I am happy to announce that the 32nd State Senate District office has been open and ready to serve. The newly drawn 32nd District is comprised of the majority of Muskegon and Manistee counties, as well as all of Oceana, Mason, and Benzie counties.

In addition to serving approximately 265,000 residents of these counties, I am honored to have been assigned to serve on the following committees in the Michigan state Senate.

My office can be contacted at 517-373-1635 or [email protected]. The mailing address is Sen. Jon Bumstead, P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909.

Every January, state and economic leaders come together to offer their economic and state tax revenue projections at the first of at least two annual Consensus Revenue Estimating Conferences. The annual conferences, held during the second week of January and the third week in May, are required by statute.

The January report reminded us that our state continues to operate with historical levels of projected surplus, thanks to an increase in tax revenue higher than the economist had predicted in the May conference report from last year.

The state’s revenue forecast is anticipated to trigger a permanent individual income tax rate reduction. If handled properly by current leadership, the reduction would take effect for the 2023 tax year and could possibly lead to an individual income tax rate reduction from 4.25% to 4.05%, according to the non-partisan House and Senate fiscal agencies.

With more than 40 ski areas across the state, you are always within a two-hour drive of the thrills of skiing and snowboarding. Michigan ranks second in the U.S. for the number of places to enjoy this exciting, family-friendly winter sport.

The Cold is Cool Passport, which allows fourth and fifth graders to ski for free in Michigan, is a great opportunity to get kids out on the slopes and try the sport. The passport, sponsored by the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, allows families to receive up to three lift tickets at 29 participating ski hills. Other discounts are also available.

For more information or to register for the passport visit the Cold is Cool Passport site.

In the fall of 2022, the DNR successfully restocked 7.8 tons of fish at 85 locations across the state. The restocking is part of its ongoing efforts to provide enhanced fishing opportunities throughout Michigan. The fall 2022 fish restocking consisted of four fish species: brook trout, Eagle Lake and steelhead strain rainbow trout, walleye, and muskellunge.

The first known hatchery in Michigan was a brook trout hatchery started in Clarkston in 1867; the first state hatchery was built in Pokagon in Cass County in 1873. Since that time, Michigan has developed a robust fisheries management program that includes six state hatcheries and three cooperative hatcheries that work together to produce the species, strain and size of fish needed by fisheries managers. Biologists, technicians, and management teams work together year-round to decide how to best manage Michigan’s fisheries, develop re-stocking programs and how to best manage invasive species in the Great Lakes, and in Michigan’s inland lakes and streams.

For more information on fisheries management in Michigan the DNR’s fisheries management page.

The DNR has announced a free snowmobiling weekend.

The free weekend, which lands on Feb. 11-12, comes as a result of Public Acts 55 and 56, passed by the Legislature in 2022. During these two days, snowmobilers can operate their machines without the need for a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, including trail maps, visit Michigan.gov/snowmobiling.

I want to remind area residents of the following events taking place throughout the 32nd District in the upcoming weeks.

USS Silversides Welcome Celebration
Thursday, Feb. 2
5 – 6:30 p.m.
USS Silversides Submarine Museum
1346 Bluff St.
Muskegon

Description: Join the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the new executive director for the USS Silversides Museum! More Information here.

Tree and Shrub Planting Workshop
Thursday, Feb. 2
5 – 7 p.m.
Manistee West Shore Community College
400 River St.
Manistee

Description: The workshop is geared toward professionals and landowners interested in planting their own trees and shrubs. Snacks will be provided. More information here.

White Lake Wonderland
Friday – Saturday, Feb. 3 – 4
All Day
Fetch Brewing Company
100 W. Colby St.
Whitehall

Description: A weekend of great events that encourage you to wander the unique little cities of Montague and Whitehall that make up the White Lake Area. More Information here.

Ties and Tiaras – Daddy Daughter Dance
Friday, Feb. 3
5:30 – 8 p.m.
Radiant Church
409 S. Washington Ave.
Ludington

Description: West Shore Family Support is hosting our annual Daddy Daughter Dance. The evening will include dinner, photos, dancing, and a GLOW PARTY! More information here.

Hart Winterfest
Friday – Saturday, Feb. 3 – 4
6:30 p.m.
6 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
3480 W. Polk Road
Hart

Description: Enjoy a fun filled day with various activities all around the Hart area. Fishing tournament, vintage snowmobiles, golfing and more. More information here.

Benzonia Academy Lecture: Revisiting the sinking of the Ann Arbor
Thursday, Feb. 9
4 – 5 p.m.
The Mills Community House
891 Michigan Ave.
Benzonia

Description: A special premiere of a video simulation created of the event “The Sinking of the Ann Arbor #4 100 Years Ago” is the topic of the February Benzonia Academy Lecture. More information here.

Osborn’s Big Ice Fishing Contest
Saturday, Feb. 11
All Day
8929 Chippewa Hwy.
Bear Lake

Description: Prizes are awarded to adults and to children, in separate categories, for pike, walleye, perch, smelt, bluegill and crappie. There is also a biggest fish prize, and several door prize drawings. More information here.

Snowman Scram 1 Mile Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, Feb 11
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pentwater Public Schools
600 E Park St.
Pentwater

Description: The Snowman Scram 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile fun run is a fun wintertime event designed as a fundraiser for the Pentwater Cross Country and Track Teams. More information here.

Guided Snowshoe Hike at Ludington State Park
Saturday, Feb. 11
1 p.m.
Ludington State Park
8800 M-116
Ludington

Description: All walks begin and end at the Warming Shelter, located next to the parking lot at the park’s entrance. The park loans out 60 pairs of snowshoes that fit ages 8 and up on a first-come, first-served basis. More information here.

Michigan Winter TRY-ATHLON
Sunday, Feb 12
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Muskegon State Park
462 Scenic Dr. North
Muskegon

Description: This is your opportunity to try out three exciting Winter Olympic Sports (luge, ice speedskating and cross country skiing) in a family friendly competition smack in the heart of “Pure West Michigan.” More information here.

Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber Business After Hours
Thursday, Feb. 16
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Under Par Golf
4949 South Harvey St.
Norton Shores

Description: Join us for the first Business After Hours of 2023 at one of the hottest spots in town! Enjoy great networking, food and beverages. Plus try out their state-of-the-art golf simulators! More information here.

Benzie Area Chamber “Off the Clock” Event
Thursday, Feb. 23
5 – 7 p.m.
Grow Benzie
5885 Frankfort Hwy.
Benzonia

Description: The Mardi Gras themed “Off the Clock” event with dancing, door prizes and information and updates from the Benzie Chamber. More information here.