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

Results for the 2024 Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) show reading scores for Michigan third graders at a 10-year low.

M-STEP, the state’s summative assessment given to students each spring, is designed to gauge how well students are mastering state standards. This year’s numbers show a staggering number of Michigan students are struggling to read at grade level. Just 39.6% of the state’s third graders were proficient on the M-STEP English test, down from the 46.7% proficiency rate scored in 2019.

Lansing Democrats have removed a critical component of Michigan’s third grade reading law, ended required teacher evaluations, eliminated the state’s clear and transparent A-F grading scale for schools, and opposed efforts to give families access to additional educational resources.

Senate Republicans will not accept Michigan’s children remaining in the bottom 10 nationally for educational outcomes. Instead, we will continue to advocate for plans like MI Brighter Future, focused on expanding student access to resources and learning opportunities, providing essential training, ensuring educator accountability and giving parents greater control over their child’s progress.

The Michigan State Police Office of School Safety (OSS) recently announced that updated resources are available to assist schools with developing or updating their Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).

Michigan law requires that all K-12 schools have an EOP in place to help ensure the safety of staff and students in the event of an emergency. An EOP outlines steps for students, teachers and school staff to follow before, during and after various emergency situations.

The OSS works in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education to:

The updated resource list can be found on the OSS webpage.

Hunting is a crucial part of Michigan’s heritage and plays a key role in wildlife management and conservation. As you prepare for the upcoming fall deer hunting season, here are a few reminders:

For complete details, refer to the Michigan Hunting Regulations Summary.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP) is now accepting proposals for the 2024 funding cycle. This program — a joint effort by the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development — aims to prevent, detect and control invasive species across the state.

Grants are available to local, state, federal or tribal units of government, along with nonprofits and universities. Since its inception in 2014, MISGP has awarded over $36 million to 269 projects, helping manage invasive species such as the hemlock woolly adelgid and European frog-bit. In total, more than 664,000 acres of land and water have been surveyed, and approximately 53,000 acres have been treated for invasive species. An estimated $3.6 million will be available for the 2024 grant cycle.

Highlights of the 2023 invasive species program are available in the Michigan Invasive Species Program Annual Report, which includes program-funded projects.

Applicants are encouraged to participate in a webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m. to learn more about the MIGSP, the grant application process and 2024 priorities.

The Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership invites inland lake enthusiasts to the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention, taking place Oct. 2 to 4. This biannual event brings together lakefront property owners, scientists, industry professionals, policymakers, conservationists, and those with a passion for Michigan’s inland lakes to exchange ideas and learn the latest in lake stewardship.

The convention will feature two full days of presentations and workshops on topics such as watershed conservation, invasive species, freshwater algae, and more. Attendees can participate in hands-on training in identifying and removing invasive aquatic species, discussions on wake boat issues and amphibian and reptile conservation and management.

Click here to view the full agenda or to register online.

September is National Preparedness Month. Emergencies, such as power outages, fires or tornadoes, can happen at any time. It’s essential for families to have a plan to connect, communicate and meet up with one another in such situations.

To create a preparedness plan:

Visit Ready.gov for more information.