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 Instagram 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

My office has been contacted by numerous concerned residents who are simply trying to get answers from the Michigan Department of Treasury regarding delays in their refunds or questions about incorrect notices.

My colleagues in the Senate Republican caucus joined me in demanding answers from State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks about the ongoing delays and poor communication plaguing the department. The request urges the department to clearly communicate the cause of ongoing tax refund delays, the steps being taken to resolve them and the expected timeline for processing affected returns.

Lawmakers have heard from constituents around the state who have waited months for their refunds with little or no explanation. A large number of callers report being unable to speak with a live representative and instead receiving generic messages stating their returns remain under review, without any indication of the issue or the steps needed to resolve it. As a former tax expert, I understand that transitions to new systems can be challenging but the delays, poor service and inability to get an answer from a Treasury representative are unacceptable — the problems go well beyond new software.

Many people are relying on their tax refund for relief, and I understand the frustration about being unable to get basic answers from the department. Families have worked hard for their money, and it’s theirs, not the government’s. Taxpayers shouldn’t be left waiting indefinitely until the department figures out its own internal issues. People deserve a timely response from a real person and a clear path to getting the refund they are owed.

Since the filing season began in January, approximately 250,000 Michigan taxpayers have experienced refund delays, and roughly 27,000 incorrect notices have been sent to filers. If you are experiencing issues with a tax refund, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

I had a very special guest on the most recent episode of the Conversations with Mark podcast. Michigan Railroad Association President Jon Cool stopped by to discuss the behind-the-scenes aspects of the railroad industry and its critical importance to our state and national economies. Railroads allow other industries to thrive, something that has shown to be especially true right here in Michigan with the auto industry.

Click here or on the image below to watch the podcast. The episode is now available on all major platforms, and new episodes drop every other Thursday at noon.

Congratulations to Kuyper College President Dr. Patricia R. Harris, who will be retiring at the end of this month.

Dr. Harris’ departure concludes nine impactful years as president and 13 years in senior leadership at the college.

She has left a lasting mark on the institution that will benefit students for generations, and I join the university and Grand Rapids communities in thanking her for her dedicated service and wishing her the best!

Did you know there are procedures in place if your vehicle is stuck on the railroad tracks, if there is damage to safety gates or lights, or other issues at railway crossings?

June 24 was Emergency Notification Awareness Day, and it reminds people that every railway crossing has a blue sign with a phone number to contact if there is an issue, especially if your car stops on the tracks. The advance notice allows dispatch to stop the train well before a tragedy occurs.

Remember to maintain safety around railroad crossings and remind your family and loved ones, especially young drivers, about ENS signs.

I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the groundbreaking for the future location of the new, multi-use trail connecting Ann and Leonard streets along the east bank of the Grand River.

This new byway link will connect Downtown Grand Rapids to Riverside Park and the White Pine Trail, with future phases adding underpasses at various street and railroad bridges.

As a proud supporter of our trail systems, these new additions allow families to enjoy the outdoors safely and connect communities across West Michigan.

Congratulations to Davenport University President Dr. Richard Pappas on retiring after 17 years at the school and more than 50 years in higher education.

My office was honored to present a state of Michigan tribute recognizing his lifelong commitment to education and that the university had named the football stadium in his honor.

Rapid Growth Media recently did an excellent write up on efforts in our region to help curb hunger for West Michigan families and highlighted some phenomenal local volunteer efforts in our region.

Having seen first-hand the excellent work the organization does, I am honored to be featured in the story alongside longtime West Michigan organization, Kids’ Food Basket.

You can read the full article here.

If you spot a hen turkey leading a line of baby turkeys, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to hear from you.

The department is conducting its latest experiment to determine how well turkeys are reproducing throughout the state.

Between July 1 and Aug. 31, simply report any wild turkey sightings using the online survey form available on the turkey brood survey webpage.

Participants will be asked a few short questions about:

Anyone can participate in the online survey. Additional information from the DNR can be found here.

Michigan is one of the nation’s top blueberry producers, growing over 20 varieties across 17,000 acres and supporting more than 6,600 full-time jobs.

Most commercial blueberries are grown in southwest Michigan, where sandy soil and a high water table in Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren counties create ideal growing conditions.

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.