The Legislature recently approved, and the governor signed, a historic plan to make critical improvements to the state’s water, transportation, parks, and broadband infrastructure.

I was proud to sponsor Senate Bill 565. This bill would use $4.1 billion in federal funding and $571 million in state resources to make important infrastructure investments across the state, including over $1.7 billion to help communities improve their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure — with at least 25% of drinking water funds dedicated to replacing lead pipes.

The bill also included $15 million dedicated to PFAS remediation at an orphaned site in Muskegon that feeds into Lake Michigan to address contamination that threatens drinking water sources.
Protecting and preserving our clean water is not just a priority for me, but it is also an issue my constituents care deeply about. Every community I represent along the lakeshore has mentioned the importance of clean water, and this legislation will protect water infrastructure in our communities for generations to come.

The bill features $450 million to make infrastructure upgrades at state and local parks, over $322 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds for small local governments, nearly $317 million in federal funding to fixing aging roads and bridges, $250 million to rebuild destroyed or damaged dams and prioritize risk reduction projects at other dams in the state, and $250 million to help improve broadband connectivity to more households and small businesses.

SB 565 also designates $50 million to help install filtered water stations in schools, $60 million to help reduce PFAS or other contaminants from drinking water, $35 million to fix failing septic systems, and $92.8 million for airport infrastructure projects.

This historic funding will make transformative changes to ensure the long-term health and viability of our state’s drinking water and wastewater systems, beloved state and local parks, our roads, bridges and dams, and help provide more people in more places with broadband connectivity. This is a win for every Michigander.

The bill also includes $46 million in state funds to hold harmless cities, villages and townships whose revenue sharing would be reduced due to the 2020 census. Each local government that qualifies for a 2020 hold harmless payment will receive an amount equal to the overpayment, which is calculated based on revenue sharing distributions issued on or after October 1, 2020 through March 1, 2022.

This month I again reiterated my call for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to approve the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ Muskegon County casino project, a decision she previously pushed off to June 16.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ casino is a major job-creating project that will attract visitors to the region. Estimates indicate the project will create 1,500 construction jobs and 1,500 high-paying full-time jobs, and upon completion attract 1.8 million visitors and generate $15 million in tax revenue for the state and millions more for local governments. There’s nothing holding the governor back from saying yes — the project is shovel-ready. Approving the casino sends the message that Muskegon matters, and we’re open for business.

Many state and local officials, as well as countless residents, have voiced support for the project, which has been in the planning for many years. After a lengthy approval process, the federal government gave the go-ahead in December 2020. Since the federal government’s approval, the decision on whether to proceed has been on Whitmer’s desk.

I’ve been a constant supporter of the casino, because it’s a win for Muskegon, for West Michigan and for the entire state. I’m calling on the governor to stop the delay and approve the Muskegon casino project today.

I encourage residents who have not already voiced their support for the casino to submit written comments at www.SenatorJonBumstead.com/casino/ to have your thoughts sent directly to Whitmer’s office.

Legislation that would reform Michigan’s property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans by shifting the tax burden from local units of government to the state Department of Treasury was approved by the Senate Finance Committee earlier this month.

Senate Bills 783 and 784 would maintain the same level of tax relief for 100% disabled veterans but would transform the benefit from a property tax exemption to an income tax credit in order to ease the burden on local governments.

This is a small but necessary change to existing law that, importantly, protects our 100% disabled veterans’ tax credits and the process they use to obtain them. What it does do, however, is put the burden of administering the credit on the state’s shoulders to help alleviate the financial stress many local governments are experiencing throughout Michigan.

The process for eligible veterans to claim the credit remains the same, while cities, villages, townships, and counties get much-needed financial relief — it’s a win-win. I thank my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee for their support of this legislation.

The process for eligible veterans to claim their credit would continue unchanged — a disabled veteran, or widow of a disabled veteran, would file an affidavit with their local unit of government to claim the exemption, which would then defer property tax collection until the Department of Treasury dispenses payment for reimbursement.

Upon payment by the state, the local unit would provide written notification to the individual who filed the affidavit explaining the payment or rejection by the state, as well as any additional amount that may be due and the subsequent due date.

SBs 783-784 now advance to the full Senate for consideration.

I recently introduced Senate Bill 963, a bill that would change Michigan Lobbyist reporting requirements.

One of the unintended consequences of term limits is the fact lobbyists became significantly more powerful and money has been their primary weapon of influence. By requiring lobbyists to report more information and submit their financial reports more often, we can make the Legislature more transparent and honest. This will help ensure elected officials conduct themselves in a manner that best serves the people of our great state.

In addition to the monthly reporting requirement, Senate Bill 963 would make additional changes to existing law to improve transparency. The bill would:

Michigan residents expect elected officials to fairly represent the interests of their districts, but lobbyists can have a large impact on votes in both the House of Representatives and Senate. This legislation is a commonsense reform that increases transparency to restore Michiganders’ confidence in the legislative process.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Government Operations for consideration.

I was recently honored with the 2022 Friend of Oceana Agricultural Industry Award at the Oceana Conservation District’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Banquet.
I am proud to represent Oceana County and the Oceana Conservation District. The agriculture industry here and throughout our state is vital to our economy and livelihoods, and I will always work to support ag in any way I can. My thanks to the Oceana Conservation District for this prestigious award.
It was a privilege to be recognized for my years in public service representing the growers and processors that make up the backbone of Oceana County’s large agricultural economy. In Lansing, I have consistently worked to eliminate burdensome red tape, assist farmers to resolve permitting issues with state departments, and has consistently advocated for agricultural grant requests submitted by local businesses and governments across Oceana County.

For more information, you can visit www.oceanaconservation.org.

I want to remind area-residents of the following events taking place throughout the 34th District in the upcoming weeks and months:

Opening Day of the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area
Friday, April 1
Silver Lake ORV Area
8960 W Fox Rd
Mears, MI 49436

Description: Enjoy the Opening Day of the Silver Lake State Park ORV Area. More information can be found here.


Easter Egg Hunt and Crafts
Saturday, April 2
10:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Muskegon Area District Library – Egelston Branch
5428 E. Apple Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49442

Description: Search for Easter eggs, and take home a craft. Fun for everyone. More information can be found here.


Easter Extravaganza
Saturday, April 9
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Katie and Company
65 W State Rd
Newaygo, MI 49337

Description: Easter Egg Hunt (hunt for a special discount off your purchase!) Bring your kids in for table art and display their creativity in the shop window! Try some delectable sweets by The Pastry Slayer! More information can be found here.


Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 16
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Veterans Memorial Park
119 W Main St
Fremont, MI 49412

Description: Please join us for an Easter Egg Hunt! Open to the Public Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 12:00pm Age Groups 0-3, 4-6 and 7-11 Veterans Memorial Park, Downtown Fremont MI Light lunch at the Fremont Moose Lodge after the egg hunt Easter Bunny will be at the Moose Lodge from 2:00pm to 3:00pm for pictures. More information can also be found here.


Home, Garden + Boat Show 2022
Friday, April 22, 2022
4:00 PM - Saturday, April 23, 2022 5:00 PM
VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center
460 West Western Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: The Muskegon Lakeshore Home, Garden + Boat Show features over 60 exhibitors including everything from windows, boats, gutters, and painting to home décor, furniture, landscaping and much more! Back by popular demand, the Do-It-Yourself and Demonstration seminars will highlight floral design, cooking demonstrations, and more! More information can also be found here.


Muskegon Lake Annual Spring Cleanup 2022
Sunday, April 24
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
CIO Hall
490 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: The Muskegon Lake Watershed will be cleaned up by volunteers at twelve different locations from the lower Muskegon River to Lake Michigan. Volunteers, just show up! Bring your family, friends and co-workers. Meet new people, make new friends. A great way to do good for our community! More information can also be found here.


Trash Bash 2022
Sunday, April 24
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
124 W Hanson Street
Whitehall, MI 49461

Description: The White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce seeks the public’s help to act as “Trash Bashers” and clean up North and South of the bike trail, shoreline areas, and waterways at Trash Bash 2022! Come one, come all! Groups and volunteers with waders, kayaks, and/or canoes are greatly needed. WaterDog Outfitters will offer free kayak rentals the day of the event for those interested in cleaning up the waterways. More information can also be found here.


Coffee Connect
Thursday, April 28
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM
The Book Nook & Java Shop
8744 Ferry Street
Montague, MI 49437

Description: Coffee Connect is a brand-new event that allows you to learn about other members, build relationships, and try out a local coffee spot! Each Coffee Connect will take place at a different Chamber member location, allowing for a new environment each time! This is the perfect way to get back into connecting with fellow Chamber Members and business leaders. More information can be found here.