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

On Jan. 24, I was proud to have Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom at the state Capitol as my guest for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address, as we need to make sure our police officers have the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods safe.

I’m always willing to work with anyone to improve our state, and after a year full of partisan legislation, I’m hopeful that the governor will work across the aisle to achieve bipartisan solutions — such as providing tax relief for everyone and adopting regulatory policies that make our state more attractive for new investment and jobs.

Making higher education more affordable is important, and last year I proposed freezing tuition at community colleges and our 15 public universities — but that idea was rejected. However, we need to focus more on the fundamentals. Despite record K-12 school funding, our students rank in the bottom 10 nationally for high school graduation rates and fourth-grade reading proficiency, and only one-third of Michigan fourth graders are proficient in math. That’s unacceptable.

The governor has proposed spending $25 million of taxpayer dollars on subsidies mostly for electric vehicles that few people can afford. We should be working to lower costs on everything, not just electric vehicles. My focus will be on letting folks keep more of their own money.

Free money and free tuition are just another headline. We must remember that these are your hardworking taxpayer dollars. I will work with anyone who will help protect your taxpayer dollars and provide a bipartisan budget that helps Michigan grow.

Click here or on the image below to see a video of some of my comments on the governor’s address.

I am holding in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from the people about the issues they are facing is an important part of representing everyone in West Michigan. These meetings give local residents a chance to express their viewpoints about what needs to be done and offer help to people dealing with a variety of state issues.

In January, I met with folks in Walker, Ada, Grand Rapids and Cascade Township. In February, I will be available to meet with constituents at the following dates, times and locations:

Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary. Anyone who is unable to attend the office hours may contact my office.

One of the most important parts of being an effective senator is listening to the people you represent about the issues affecting our region and state and discussing possible solutions to the problems facing families in our community.

To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I will be hosting a town hall meeting on Monday, March 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Wisner Center inside the Cascade branch of the Kent District Library, located at 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

If you are unable to attend the town hall, please contact me about 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.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there is a lot we can do to change that. By making a few small changes and doing more to take care of ourselves, we can lower that statistic.

February is American Heart Month. During the month of February, accept the challenge and try making a few small changes for a healthier heart:

Michigan’s annual winter Free Fishing Weekend is Feb. 17-18. All fishing license fees are waived, and vehicles can enter state parks and use boating sites without a Recreation Passport.

Winter Free Fishing weekend is a great time to try ice fishing. With at least 150 species of fish that can be caught through the ice, you don’t have to wait for summer to give fishing a try. Ice fishing can be an affordable, safe, and family-friendly activity to get everyone outdoors.

Residents and out-of-state visitors can enjoy fishing on both inland lakes and the Great Lakes for all species of fish. All fishing regulations still apply. Visit Michigan.gov/freefishing for information on special events and activities.

With temperatures falling and inflation rates rising, many in Michigan may find themselves in need of help. Michigan 211 is part of a national system of organizations that connect residents with services in their local area.

At Michigan 211, highly trained specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can contact one of the seven regional contact centers across the state by dialing 211 from a phone or by texting the zip code where help is needed to 898211. The Michigan 211 website also has a chat feature and search options to allow residents to search for service providers in their area.

Last year, Michigan 211 helped more than 500,000 people connect with more than 40,000 services, including utility assistance, emergency housing or shelter, food, legal services, healthcare, substance abuse, mental health assistance, and more. For more information, visit Michigan 211.

With more than 40 ski areas across the state, you are always within a two-hour drive of the thrills of skiing and snowboarding. Michigan ranks second in the U.S. for the number of places to enjoy this exciting, family-friendly winter sport.

The Cold is Cool Passport allows fourth and fifth graders to ski for free in Michigan when accompanied by a paying adult. It is a great opportunity to get kids out on the slopes and try a new sport. The passport, sponsored by the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association, allows families to receive up to three lift tickets at 29 participating ski hills. Other discounts are also available.

For more information or to register for the passport, visit the Cold is Cool Passport site.

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.