Dear Friends,

To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I’m offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I am active on social media to help keep you updated. You can check out my Facebook page, my  official account on X or my Instagraam account for recent updates.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.  Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Working for you,

Mark Huizenga
State Senator

It was a pleasure to attend and speak at the Advocates for Senior Issues 2026 Meeting. We had a great discussion, and I answered questions on issues such as utilities, health care and rising costs for seniors.

As your state senator, I will always advocate for seniors to receive the right care and resources they need and deserve.

It was an honor to attend the International Holocaust Remembrance Day Observance at the Michigan State Capitol. It’s a day to commemorate the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The event brought together local leaders, legislators and survivors living in Michigan to honor the memory of the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust.

May we never forget!

I recently had the opportunity to meet with local business owners from the area to discuss the pressing issues facing their industries.

I want to thank Americans for Prosperity of Michigan for inviting me to participate in the business roundtable, where we discussed topics around regulation, energy and the impacts of rising costs.

It was a great opportunity to share stories, perspectives, build relationships and find ways to create real solutions.

Across Michigan, restaurants are the heart of our communities. They are places where we gather, share meals and make memories. Last year, new regulations threatened to eliminate the tipped wage system, driving up costs for owners and customers while leaving servers with less take home pay.

I am proud that we passed a bipartisan solution to save the tipped wage and supported no tax on tips in the recent state budget, strengthening local small businesses and supporting service industry workers across our state.

Click here or on the image below to watch a short video from last year highlighting the problem facing our restaurants and workers.

This week, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week! A time to celebrate an educational community that helps instill a broad, values-based education and serves thousands of young Michiganders. I was proud to co-sponsor a resolution officially recognizing January 25-31 as Catholic Schools Week in our state.

Here in the 30th District, I am proud to represent many Catholic schools that provide our kids with a quality education and emphasize strong social values.

Happy Catholic Schools Week!

The January 2026 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference confirmed that Michigan’s current spending trajectory is unsustainable. State fiscal experts lowered revenue projections by $779 million for the current budget year and by roughly $1.1 billion for the upcoming fiscal year when compared with estimates approved in May 2025.

State and economic leaders meet at least twice each year, in January and May, to review economic conditions and update revenue estimates.

Michigan’s finances and overall economic direction continue to move in the wrong direction. The state is facing an affordability crisis, with inflation, wages and population growth lagging well behind national averages.

Government must become more efficient and prioritize what residents truly need, like safer communities and an education system that improves student outcomes.

Michigan 211 is a free service that connects residents with local resources. As winter temperatures drop to dangerous levels, trained specialists help individuals find assistance tailored to their needs. The website provides information on food pantries, local warming centers, and help with housing or utility bills.

Michigan 211 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To find help:

The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give blood. Severe weather and widespread influenza led to the cancellation of about 400 blood drives nationwide last month, including 12 in Michigan.

Nearly one in seven people who enter a hospital in the U.S. will need blood. To meet that demand, about 6.8 million blood donations are required each year.

In Michigan, individuals as young as 16 may donate blood with parental consent. Information on donation locations is available by calling 800-RED-CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.

Serving the people of West Michigan is very important to me and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may contact me by calling toll-free 1-855-347-8030 or emailing SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.

I look forward to serving you, and I encourage you to contact me if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.