I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Standish-Sterling Community Schools Superintendent Darren Kroczaleski and some of his team. It is great to see all of the opportunities available to students throughout the 36th District.

I recently joined Rep. Jason Wentworth and Brenda Flory of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to present a check to the city of Standish to help provide families and businesses relief from significant water rate increases resulting from the 2009 closure of Standish Maximum Correctional Facility. I was able to secure $1.7 million in the current state budget to help the city with water and sewer system improvements made to its water system to accommodate the prison before it was closed. (Photo credit: The Arenac County Independent)

Senate passes state income tax relief
This week, I supported Senate passage of legislation to preserve the personal exemption on the state income tax and provide additional tax relief for Michigan families.

Senate Bill 748 would provide well-earned tax relief to Michigan residents and small business owners who have worked hard to help grow our economy and create jobs. As a result of our efforts to improve our state, we have the ability to return to taxpayers more of their money while maintaining critical services and investment in education.

The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed in December 2017 simplifies the code, lowers tax rates, doubles the standard deduction and increases family tax credits. However, in streamlining the exemption process, it effectively ends the federal personal exemption. Since the state personal exemption is based on the federal return, without a revision to state law, Michigan taxpayers would no longer be able to claim personal exemptions on their state taxes.

SB 748 would make the necessary changes to maintain the state personal exemption and also boost the exemption by an additional $700 to $5,000 by 2021. [read more]

District coffee hour in Gladwin on Monday
I encourage anyone who needs help or wants to express a viewpoint to join me on Monday, Jan. 22 for a district coffee hour in Gladwin. The coffee hour is open to all residents and will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. in the small conference room at the Gladwin County District Library, located at 402 James Robertson Drive in Gladwin.

My aim is to provide the best service possible for the hardworking people of the 36th District. I am excited about continuing a regular series of office hours throughout the district and hearing directly from constituents about state and pocketbook issues.

Residents unable to attend the coffee hour may contact my office toll-free at 1-855-347-8036 or via email at [email protected].

Spring turkey application period is still open
Until Feb. 1, area residents can still purchase 2018 spring turkey hunting applications. Purchases can be made online at E-license or anywhere hunting licenses are sold.

The 2018 spring turkey season runs April 23 through May 31, with several hunt periods to choose from. Hunt 234 offers the most days to hunt, valid from May 7-31. Licenses for that hunt go on sale over the counter on March 19. The Spring Turkey Digest explains regulations, season dates and hunt units.

Beginning March 5, applicants can see if they were drawn for a license at www.michigan.gov/turkey. Any leftover licenses will be sold until the quota is met in each hunt unit and hunt period. Hunters may purchase one spring turkey license.

New law protects your personal information
Consumers will have better protection against fraud at the gas pump under Senate legislation recently signed into law.

Public Act 168 of 2017 requires greater security measures at the pump to restrict the unauthorized access of customer payment card information and prevent the use of skimmers. Skimmers are small devices that can be hidden in gas pumps to copy credit and debit card personal information. Approximately 82 skimmers have been found in Michigan since 2015.

While many gas stations have security measures already in place, all stations will now be required to provide additional protections for consumers. The new law takes effect Feb. 19, 2018.

Free 2018 Winter Guide available online
Winter is a great time to bundle up and escape to Michigan's Great Outdoors!

With more than 3,000 miles of cross country ski trails, some of the best downhill skiing in the Midwest and 6,400 miles of snowmobile trails, Michigan offers fantastic winter recreation opportunities. Active families can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, skating, snowmobiling, ice fishing and more.

The 2018 Winter Guide highlights many of these family-friendly activities. Residents can download the guide at no cost by clicking here.

Winter tourism generates nearly a third of the state's $17 billion tourism revenue, which helps support many small businesses and communities.