| | | Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the first edition of my monthly E-Newsletter! This past month has been filled with new beginnings and exciting opportunities to serve the constituents of the 31st Senate District. We’ve hit the ground running in getting the Lansing office open for business, and I am excited to keep the momentum going.
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
| Daley sworn in as state senator for the 31st District | | | This past month, I was sworn in for my first term as the state senator representing Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the 100th Legislature convened for its first day of business. The first month in office has been quite busy, but my staff and I have settled in and we are ready to get to work.
| Daley named chair of Senate Committee on Agriculture | | | I am honored to have been selected to serve as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture during the 100th Legislature.
This committee has the task of promoting and protecting our state’s agricultural assets. The state’s agricultural potential will be a crucial piece of Michigan’s continued well-being. I believe this chairmanship will help me better serve the constituents of the 31st District.
| | | | | | Additional committee assignments | | | | | | | | | In addition to chairing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I have been asked to serve on a number of other important committees. Below is a full listing of all the committees I will be serving on this term.
• Committee on Agriculture (chair);
• Committee on Environmental Quality (vice chair);
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development (vice chair);
• Committee on Education and Career Readiness;
• Committee on Finance;
• Committee on Local Government;
• Committee on Insurance and Banking; and
• Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12 and Michigan Department of Education
| | | | | | Monthly district office hours | | | | In order for me to best represent you in Lansing, I think it is important to sit down face to face and hear the needs of residents in 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.
| Daley to host 31st District photo contest | | | My office will be hosting an online photo contest featuring photos from the 31st District. From Feb. 11-22, residents of Bay, Tuscola and Lapeer counties can submit their photos on the 31st District Photo Contest page on my Senate website at www.SenatorKevinDaley.com.
After the submission period, finalist photos will be posted to the State Senator Kevin Daley page on Facebook. Visitors to the page will then be able to vote for the photos they like the most. Each finalist photo will receive one vote for each “like” it gets on Facebook.
At the end of the contest, the top three photos will be displayed in my Lansing office. The goal of this photo contest is to help promote our state by giving Bay and Thumb-area residents a fun and creative opportunity to showcase what makes the 31st District such an incredible place to live.
| New bill tackles auto insurance reform | | | | The first Senate bill of the new legislative term addresses the number one problem for many Michigan motorists — the high cost of auto insurance.
Michigan drivers pay the highest car insurance rates in the country, averaging more than 80 percent higher than the national average! While the issue has been debated for some time, new legislation could finally help fix the problem and modernize the system. Senate Bill 1 starts a conversation to reduce the cost of auto insurance, offer more insurance options and ensure accident victims have the medical care they need.
Some of the goals of the Senate auto insurance reform include:
• Allowing drivers to choose the personal injury protection coverage that best meets their needs and budget;
• Reducing medical cost inflation related to auto insurance claims;
• Cracking down on fraud and conflicts of interest; and
• Allowing seniors on Medicare to use that coverage to cover their medical costs.
By making car insurance more affordable, the legislation also aims to reduce the number of uninsured drivers. SB 1 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Banking for consideration.
| Prepare for state tax filing season | | | While Michigan’s individual income tax season begins in late January, taxpayers can get a head start on viewing and downloading the state 2018 tax year forms and instructions at www.michigan.gov/taxes.
Taxpayers can e-file their state returns when tax season begins at the end of the month at www.mifastfile.org.
The Department of Treasury reports that 84 percent of all Michigan taxpayers choose to e-file. Tax officials also note that commonly used paper forms will continue to be available at Treasury offices and most public libraries.
| Jan. 20 was Sanctity of Life Sunday.
I believe that it is always important that we celebrate the gift of life and commit to protecting human life at every stage.
| | | | | | | I recently had the chance to honor Julie Salsido as the Citizen of the Year at the Imlay City Chamber of Commerce dinner. Congratulations, Julie, and thank you for all you do!
| | Congratulations to Gary Easton on his retirement from the Lapeer County Medical Care Facility. I recently had a chance to present him with a tribute recognizing his 41 years of service. Thank you for your years of service and dedication, Gary!
| | Glenn Ream, Regina Starr, Brooklyn George, and Porter James Hughes were recently recognized as Citizens of the Year by the Lapeer Chamber of Commerce. It was an honor to present them with tributes for their outstanding contributions to their community.
| | Congratulations to Kacey Haire on receiving her Junior Citizen of the Year award from the Cass City Chamber of Commerce. Rep. Phil Green and I had the opportunity to present her with a tribute to honor the occasion.
| | It was my honor to present Dryden Township Clerk Bonnie Rumley with a tribute for her retirement this past month. Bonnie spent 40 years as clerk and has done an outstanding job serving the residents of Dryden Township.
| | Congratulations to Deerfield Township Clerk Debbie Oliver for being named Clerk of the Year by the Lapeer County Chapter of the Michigan Townships Association! I was proud to honor her with a tribute for her great service to our community. The event also honored Lapeer County Deputy Treasurer Wendy Miller as Treasurer of the Year, but she was unfortunately unable to attend.
| | 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! I am honored to represent you in the state Senate. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 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 also at my website.
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