Dear Friends,

To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I’m offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I am active on social media to help keep you updated. You can check out my Facebook page, my  official account on X or my Instagram for recent updates.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.  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,

Mark Huizenga
State Senator

As your state senator, it is my honor to recognize the brave members of our communities who have served in the U.S. military. On Nov. 11, we will pause to pay tribute to every American veteran. Whether they served during war or peacetime, we extend our deepest gratitude for their service.

My office offers a Veterans Benefits and Services booklet that explains how to obtain veteran benefits and services from federal, state and local agencies. It also includes information on acquiring a home mortgage, education, employment, insurance for medical treatments and death benefits. This booklet is available online, or you can contact my office for a printed copy.

I am holding in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from 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 Friday, Nov. 21, I will be available to meet with constituents at the following times and locations:

Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary. Anyone who is unable to attend may contact my office.

After nearly a decade of collaboration with the city of Walker, the Michigan Department of Transportation and legislative leaders, the replacement of the Fruit Ridge bridge is finally complete!

The new bridge adds two lanes, reconfigures the interchange, and provides a safe crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and families.

I was honored to speak at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and present a special tribute to Walker Mayor Gary Carey to commemorate this momentous occasion.

Last month, the city of Grand Rapids celebrated its 175th anniversary.

From its humble beginnings to the growing and thriving city it has become, I am proud to represent Grand Rapids and honor its rich history.

Thank you to the Grand Rapids Public Museum for helping us celebrate this momentous occasion.

I enjoyed a great visit to Baker Engineering in Ottawa County.

The Baker team is driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and developing high-performance engineering solutions for the aerospace, defense and automotive sectors.

Congratulations to Grand Rapids City High Middle School on being named a 2025 Michigan Blue Ribbon School!

This honor recognizes their exceptional academic achievement and commitment to excellence, ensuring that top-performing schools receive the recognition they deserve.

As a proud advocate for education in West Michigan, I’m thrilled to see this school serve as a shining example of what’s possible when students, educators and families work together.

Click here to see a short Facebook video I recorded from the Senate about this honor.

The growth of our health care industry continued in West Michigan as Corewell Health broke ground on the future Karl and Patricia Betz Resident Physician Living Center. This 118-unit housing complex is designed to support medical residents and fellows affiliated with Corewell Health.

My office was honored to present a congratulatory tribute to thank Corewell Health and Karl and Patricia Betz for their continued investment in health care right here in West Michigan.

November is a month of creativity at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Over the next week, the museum is inviting people to take part in a series of events celebrating West Michigan’s artistic spirit, including:

Learn more and plan your visit at ArtMuseumGR.org/events.

The average Michigan household that uses SNAP receives about $335 each month to supplement grocery costs. With the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits are being delayed. This disruption in benefits is not only a loss for families, but also for farmers, fruit markets and local grocery stores.

To help during this time, the Fair Food Network is taking the following actions through Dec. 31:

In addition, new Double Up Bonus Bucks, a limited-time $40 voucher for fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, will be available. The voucher will be distributed directly onto Double Up cards and the app, or loyalty cards at participating sites, or as printed vouchers for shoppers using tokens or coupons at participating locations. The vouchers will not require a matching SNAP purchase.

For more information, call the Double Up hotline at 866-586-2796. Additional food assistance resources are available through Find Help – Michigan 2-1-1, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and MI Bridges.

Deer Drop-In Mondays continue across the state on Nov. 17 and Dec. 1. Hunters are invited to connect with DNR staff and fellow hunters, share stories from the season, or bring in a deer or lower jaw for aging. Refreshments and free items like patches, stickers, hand warmers and field dressing gloves will also be available.

The U.S. Marine Corps was established on Nov. 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Since that historic day, the Marines have played a pivotal role in shaping American history.

For 250 years, the Marine Corps has prided itself on living out its motto, “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “Always Faithful.” Marines are not only members of one of the world’s most elite fighting forces, but also part of a greater community that continues to serve and uplift others long after active duty.

The yearlong 250th anniversary celebrations will commence on Nov. 10, with the Commandant’s Birthday Ball in Washington, D.C.

As the proud parent of a Marine, I am especially proud to honor this momentous birthday.

Help fellow bird hunters make the most of their small game season by sharing your hunt and submitting flush counts through the new Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard.

The dashboard lets hunters record the number of grouse and woodcock flushed and view near-real-time results from fellow hunters statewide.

It’s quick and easy. Simply click submit report and add the date, county, hours hunted, whether dogs were used and flush counts for each species. The data updates as new reports come in, helping hunters follow statewide and county trends.

Find grouse and woodcock season details in the 2025 Michigan Small Game Hunting Regulations Summary.

Grant funding of up to $1.5 million is available through the DNR for local projects to improve or enhance Michigan’s fisheries and aquatic resources. Fisheries Habitat Grants can be used by local, state, federal and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit groups, for projects such as fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, and resource assessment studies.

Funds will be distributed through an open, competitive process. Pre-proposals are being accepted through Nov. 19. For more information, visit the Fisheries Habitat Grant Program page.

November is National Adoption Month, a time to honor adoptive families and celebrate children who have found permanent homes.

It also highlights the ongoing need for adoptive families, especially for older youth and teens in foster care. About 200 children in Michigan’s foster care system are currently eligible for adoption. Each year, around 1,600 young people age out of the foster care system without a permanent home.

For more information on adoption, visit the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange.

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 SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.

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.