Stamas, Glenn sponsor Szymanski memorial highway bills
Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, and I have introduced legislation to honor Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Szymanski, who was killed while on duty during a training exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2014.

America remains the beacon of freedom and liberty in the world today because of the courage of patriots like Lance Cpl. Szymanski. After earning his associate degree in criminal justice, Steven decided to serve his country in the Marines, and this memorial highway is a way for us to show our deep appreciation for his service and his sacrifice.

Senate Bill 280 and House Bill 4485 would designate a portion of U.S. 10 from Jefferson Ave. to Bay City Road in Midland as the “Marine Lance Corporal Steven J. Szymanski Memorial Highway.”

Szymanski was a 2008 graduate of Midland High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2013. He is survived by his parents, John and Dawn, and sister Ashlie. The bills would have no fiscal impact on the state or local government.

Free travel guide now available
Spring is in full swing, and summer is just around the corner. 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.

Residents can order a printed guide or download a digital version at https://www.michigan.org/travel-guide.

Check your state tax refund status online
Michigan taxpayers can check on the status of their state income tax refund online at www.michigan.gov/wheresmyrefund. E-filers should allow two weeks from the date the return was accepted. Paper filers should allow six to eight weeks before checking for information.

To ensure privacy and security, taxpayers must provide their Social Security number, tax year, filing status, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or Total Household Resources (THR). The AGI is located on line 10 of the MI-1040; THR is found on line 33 of the MI-1040CR or line 34 of the MI-1040CR-7.

Detroit teams license plates now available
Last year, Gov. Rick Snyder signed my legislation to help charitable organizations connected with Detroit’s professional sports teams raise funds.

Public Act 326 of 2018 allows the secretary of state’s office to develop and issue fundraising license plates recognizing the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers.

The new plates were recently announced, and Michigan drivers can now help these nonprofits and all they do for Michigan children and our communities by purchasing a fundraising license plate of their favorite team. These new plates give residents a chance to support the work of these organizations while also showing off their team spirit.

The plates can be ordered at ExpressSOS.com, by mail or at any secretary of state office. As with other fundraising license plates, when a Detroit team plate is ordered, $25 of the $35 purchase fee and the entire $10 renewal fee each year will go to that team’s charitable foundation: Detroit Lions Charities, Detroit Pistons Foundation, Detroit Red Wings Foundation or Detroit Tigers Foundation.

Drive with caution in work zones
As the road construction season swings into high gear, it’s important to keep work zone safety in mind. Last season, an estimated 18 people died and 1,972 were injured in work zone crashes in Michigan.

Most crashes are caused by distracted drivers. Safety officials advise drivers to minimize distractions, obey road crews and signs, pay attention to other drivers, obey speed limits, keep a safe distance and expect the unexpected when driving through a work zone. Motorists can check current and future lane closures and active incidents on state highways at www.michigan.gov/drive.

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.

April 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.

Spring ushers in new state laws
Several new laws impacting schools, health care and veterans that passed late last year went into effect earlier this spring, including:

Public Act 418 of 2018 allows individuals with certain skills, certification or professional experience to substitute teach. There is a serious shortage of substitute teachers in Michigan. The new law makes more qualified individuals available to substitute teach in difficult-to-fill areas.

Public Act 669 of 2018 waives the fee for veterans who want to get a state identification card. Many veterans are on a fixed income and every little bit helps. A state ID with their veteran designation as proof of service can help someone obtain discounts and other benefits that many businesses provide to veterans.