Importantly, the Muskegon Family Care would receive $3.4 million from the state Health and Human Services budget to help in its efforts to support community members’ physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Our plan also prioritizes an increase in revenue sharing for local governments and additional resources to train and hire 170 new Michigan State Police troopers and an additional 800 corrections officers. It also provides a $1 million increase for Secondary Road Patrol grants that help support emergency response and traffic enforcement on local county roads.

As the legislature continues to move forward with the budget process, these bills will go to conference committee for additional negotiation to take place.

The Michigan Senate also recently approved the MI Family Inflation Relief Plan, which will bring lasting financial relief to families and local governments.

The MI Family Inflation Relief Plan is comprised of two bills; House Bill 4568 introduced by Representative Matt Hall and Senate Bill 784, which I introduced to combat an unfunded mandate from the state.

This plan will put $2.5 billion back into the pockets of Michiganders, who could use it now more than ever. This legislative package will provide significant financial relief to Michigan Families, seniors and veterans. HB 4568 would reduce the income tax rate, increases the Earned Income Tax Credit and provides additional tax relief to families and seniors.

I introduced SB 784 to amend the 100% disabled veteran’s property tax exemption. SB 784 would ensure that 100% disabled veterans and the spouses of those killed in action receive a 100% property tax exemption through the same process that currently exists. It would also set a $2,000 property tax cap for veterans who are more than 50% disabled but less than 100% disabled. However, this legislation provides that our local units of governments are held harmless and would require that the state be responsible for reimbursing local units for the property tax exemptions. This relieves a huge amount of stress that our local municipalities are currently faced with.

The MI Family Inflation Relief Plan will also help residents specifically by:

Both HB 4568 and SB 784 were approved by both the House and Senate and now move to the governor’s desk for approval.

The Senate approved a Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) bill to support $84.6 million in park and trail developments and acquisitions across Michigan, including two projects in Muskegon County.

The Natural Resources Trust Fund is a great way to reinvest money into our state’s outdoor recreational opportunities without added costs to taxpayers. The bill we approved devotes tens of millions of dollars to support well over 100 projects across Michigan. The two Muskegon County projects will provide West Michigan families with even more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in our beautiful part of the state.

In Muskegon, the Muskegon Sand project would be authorized to acquire 162 acres within the coastal zone boundary of Lake Michigan. The acquisition of this northern portion constitutes the second phase of the Muskegon Sand project. Upon completion of the second phase, the public will be able to enjoy approximately 1,460 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline and 9,490 feet of shoreline along inland lakes.

In North Muskegon, a project at Russell Road Park would construct a new baseball diamond and a universal access hunting blind within the wooded portion of the park. The site would also include driveway access, parking, walkways and spectator seating.

The NRTF is supported by interest earned on funds generated from the development of state-owned mineral rights. Since its inception in 1976, the NRTF has been used to fund 2,715 projects totaling $1.3 billion.

Senate Bill 1028 would authorize the NRTF to use $45.6 million in restricted funds to support 22 acquisition projects and 95 development projects. Local matching funds of $39 million would bring the total investment to $84.6 million.

SB 1028 now heads to the House for consideration.

The time is near – the deadline for the governor to sign off on the proposed Little River Band of Ottawa Indians casino project in Muskegon County is June 16.

The casino’s residual economic impact will support additional jobs and businesses, as well as boost tourism in the region with an estimated 1.8 million visitors per year. It is also estimated that the casino will annually generate $15 million in tax revenue for the state and millions more for local governments.

I have been a constant supporter of the casino project, and I have been encouraging the governor to quickly approve the plan so that construction of this major facility could promptly begin.

My thanks to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians for their commitment to Muskegon County, and to all local officials and residents who have been so vocal in their support. I strongly encourage our West Michigan residents to continue contacting the governor’s office to let your voices be heard. You can reach the governor’s office by calling 517-335-7858.

You can read more about the project at SenatorJonBumstead.com/Casino/.

Now that spring has arrived in Michigan, it is time to get outdoors and hit the trails. Michigan ORV licenses and trail permits are valid for one year, beginning April 1 through March 31 of the following year.

An ORV license is not required to operate on private lands, but a license will gain you access to ride on eligible county roads, frozen surfaces of public waters, state forest roads (open to ORV use) and eligible national forest roads. The cost of an ORV license is $26.

An ORV trail permit is required when operating on state-designated ORV trails and scramble areas. ORV trail permits are not valid as a stand-alone license; an ORV license must also be purchased. ORV licenses and trail permits can be purchased online through eLicense (sent through the U.S. mail and will take approximately 7-10 business days) or in person at a number of DNR license agents and dealers.

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

Memorial Weekend Arts, Crafts & Vendor Show 2022
Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Brooks Park
Newaygo, MI 49337

Description: Enjoy perusing 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.

Greater Muskegon Memorial Day Parade and Music Ceremony
Monday, May 30
9:00 AM
East on Morris Ave., south on Terrace St., west on Clay Ave.
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
2:00 PM
Fruitport, MI 49415

Description: Route is from Fruitport Middle School on Pontaluna Road east to 3rd Ave, south to Park St., west to 6th Ave., north to Beech St., west to Fruitport Community School bus garage. More information can be found here.

Fremont Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 30
6:30 PM
Main St.
Fremont, MI 49412

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

Run Forrest Run 5K
Saturday, June 4
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Bellwether Harbor
7645 West 48th St.
Fremont MI 49412

Description: The 17th annual Run Forrest Run 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk will be back in person and at a new location! This race is our largest fundraiser and benefits the abandoned, abused and neglected animals. More information can be found here.

D-Day Event
Saturday, June 4
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
560 Mart St.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Day long WWII Living History event featuring Reenactors/historians, encampment, displays, military vehicles, Mock Battles an Air Raid over the Warship USS LST 393. More information can be found here.

Blessing of the Duners
Saturday, June 4
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Silver Lake Sand Dunes State Park
8960 W Fox Road
Mears, MI 49436

Description: Join the blessing of the Duners! The Blessing will be in the NE corner of the ORV section of the Silver Lake State Park on the Sand Dunes.

16th Annual Muskegon Pub Pedal
Saturday June 4
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
683 Shoreline Dr.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Riding bikes, drinking beer and raising money for local Muskegon families.

Newaygo County Kids Day
Noon – 3:00 PM
Brooks Park
28 State Road
Newaygo, MI 49337

Description: free of charge to all who attend! Highlights of the day include free lunch for kids, games, raffle prizes, arts & crafts and much more. More information can be found here.

National Asparagus Festival
Saturday, June 11 – June 12
Downtown Hart
16 S State St.
Hart, MI 49420

Description: Spear-it 5k, Arts and Crafts Fair, Farm Tour, Kids Zone, Taste of Asparagus, Royal Parade, Fly-in Breakfast, and the new Hoedown event. More information can be found here.

Pentwater Community Garage Sale
Saturday, June 11
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pentwater Chamber of Commerce
324 S. Hancock St.
Pentwater, MI 49449

Description: Garage Sales throughout Pentwater with a Virtual Map available Thursday before. More information can be found here.

Water Safety Class at the Muskegon South Pierhead light
Saturday, June 18
3:00 PM – 5:00PM
1431 Beach St.
Muskegon, MI 49441

Description: A great opportunity to learn more about water safety to practice a safe a secure summer by the beach with loved ones. This event is open free to the public and will be offered 2 more times through the summer.

Dressing The Abbey
June 23 – September 12
11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49440

Description: Experience original costumes worn by the stars of Downton Abbey that depict fashions of the British aristocracy in the early 20th century. More information can be found here.

Electric Forest
Thursday, June 23 – Monday, June 27
1:00 PM – 12:00 PM
5900 S Water Road
Rothbury, MI 49452

Description: Outdoor Music Festival. For more information can be found here.

Tacos for Trail
Saturday, June 25
Noon – 3:00 PM
327 S Hancock St.
Pentwater, MI 49449

Description: Pentwater Hart Trail annual ride/run walk 5K fundraiser. More information can be found here.