The Michigan Legislature has approved a bipartisan transparency package to make the state budget process more open and accessible to the public.

House Bill 4420 and Senate Bill 596 require that all proposed enhancement grants be posted online at least 45 days before any budget vote.

Each earmark request must include the name of the funding recipient, project location, a description of the public benefit and a conflict-of-interest disclosure before it can move forward.

These reforms aim to build trust in state government by helping taxpayers understand how decisions are being made and how their money is being used.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on two initiatives.

The first is a proposed update to state forest road maps. These proposed updates are intended to maintain road quality and access while protecting surrounding natural resources. They are a result of changing conditions, evolving recreational use and community feedback.

To view an interactive map or download the proposed updates by county, visit Michigan.gov/ForestRoads. Comments can be emailed to DNR-RoadInventoryProject@Michigan.gov or shared at the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting in January. Updated state forest road maps will be published online and take effect April 1, 2026.

The second proposal would lengthen harvest time for elk hunting in the northern Lower Peninsula for the 2026-27 season, as follows:

The proposal would also give hunters 72 hours to register their elk, instead of the current 24 hours.

Feedback can be emailed to DNR-Elk-Hunt@Michigan.gov by Jan. 23, 2026. Final regulations and license quotas for 2026-27 will be presented to the NRC in March and adopted at the April meeting.

As temperatures drop, many in our communities may find themselves needing help with heating their homes. The state of Michigan offers several energy assistance programs for eligible seniors and low-income households. Immediate relief may also be available through a network of nonprofit organizations and other financial assistance programs.

Now is the time to plan your summer camping trips. Reservations for state campsites, overnight lodging and harbor slips open six months in advance. This means reservations for Memorial Day Weekend will open Nov. 22.

Visit the Michigan State Parks Reservation System for information. You can also use the DNR recreation search tool to find amenities or specific activities for your trip.

Michigan Christmas tree farms will supply nearly 2 million trees this year. Before bringing a fresh-cut tree indoors, inspect it for signs of insects like the spongy moth or balsam woolly adelgid, two invasive pests on the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s watch list.

Balsam woolly adelgids are tiny, sap-sucking house insects that are small, oval-shaped and typically covered in a cottony or waxy white substance, which makes them look like tiny bits of snow or fluff clinging to branches.

Spongy moth caterpillars hatch from egg masses that look like fuzzy sponges. The caterpillars spend spring and early summer clearing oaks, aspens and other trees, but the tan, fuzzy egg masses can survive Michigan winters and pose a risk to Christmas trees.

Neither of these pests pose a threat to your home. If you suspect an infestation, notify MDARD at MDA-Info@Michigan.gov or through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network’s reporting tool.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to thank you for the trust you place in me to represent you in Lansing. This season has long been a time for gratitude and reflection, and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.

I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!