Dear Friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. As always, I hope you find the news and information below helpful. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you feel may be interested.

My staff and I are available should you have any thoughts or concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact my office at [email protected] or at 517-373-1777.

Sincerely,

Kevin Daley
State Senator
26th District

This month, I hosted another round of in-district office hours. I am thankful to those who took the time to join and share their concerns with me. Your input matters!

In late January and early February, we celebrated Catholic Schools Week across our nation. We appreciate the hard work of teachers, administrators, and all those involved in the Catholic education system! These institutions are pivotal in molding the minds and hearts of our youth and building a strong foundation of faith, academics, and community engagement.

Earlier this month, our nation celebrated the annual holiday remembering presidents gone before. This year, reflecting on the remarkable leaders who shaped our nation, Ronald Reagan stands out as a personal favorite. Reagan’s charismatic leadership not only resonated with the American people, but also played a crucial part in concluding the Cold War, revitalizing our economy through Reaganomics, and fostering a renewed sense of national pride. I encourage you to take a moment to honor and recognize the contributions of all presidents who have shaped the course of our great nation.

In February, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced up to $900 million would be invested into Saginaw County’s Richland Township to bring a new Corning Incorporated manufacturing facility and more than 1,000 to the area. This project will result in the creation of many quality jobs and give a tremendous boost to our economy. Michigan has always been a beacon of manufacturing greatness, and I am thrilled to see that tradition continue with Corning’s investment in the 26th Senate District.

Joe Biden’s disastrous open border policies have led to a migrant crisis like nothing our country has ever experienced. Both small communities and major U.S. cities are being overwhelmed beyond their capacities, and fentanyl continues to flood into our communities with tragic consequences.

My Republican colleagues and I have introduced the Strong Borders, Safer Communities plan. The plan includes increased penalties for the creation, manufacturing, delivery, or possession of fentanyl and requires every Michigan community to enforce state and federal immigration laws, ending the practice of so-called “sanctuary cities.”

In 2023, more than 27,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized at the border — an 860% increase compared to 2019 and enough to kill millions of Americans. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Drug overdose deaths reached a new high in 2023 and are now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. Approximately 3,000 Michiganders die each year due to overdoses.

Self-declared sanctuary cities are now being overwhelmed by illegal immigrants that they do not have the space or resources to accommodate. We must protect Michigan communities by enforcing our immigration laws and protecting our local communities.

March has arrived, and with it my encouragement to you to enjoy a good story this month. March is Reading Month is dedicated to Dr. Seuss in celebration of his birthday, March 2, and to remember his cheerful contribution to the world of literature. Follow along with me in the video below as I read “If I Were a Lineworker,” illustrated by Anna Stieve.

In 2019, Senate Republicans introduced bipartisan legislation to create the MI Reconnect Grant Act. The MI Reconnect program aims to close the skills gap and make post-secondary education more accessible to adults in Michigan seeking an associate degree or professional certificate.

The program was launched in February 2021, and since then, more than 150,000 Michiganders have benefited from the opportunity to achieve additional education or earn a professional certification. More than 32,000 Reconnect students have enrolled at a community or tribal college and more than 4,400 have earned credentials, putting them on the path to in-demand, higher-paying jobs in Michigan.

To learn more about the MI Reconnect or to apply, visit the program’s website.

The Michigan Department of Education has announced dates for two upcoming virtual job fairs.

Virtual job fairs are open to those who are looking for a job or looking to hire teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, secretaries, administrators and other education-related positions. The events will occur on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, May 8. There is no cost to participate.

Job seekers will have the opportunity to connect with school districts across the state. Interested applicants can complete a profile and upload their resume before the event. Educational employers, including local education agencies, intermediate school districts, public school academies and staffing agencies, are able to host a virtual booth at no cost. Prior to the events, employers can view resumes and send chat invitations to eligible candidates.

Visit the MDE’s Education Workforce Job Fairs site for more information or to register for one of the events.

Michigan’s Run for the Trees: Happy Little (virtual) 5K event has expanded to nine other states! The event, which was inspired by Bob Ross’s love of the outdoors, supports tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks. Runners can now choose which participating states will receive their donation.

Runners, walkers and hikers can complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 22-26. Each registration includes a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, commemorative bib number, finisher medal and Happy Little Trees sticker.

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.

Michigan Senate website: www.senate.michigan.gov
Michigan House of Representatives website: www.house.michigan.gov
Michigan Legislature website: www.legislature.mi.gov
Michigan Citizen’s Guide: Citizen’s Guide to State Government, 102nd Legislature