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2020 hunting and fishing licenses on sale now
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Most 2020 hunting and fishing licenses and permits went on sale March 1, which is the start of the new license year. Although 2019 fishing licenses, base/small game licenses and ORV permits are valid through March 31, the new 2020 versions of these licenses and permits can be purchased as of March 1.
Outdoor enthusiasts can order the new licenses online at www.MDNR-eLicense.com or by visiting a retailer that sells DNR licenses. For license sales questions, email [email protected] or call 517-284-6057. Season guides and digests will be posted on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnr as they become available.
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Outman supports legislation to reduce medical costs, increase access
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Access to medical care for all Michigan families is critically important, and we should be doing everything we can to help those in need, not restrict access. That’s why I recently supported a five-bill package to cut unnecessary red tape, reduce costs and improve access to medical care in Michigan.
Senate Bills 669 and 671 - 674 take significant measures to help improve Michigan’s existing Certificate of Need (CON) program by improving the commission structure and eliminating certain requirements from the program. A CON is an authorization that enables the establishment or expansion of health care facilities or services. The CON commission, which is appointed by the governor, oversees the CON standards, which regulate a variety of specialized medical services and proposed increases in the number of hospital, nursing home and psychiatric beds. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reviews each application according to these standards. Specifically, the bills would:
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Eliminate covered capital expenditures from the CON process (SB 669);
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Add two new public members to the CON commission and make it easier to appoint members to standard advisory committees (SB 671);
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Repeal the CON requirement for psychiatric beds and require, as a condition of licensure, a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric unit to accept public patients and maintain 50% of the beds available to public patients (SBs 672 and 673); and
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Repeal the CON requirement for air ambulance services (SB 674).
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The CON requirements in Michigan are rife with unnecessary red tape and costs that we need to deal with to provide better access for Michigan residents, and these bills provide a solution.
The bills now head to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
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OK2SAY program needs your help
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OK2SAY, the 24/7 confidential hotline for students to report threats of school violence, recently updated its mobile app and website to make it easier to submit confidential tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools. As part of the update, students must provide either a telephone number or email address when they submit a tip so the OK2SAY technicians can ask follow-up questions.
If your school utilizes a firewall system that blocks outside communication, the OK2SAY hotline is encouraging schools to consider allowing students to communicate with OK2SAY technicians by whitelisting the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected].
Schools must be a safe place for students to learn and grow, and programs like OK2SAY help protect our schools and keep our kids safe. For more information on OK2SAY, visit www.Michigan.gov/OK2SAY.
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Tour of the Merrill Institute in Alma
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Merrill Institute was started in 2011 to help offset the skills gap we have been facing for almost a decade.
It was great to hear about and see firsthand the Merrill Institute’s Michigan Works! training program, which is funded by the Going Pro Talent Fund. When I was in the House in 2013, we created the Going Pro Talent Fund, formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund, to help get more people back to work.
The Merrill Institute has trained over 350 students and currently holds a 94% employment rate for their welding program. A good portion of their students have used the Going Pro program for funding toward their tuition. That means more people have been able to learn a skilled trade that has placed them into a well-paying job.
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Ferris State University Lansing Luncheon
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It was great to have Ferris State University come down to Lansing to showcase to my colleagues what they are all about!
Ferris State University is a world-class institution with many unique programs aimed at helping provide students with the skills for future success. It’s always wonderful to see President Eisler and Brutus the Bulldog!
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Annual Farm Bureau dinner in Lansing
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It was great to hear from Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue about what the Trump administration is doing to protect Michigan farmers.
I also had the chance to visit with Farm Bureau members from Montcalm, Mecosta, Gratiot, Isabella and Clare counties at the Lansing legislative seminar.
We had a chance to discuss issues facing our local farmers and what the Senate is doing to support Michigan’s agriculture industry.
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Senate Appropriations Committee chair joins Outman in 33rd District
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I want to thank Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Jim Stamas for attending a few of my in-district meetings with me.
Sen. Stamas joined me for the legislative update at Montcalm Community College and met with President Young afterwards to tour the college and see the new things the school is working on.
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Michigan Chemistry Council legislative day
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I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Michigan Chemistry Council legislative day!
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Honoring Blue Star Mothers
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This year I again offered a resolution to commemorate Feb. 1 as “Blue Star Mother’s Day” in Michigan.
Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have a family member serving in the military. While we can never truly display our gratitude for their children’s bravery and sacrifices, we can certainly honor the organization’s mission and raise awareness about the work they do.
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Outman welcomes students from Lakeview Christian School
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I would like to thank Dr. Zane Abberger and students from Lakeview Christian School for visiting my Lansing office. These students have a bright future ahead of them!
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Former Lakeview wrestlers reunite at CMU wrestling match
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A few of my former teammates and I enjoyed a night of wrestling at Central Michigan University as the Chippewas took on Michigan State University. CMU was able to come out on top with a hard-fought victory — Fire Up Chips!
It was also great to stop in and say hello to Coach Boyd before the meet.
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The 33rd state Senate District includes Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, and Montcalm counties.
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| Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the 33rd Senate District of Michigan. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 33rd District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.
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Senator Rick Outman
4400 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
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