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Dear Friends,
To better serve you, I am offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.
I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email . Also, please check out my . Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.
Working for you,
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Mark Huizenga
State Senator
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Gov. Whitmer’s short-sighted budget plan
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2025 budget proposal is short-sighted and recklessly spends away taxpayers’ money, while raising taxes on Michigan families.
If your family has to balance its own budget responsibly, then the government should have to do the same. Instead, the governor is trying to spend almost every penny. If her proposed plan was an $80,000-per-year family budget, she’d be trying to spend all but $7 on more unsustainable spending. That’s not responsible, and that’s not helpful to the taxpayers who actually have to pay the bills.
In 2022, under bipartisan control, the state had a record $9 billion surplus. Two years later, we would be running a deficit if it wasn’t for the $700 million income tax increase Democrats fought to impose on Michiganders.
I have always been willing to work with my friends on the other side of the aisle to get things done and solve problems for our community. But the governor’s plan does nothing to help those struggling with inflation and higher costs of living. It does nothing to actually invest in our roads, pay off debt, save for a rainy day, or spend your money wisely. And it does nothing to solve the problems facing West Michigan families.
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Ensuring all Michigan students have access to an education that enables them to be successful and achieve at a high level begins with putting a priority on the fundamentals of reading, writing and math and holding everyone accountable — including rewarding highly effective teachers.
Despite record funding for schools each year for over a decade, Michigan students rank 43rd nationally for high school graduation rates and fourth-grade reading proficiency. Additionally, less than one-third of Michigan fourth graders are proficient in math, and the average SAT scores in our state are the lowest since the test became statewide in 2015.
Rather than acknowledge that our students are struggling, Lansing Democrats have spent the last year lowering the standards for both students and teachers.
Senate Republicans are offering a better solution, including:
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• Setting the bar high. Our plan strengthens key provisions of the third-grade reading law, requires student progress to be part of every teacher’s evaluation process, and restores the A-F grading scale that makes it easy for parents to understand how their child’s school is doing.
• Attracting good teachers to where they’re needed most. Our plan would provide bonuses to highly effective teachers who take positions in schools where they can have the biggest impact.
• Giving every kid a chance. No student should ever be left behind because of their means or their ZIP code. Our Student Opportunity Scholarships would help families afford educational assistance for their children, like tutoring. Our reading scholarships would help with the cost of summer or after-school reading programs.
• Stressing the basics. Reading is the foundation of a successful education, yet too many schools have gone away from teaching the basics and reading scores have plummeted. Our plan will ensure teachers are trained in proven phonics-based reading methods that have worked for decades.
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District office hours on Feb. 15
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I am holding in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from the people about the issues they are facing is an important part of representing everyone in West Michigan. These meetings give local residents a chance to express their viewpoints about what needs to be done and offer help to people dealing with a variety of state issues.
On Feb. 5, I met with folks in Alpine and Cascade townships. This Thursday, Feb. 15, I will be available to meet with constituents from 2 to 3 p.m. at , 220 Northland Drive NE in Rockford and from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at , 5181 Northland Drive NE in Plainfield Township.
Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary. Anyone who is unable to attend the office hours may .
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Celebrating Black History Month
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In the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month. This is a wonderful time to celebrate and educate ourselves on the great contributions and innovations from those in the African American community.
One of those individuals is Lyman Parks, Grand Rapids’ first African American mayor. Many individuals like Mayor Parks inspire us to help cultivate and improve our communities.
or on the image below to watch a video I recorded on Mayor Parks.
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Town hall meeting set for March 11
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A cornerstone to being an effective public official is listening to the people you represent about the issues affecting our region and state and discussing possible solutions to the problems facing families in our community.
To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I will be hosting a town hall meeting on Monday, March 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Wisner Center inside the Cascade branch of the Kent District Library, located at .
If you are unable to attend the town hall, please contact me about any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email . Also, please check out my . Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.
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Michigan’s presidential primary
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Public Act 2 of 2023 moved the presidential primary date to Feb. 27, 2024.
The approval of Proposal 2 by voters in 2022 will bring big changes for this and all upcoming elections. Voters now have three ways to exercise their right to vote:
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• By requesting and returning an absentee ballot: All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot delivered to their home. Voters can also request an absentee ballot directly from their local clerk’s office. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days prior to every election. Michigan voters can now join the permanent absentee ballot list by checking a box on the application to receive an absentee ballot for every election.
• In-person early voting: For the first time, Michigan voters can vote in-person early. The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total. Early voting site locations, dates, and hours are available 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.
• In-person at a designated polling location on Election Day: All registered voters in Michigan can vote at their polling place on Election Day. You can find your polling location by clicking here.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning
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Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced when wood, fuels, propane, or charcoal are burned. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood and can lead to serious tissue damage or even death.
The best way to keep your home safe is to install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and follow these steps to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:
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• Clear away snow from the exhaust systems in your home.
• Clean your gas dryer regularly.
• Have your water heater inspected annually.
• Keep your chimney clear for proper ventilation.
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Summer park jobs available
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Managers for Michigan’s state parks, boating facilities, and outdoor spaces are looking to fill 1,300 summer jobs. Roles include greeting visitors, answering questions, registering campers, cleaning park buildings, mowing grass, maintaining trails, and more.
These short-term summer positions are perfect for anyone interested in starting a career in natural resources. In fact, many DNR employees started their careers as summer park workers and have since transitioned to fulfilling roles as rangers, park supervisors, accountant assistants, and trail coordinators. Summer positions are also perfect for those looking to stay busy in retirement or anyone who wants to spend the summer outdoors.
The first step is to express interest, and share your contact information and your preferred work location. The hourly rate starts at $15, and schedules are flexible.
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Serving the people of West Michigan is very important to me and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may contact me by calling toll-free 1-855-347-8030 or emailing .
I look forward to serving you, and I encourage you to contact me if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.
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Senator Mark Huizenga
201 Townsend St., Suite #7200
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Visit my website at:
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