to plan your fall color tour and explore Michigan’s beauty.

To find peak color throughout the state, check out the Pure Michigan fall color map. The Peak Color Report provides weekly updates as the vibrant colors of fall roll across the state, along with travel and activity ideas for exploring Michigan this fall.

Earlier this year, the Natural Resources Commission adopted new deer hunting regulations. While most of the updates will take effect after the 2024 season, some notable updates apply to the current fall season. These include expanded antlerless deer hunting opportunities in parts of the Lower Peninsula, the use of any legal firearm during muzzleloader season in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula, an early antlerless season in September and a later season in December for the Lower Peninsula, and expanded hunting opportunities in January.

For full details, hunters can access the 2024 Michigan Deer Hunting Regulations Summary online or download it using the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Invasive aquatic plants continue to threaten Michigan’s waterways. Hunters are urged to help prevent the spread of these harmful species by following the “Clean, Drain, Dry” method when moving boats, trailers and other gear prior to use in another body of water.

Hunters are asked to take the following precautions to protect Michigan’s waterfowl habitats:

Take a moment to explore Michigan’s education savings programs that help make college or professional certifications available to every student.

More information, along with a college savings calculator, is available at MIsaves.com.