Here at the state Capitol, we’re working hard on next year’s state budget. Senate Appropriations subcommittees recently finished their budget plans, including the Natural Resources and Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Appropriations subcommittee, which I serve as chairman.

The full Appropriations Committee is finalizing all of the budgets this week, and the Senate is currently on track to pass a responsible and balanced budget outline early next month.

My colleagues and I in the Senate will continue our years-long priority of responsibly funding key programs and services without increasing taxes.

I am hopeful the budget will be completed well ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline.

With the recent passage of my Senate Bill 565, which was signed by the governor and is now Public Act 53 of 2022, funding has become available to make improvements at state parks throughout Michigan.

Among the shovel ready eligible parks is P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon. The park is situated on three miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline and features a modern campground, towering dunes, 10 miles of scenic trails and the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center.

Some of the improvements the DNR will be undertaking with the new funds include renovations to the campground, day use roads, and dune trail modernization.

The parks funding was part of a larger $4.7 billion investment plan to preserve and restore the state’s water infrastructure as well as to improve roads and bridges, among other projects.

Click here for more information about the park.

The Michigan Senate approved legislation to receive and distribute Michigan’s share of a nationwide opioid settlement for the next 18 years.

Michigan is set to receive nearly $800 million in opioid settlement payments from three major pharmaceutical distributors, Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, along with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.

The national agreement is the result of years of negotiations to resolve more than 4,000 claims of alleged misuse and abuse of opioid products and is the second largest multistate agreement in U.S. history, second only to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

Senate Bill 993, would create the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund to receive dollars from the national opioid settlement or any future opioid case. It would fund abatement practices and support for opioid use disorder and substance use disorder or mental health treatment and related efforts as required by the settlement.

SB 994 would create the Opioid Advisory Commission within the Legislative Council to annually review local, state, and federal initiatives and activities related to education, prevention, treatment, and services for people and families affected by substance use disorders and make funding and legislative recommendations to the Legislature.

SB 995 would create the Opioid Liability Litigation Act to fulfill the terms of the settlement agreement.

The bills now move to the Michigan House for consideration.

As gas prices continue to rise, families across the state are struggling to fill up their cars. That is why I supported House Bill 5570, which would have suspended the state’s excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. Unfortunately, House Bill 5570 was vetoed. With the removal of the state gas tax Michiganders would have saved 27 cents per gallon at the pump, or $750 million over six months.

Also, recently Senate Republicans spearheaded a bipartisan effort to provide relief to struggling families across Michigan. This plan included income taxes cuts for everyone in Michigan, provide families with a $500 per child tax credit, and protect more income for our seniors. Unfortunately, this effort did not meet the governor’s approval, but Senate Republicans and Democrats will continue finding ways to work together to help Michigan families.

Each year, more than 5,000 volunteers join forces with DNR employees to protect and restore Michigan’s natural resources. Every spring, the DNR hosts events at state parks and recreation areas to clean up these areas after the long, harsh winter. Events continue each month with year-round opportunities to visit these sites and help conserve and protect Michigan’s natural and cultural resources.

A great way to get started is to sign up for the upcoming DNR volunteer stewardship workday, happening Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mears State Park in Oceana County.

For more information, to register or to see a full calendar of events, visit the DNR’s Get Involved page.

I want to remind area-residents of the following events taking place throughout the 34th District in the upcoming weeks and months:

Opening of historic sites
Monday, May 2
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hackley and Hume Historic Site
484 W Webster Ave
Muskegon, MI 49440

Fire Barn Museum
510 W Clay Ave
Muskegon, MI 49440
Scolnik House of the Depression Era
504 W Clay Ave
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: The Hackley and Hume Historic Site, Fire Barn Museum, and Scolnik House of the Depression Era, located in Muskegon’s downtown historic district, welcome guests for specialty tours, engaging programming, and special events throughout the season, May-October.

Soil, Seeds, and Sunlight! Growing Your Garden
Tuesday, May 3
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hackley Public Library
316 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Join Community Gardeners at Hackley Library to learn the latest on growing productive and beautiful gardens, plus help save our pollinators, butterflies and honeybees! More information can be found here.

Muskegon STAR! certification training
Wednesday, May 4
5 – 9 p.m.
Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
380 W. Western Ave., Suite 202
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Participants will gain valuable information, so they can speak knowledgeably about the community to friends, family and visitors. Those who complete the session will receive a star pin, certificate and some museum passes to further community knowledge. More information can be found here.

Ninth Annual White Lake Community Business Expo
Saturday, May 21
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Viking Athletic and Activity Complex
541 E. Slocum St.
Whitehall, MI 49461

Description: The expo, presented by the White Lake Area Chamber, is FREE to the public! This is a high-energy, fun event complete with prizes, and a chance to see the businesses that make the area so great. More information can be found here.

Chalk it up in Pentwater
Saturday, May 21
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
226 S. Hancock
Pentwater, 49449

Description: Let’s Chalk up the sidewalks in Pentwater! More information can be found here.

Little Sable Lighthouse Opens
Friday, May 27
287 North Lighthouse Dr.
Mears, MI 49436

Description: Little Sable Lighthouse opens for the season on May 27 and will remain open from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM 7 days a week until the 18th of September.

Memorial Weekend Arts, Crafts and Vendor Show 2022
Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Brooks Park
Newaygo, MI 49337

Description: Enjoy a stroll through Brooks Park to see handmade crafts, one-of-a kind-resale items, listen to live music and enjoy a variety of food trucks. More information can be found here.

Memorial Weekend Amateur Salmon and Trout Fishing Derby
Friday, May 28 – Sunday, May 30
Pentwater Municipal Marina
519 S Hancock St.
Pentwater, MI 49449

Description: Registartion will take place at the Pentwater Municipal Marina on Friday, May 28 for 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. More information can be found here.


Greater Muskegon Memorial Day Parade and Music Ceremony
Monday, May 30
9 a.m.
East on Morris Avenue, south on Terrace Street, west on Clay Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Immediately following the conclusion of the parade, a musical Memorial Day ceremony will be held in the Frauenthal Center, featuring the Mona Shores High School Marching Band. This event is free and open to the public. More information can be found here.


Fruitport Old Fashioned Days Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 30
2 p.m.
Fruitport, MI 49415

Description: The route is from Fruitport Middle School on Pontaluna Road east to Third Avenue, south to Park St., west to Sixth Avenue, north to Beech Street, west to Fruitport Community Schools bus garage. More information can be found here.

Fremont Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 30
6:30 p.m.
Main Street
Fremont, MI 49412

Description: The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs down Main Street from the fire department to Veterans Memorial Park with a service at the park starting at 6:45 p.m. More information can be found here.