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Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter! This past month has been filled with exciting opportunities to serve the constituents of the 31st Senate District. I’ve been able to take your concerns directly to Lansing, and I am proud to continue to do so.
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,
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Kevin Daley
State Senator
31st District
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Daley legislation honoring Blue Star Families heads to governor
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On Thursday, Feb. 20, the Michigan Senate approved legislation, which I sponsored, that would create a special recognition license plate honoring Michigan families who have a member serving in the U.S. military.
We can never fully thank the men and women who serve our country or their families for making such tremendous sacrifices. Thankfully, we have organizations like Blue Star Families that dedicate endless time and resources to ensuring families who have a member serving in the armed forces are taken care of.
Senate Bill 118 requires the secretary of state to develop and issue a special recognition license plate recognizing Blue Star Families. Under the bill, residents who are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces — or members of their immediate family — would be able to apply for the special recognition plate.
The plate will include a Blue Star Families insignia and the words “Blue Star Family” under the registration numbers.
Blue Star Families and Blue Star Mothers have been providing an unparalleled support network to military families for nearly 80 years. I am proud to have sponsored this legislation and worked with local chapters of the organization to get this legislation introduced. These ladies deserve every bit of recognition we are able to give them. The bill will now go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for final approval.
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Daley: Road bonding kicks can down the road, offers no local road repairs
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The governor recently addressed the Legislature in her State of the State address, where she announced her plan to issue $3.5 billion in road and bridge building bonds to fix our state’s crumbling roads. After proposing a 45-cent gas tax increase that the people of Michigan overwhelmingly opposed last year, the governor’s new plan is to go around the Legislature, max out the state’s credit card, and stick Michigan families with the bill.
To make matters worse, the $3.5 billion can only be used on state-owned roads. That means our local roads — the roads we use every day to travel to work, school and the grocery store, and the roads that are in most need of repair — will not receive any of this additional funding.
Bonding is a financing mechanism, not a funding source, and it certainly isn’t a long-term road funding plan. Borrowing $3.5 billion now just to pay that plus interest back later, with none of that money going to local roads, is not the answer.
Despite the governor’s criticisms of the Legislature, I remain committed to moving Michigan forward and working with my colleagues in both the House and Senate on a comprehensive, long-term solution that improves all the roads in our state, instead of relying on adding more debt that our children will have to pay off.
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March is Reading Month and a great time to reinforce the benefits of reading with young students.
Reading is the foundation for success in school and beyond. I look forward to visiting many local elementary schools in March as a guest reader to share the fun and importance of reading. I also have special bookmarks available to encourage the reading habit. Please let me know if you would like to receive one!
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Recreation Passport fee increasing to $12 on March 1
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that the regular Recreation Passport vehicle entry fee for residents will increase from $11 to $12 as of March 1, 2020. This $1 increase is the first Recreation Passport price increase since 2013.
Michigan residents who purchase a Recreation Passport can enjoy vehicle access to more than 100 state parks and recreation areas, 140 state forest campgrounds, hundreds of miles of state trails, historic sites, family-friendly events, hundreds of boating access sites, and more.
To learn more about how the Recreation Passport supports, protects and provides easy, affordable access to Michigan’s great outdoors, visit www.Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention
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When winter temperatures plummet and home heating systems are running for hours, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases. Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency room each year due to accidental CO poisoning. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill without warning, but there are steps you can take to keep your family safe.
Installing battery-operated or battery backup CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home, having your furnace professionally inspected every year and never using a generator inside your home are a few easy ways to help keep your family safe from CO poisoning.
For more information on carbon monoxide, including signs of CO poisoning and additional tips on way to prevent CO poisoning, visit www.cdc.gov/co.
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Contact my office for assistance during tax season
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My office offers a free Michigan Taxpayer’s Guide that may be helpful in filling out state income tax forms for the 2019 tax year. Though not a substitute for the Michigan Department of Treasury tax instruction booklets, the 2020 Michigan Taxpayer’s Guide contains information on the Michigan individual income tax, including state income tax credits, and the property tax.
Please visit the “Publications” page on my website for a link to the tax guide or contact my office for a print copy.
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With the winter heating season in full swing, some households may need help with their heating bills. Energy assistance programs to help prevent shut-offs include:
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Winter protection plans for senior citizens and low-income customers;
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State emergency relief;
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Medical emergency shut-off protection; and
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Shut-off protection for active duty military personnel.
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Monthly district office hours
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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 the residents of 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 “Office Hours” under the “Resources” tab.
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Last month, I had the pleasure of presenting a special tribute to Mary Kulis in recognition of her dedicated service to the Bay and Thumb regions.
Mary has been an active community member on behalf of Consumers Energy, serving on boards throughout the 31st District. Congratulations on her retirement after 39 years of outstanding work.
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I had the wonderful pleasure of hosting the Rev. Chad Minkler and his wife Amanda from Charis New Testament Church in Vassar.
Chad delivered a wonderful invocation before the Senate.
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It was great to present a special tribute to Eldon Card, long time Oregon Township Supervisor, for his recognition as the Shriners 2020 Clown of the Year!
Also, I want to extend a special thank you to Paul Spencer, Oregon Township Clerk and Chair of the Lapeer County chapter of the Michigan Township Association, for inviting me to their quarterly meeting to present “Candy the Clown” with this special tribute!
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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.
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Celebrating a special occasion?
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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.
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State government resources
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Michigan's 31st Senate District
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The 31th state Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.
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Senator Kevin Daley
5200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: 517-373-1777
FAX: 517-373-5871
E-Mail: [email protected]
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| Visit my website at: SenatorKevinDaley.com
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Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! 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 at my website.
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