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 encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email [email protected]. Also, please check out my Facebook page. 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

Last week, the entire Senate Republican caucus signed onto my letter to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel urging her to end the agency’s effort to disband the Opioid Advisory Commission.

I worked to create the commission, which includes both Republican and Democrat appointees, to oversee our state’s portion of the nationwide opioid settlement and ensure that the funds are allocated effectively. The goal was to keep politics out of the equation and instead focus on how best to use the funds to address an addiction crisis that continues to devastate families across Michigan.

A plan by state Democrats to eliminate the commission has been in the works for months, according to an internal email to MDHHS officials obtained by Bridge Michigan through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Michigan is set to receive $1.6 billion over 18 years from certain opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies — with half of those funds going to local communities and half being administered by the state.

My letter to Hertel states: “This critical funding belongs to the people of Michigan, who rightfully expect these dollars to be spent responsibly for their intended purpose. Disbanding the commission would remove a prudent check and balance between the Legislature and executive administration in ensuring transparency and accountability — protecting these funds against dubious deals made in the dark behind closed doors.”

Public Act 84 of 2022, which I sponsored, created the Opioid Advisory Commission within the Legislative Council to review local, state, and federal initiatives related to education, prevention, treatment, and services for people and families affected by substance use disorders and make funding recommendations to the Legislature.

It was an honor to recently attend the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan’s annual Vandenberg Luncheon, honoring individuals for their work for a strong American foreign policy. This year’s honoree was Ambassador Bridget A. Brink, the current U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and a former East Grand Rapids native, for her incredible work on the global stage. Her leadership and commitment to diplomacy in Ukraine are truly inspiring! I am proud to represent our community and connect with such impactful leaders.

Michigan law requires at least nine days of early voting, beginning two Saturdays before Election Day and ending the Sunday before Election Day. That means ahead of the Nov. 5 election, early voting offered statewide started on Oct. 26 and will end on Nov. 3. The law also allows communities to offer up to 28 days of early voting. Voters can check their early voting location, dates and times for their municipality here.

Residents can verify their registration status online. If there are 15 or more days before an election, you can register to vote online at Michigan.gov/vote. Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day, registration is available at your local clerk’s office in person with proof of residency documentation.

It was great to participate in the recent groundbreaking for an expansion of the Meijer Sports Complex by the West Michigan Sports Commission – marking a ceremonial start of transforming a long-held dream into a reality for our region.

This enhancement was made possible by private donors and support from our state.

This was my top local request in the budget this year. It’s a big deal for Grand Rapids and West Michigan, and the WMSC has done a terrific job advocating for it. Once I understood the impact of this project, it was an easy sell for me. This is a foundational project that teaches kids about sports, teamwork, and community. It’s an investment that will benefit generations.

Many areas across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula are experiencing high deer populations in both urban and suburban areas. This increase can lead to a higher risk of vehicle collisions, damage to crops and gardens and the spread of diseases among deer.

To mitigate these concerns and increase the antlerless deer harvest, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have implemented several regulatory changes, including:

For more information, including regulation changes specific to the Upper Peninsula, visit Michigan.gov/Deer or review the Deer Hunting Regulations Summary.

Fall colors and cooler days are a sure sign that winter is right around the corner. Before the first flakes begin to fall, many head outdoors to prepare their yards for winter hibernation. 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 things to consider as you begin your fall yard cleanup:

Tree-killing insects and diseases cannot move far on their own — but they can hide in or on wood. Moving infected wood can spread invasive pests or diseases like the spotted lanternfly and beech leaf disease. As many as 140 different pests and diseases can be moved with firewood. To prevent the spread, buy or collect firewood where you plan on burning it.

While managing your finances and planning for the future can be overwhelming, developing a solid financial plan can ensure safety and security in the years ahead.

A good first step is to assess your current finances and set retirement goals. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services offers educational resources covering checking and savings accounts, mortgages, insurance, social security, estate planning, and more. Visit their website for detailed guidance.

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 [email protected].

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.