| | | Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. This past month has been filled with exciting opportunities to serve the constituents of the 31st Senate District. I’ve been able to take your concerns directly to Lansing, and I am proud to continue doing so.
I want to emphasize that my door is always open. I look forward to visitors and the opportunity to speak with the constituents I proudly represent. I welcome any input from residents as it is my number one priority to make sure your voices are heard. If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or my office. I am honored to be able to serve you.
Sincerely,
| | Kevin Daley
State Senator
31st District
| Whitmer presents her 2020 budget recommendations | This past month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her fiscal year 2020 budget recommendations and addressed many priorities shared by Michigan residents. I was happy to see her discuss investing in our schools and infrastructure. These are things we can all get behind, but fixing our roads and bridges needs to be done the right way.
We can all agree that our roads need improvement. That’s why the Legislature voted in 2015 to incrementally increase road funding over a period of years. These increases are slated to continue, and before we put this proposed tax burden on our families and businesses, we need to let the previous road funding take full effect.
For eight years in a row, the Legislature and governor have approved the state budget well before the beginning of the fiscal year. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the governor to make sure we continue to approve a balanced, responsible and commonsense budget well ahead of schedule.
| | | | | | Daley introduces legislation honoring fallen Bay City soldier | | This past month, I introduced legislation honoring a fallen soldier from Bay City.
Senate Bill 169 would name a portion of State Highway M-15 in Bay County after Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart of Bay City. Cathcart was killed in November of 2014 during an operation in Afghanistan. His service awards include three Bronze Star medals, the Purple Heart medal and four Army Commendation medals.
It has been an honor to work on this legislation. Sgt. Cathcart was a decorated war hero. Nothing we do can fully honor his life, his sacrifice and his family, but it is my hope that this small gesture kindly reminds residents of Sgt. Cathcart’s dedication to his country and the courage with which he served.
Under the bill, the Michael Cathcart Memorial Highway will range from Cass Avenue in Portsmouth Charter Township north to the intersection of State Highway M-15 and Ridge Road in Bay City. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
| Daley supports bill to crack down on mail theft | | | | | | | Many people receive checks, prescription medications, packages and other items of value in the mail. Yet theft is an increasing problem. In fact, 2018 appears to be a record year for mail theft in Michigan.
I recently supported legislation to better deter mail and package theft. Although it is a federal crime, the federal government doesn’t have the resources to prosecute unless the value of the stolen items is high enough or it involves identity theft. Senate Bills 23 and 24 would create a state-level mail theft crime with penalties, allowing more options for state prosecution and more consistent enforcement.
The legislation has been sent to the House for consideration.
| Winner of 31st District photo contest selected | | | | | | I'm proud to announce the winner of the 31st District photo contest!
Drew Rupprecht of Thistle Dew Dairy in Vassar submitted the winning photo of a dairy farm during a cold winter morning.
| Second place was a photo of a red barn in Columbiaville submitted by Sheryl Sutter.
| Jeff Ludwig's photo of a snowy barn in Lapeer was the 3rd place winner.
Congratulations to the winners. I thank everyone for submitting their photos.
All three photos are now hanging on the wall in my Lansing office. Come to Lansing and check them out!
| Whitmer Halts Construction of New Caro Center | | Recently, the governor announced her decision to halt construction of the new Caro Center in Tuscola County. Under Gov. Rick Snyder, the state approved a project to build a new 200-bed hospital to increase access to mental health services. Ground was broken on this $115 million project last October.
I’m very disappointed in the governor’s decision to re-examine the need for the Caro Center project.
The Caro Psychiatric Center has been a staple of the Tuscola County community for over 100 years. Gov. Whitmer’s decision to halt the construction of the new facility puts the economic prosperity of Tuscola County at risk. As the second largest employer in the county, the impact that the hospital has on the community cannot be overstated.
I have met with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and expressed how devastating this would be to Tuscola County. Additionally, I have invited Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon to visit Caro to address their concerns and to discuss a solution.
As the discussions continue, please know that I understand the importance of keeping the hospital in Caro and I am committed to working as hard as I can to ensure the project is completed. There is too much at stake for the community.
I encourage you to also reach out to Gov. Whitmer to share your concerns about her decision and the negative impact it would have on our community. Her constituent service office can be reached by phone at 517-335-7858 or by mail at P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, Michigan 48909.
| | | | | | Monthly district office hours | | In order for me to best represent you in Lansing, it is important to sit down face to face and hear the needs of the residents of the 31st Senate District.
I plan to hold office hours once a month where anyone can come and discuss what’s on their mind. I will be available to answer questions, discuss current legislation and take suggestions on issues affecting communities throughout the district.
Feel free to stop in anytime, as no appointment is necessary.
I look forward to hearing from you!
For updates on future office hours, please visit my website at www.SenatorKevinDaley.com and click “Press Releases” under the “In the News” tab.
| Free Pure Michigan travel guide now available | Whether you enjoy warm weather fun on the water, in the woods or at the golf course, Michigan has it all!
The 2019 Pure Michigan Spring/Summer Travel Guide features lighthouses, tiny towns, national forests and Great Lakes shore experiences as well as craft beer, casino and urban destinations. The publication also includes a seasonal calendar of festival events. Please call my office for a print copy or find the digital version at www.michigan.org.
| April is Donate Life Month | More than 3,000 people in Michigan are waiting for an organ transplant. Oftentimes, the transplant helps save a person’s life.
Next month is Donate Life Month and a good time to learn about organ donation. Just one donor can save the lives of eight people and improve the lives of even more. Motorists can purchase a Donate Life specialty license plate to support and help promote the need for organ, tissue and eye donors. The fundraising plates can be ordered online at www.michigan.gov/sos or at any secretary of state branch office.
| | I had the wonderful opportunity to read to some North Branch area students during March is Reading Month. I also visited Christ the King’s Unionville Campus and read to pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade students.
Reading to children can foster their interest in learning and helps them develop necessary skills for a successful academic career. I always enjoy meeting students and watching their eager young faces as they listen along. I want to thank Christ the King and North Branch staff for welcoming me to read to their students.
| | My priority is always serving the people of my district. If you plan to visit Lansing for a conference or meeting, please contact my office in advance so I can make every effort to meet with you while you are in town.
| Celebrating a special occasion? | | My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.
| State government resources | Michigan's 31st Senate District
| | The 31th State Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.
| | | | | | | Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 31st District E-news. You may sign up for it at my website.
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