All 18 members of the Senate Republican caucus sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, chief of engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urging them to expedite the state and federal permitting processes required for the construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel Project for Line 5.

The Great Lakes Tunnel Project, originally scheduled to begin in 2021 and be operational in 2024, is critical to ensuring energy affordability and stability in Michigan. Now, a decision on permitting is not expected until at least 2026.

Michigan uses more propane for residential purposes than any other state, and more than half of that propane comes through Line 5.

Line 5 also provides jobs to over 6,000 Michigan residents and over $464 million in labor income. Tens of thousands of jobs are dependent upon Line 5 in downstream industries such as refineries, manufacturers, airports, and businesses that rely upon all the energy products coming from the line.

With winter around the corner, the millions of Michigan residents who rely on the propane from Line 5 to keep their families warm deserve better than continued delays from state and federal agencies. The Great Lakes Tunnel Project must be completed to protect this critical energy source.

Senate Democrats have passed a series of bills to repeal commonsense safeguards to protect the health of women seeking abortions.

Last year, voters approved Proposal 3, making abortion legal in Michigan. However, they kept in place laws that protect the health and safety of women.

Michigan residents support protecting a woman’s right to know the risks associated with medical procedures, including abortion procedures.

Senate Democrats’ bills would exempt abortion clinics from licensing requirements and inspections or the reporting of vital statistics, including abortion procedures resulting in the injury or death of a patient.

All patients should have the right to basic safety standards ensured by proper oversight and transparency. Senate Republicans support providing funding for adoption services and maternal health care, protecting babies with Down syndrome, and continuing screenings to make sure a woman is not coerced into having an abortion. We will do all we can to keep in place these crucial health and safety requirements.

Fallen leaves and branches and flower beds that need to be cleared before the snow flies mean afternoons spent cleaning up our yards. While there are benefits to cutting branches before they are weighed down with snow and ice, there are also benefits to waiting until spring to fully clear out all the leaves. Here are a few tips for your annual fall cleanup:

Michigan is the third largest apple producer in the nation. With more than 14.9 million apple trees across 34,500 acres and 775 family-run farms throughout the state, apples are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in Michigan.

This year’s apple crop is expected to yield 32 million bushels – the second year in a row Michigan will harvest an above-average crop. Those apples will be sold at one of Michigan’s 150 farmers markets and cider mills in more than 12,000 retail grocery stores in 32 states and 18 countries.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are our nation’s highest honors given to teachers for K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Since the program was established by Congress in 1983, more than 5,200 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom.

Anyone — principals, teachers, parents, students, or members of the public — may nominate an exceptional science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher. Nominations for this year’s outstanding K-6 educators to receive the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are now open.

Michigan’s 33rd Senate District now includes Montcalm and Newaygo counties, along with parts of Ionia, Lake, Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

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