Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter.

Below you’ll find an update on what’s happening in your state Capitol and some additional resources I hope you find helpful.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Michigan Senate. I am grateful each and every day to work for the people of the 34th Senate District.

Sincerely,

Roger Hauck
State Senator
34th Senate District

Hosting office hours is a great way to meet with local residents and hear concerns about state government or to request assistance with a state issue. My next office hour meeting will be held jointly with Reps. Hoadley and Kunse on Monday, April 22 in Harrison.

I will join Reps. Hoadley and Kunse to answer questions and provide information and assistance with state issues, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district.

The office hour event will take place at the following date, time, and location:

Monday, April 22
Noon – 1 p.m.
Harrison City Hall
2105 Sullivan Drive
Harrison

Office hours are open to all residents. No appointment is necessary. If you are unable to make it to the office hour meeting, please feel free to contact my office via email at [email protected] or by calling 517-373-1760.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Each year, National Donate Life Month brings attention to the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation. With more than 100,000 patients in the U.S. waiting for a transplant, it is more important than ever for everyone to register as a donor. One donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight to two people through cornea donation, and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation.

In 2023, Michigan became the first state to allow residents to register as organ donors on their state income tax return. Public Acts 101 and 102 of 2023 allow an individual to become an organ donor by simply checking the box on their state income tax form.

In addition to marking their income tax form, Michigan residents can register as an organ donor online or at their local secretary of state’s office. For more information about organ donation and the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, visit GiftofLifeMichigan.org.

The Michigan Department of Education has announced administrative rule changes within two of its offices. These announcements come with the opportunity for the public to provide comments and feedback:

The Michigan Department of Education is asking Michigan superintendents and school leaders to nominate students for membership on the 2024-25 Student Advisory Council. High school students from traditional public schools and public school academies are eligible for nomination.

The Student Advisory Council was first convened in the summer of 2020. The council serves as a student voice to the state superintendent and other MDE leaders to provide perspective and feedback on new or ongoing MDE initiatives. Meetings take place virtually outside of school hours, with occasional opportunities to gather in person during the day.

Nominations of up to two students per high school can be made online at this link by April 25. Nominated students will receive an emailed invitation to apply. Applications will be reviewed, and council members will be selected. Students selected to serve on the Student Advisory Council will receive additional information by the end of the school year.

Since 1999, more than 1 million people in the U.S. have died from a drug overdose. Since 2021, more than 75% of overdose deaths involved an opioid. In Michigan, the opioid death rate has increased by an average of 13.9% each year from 2000 to 2020.

The state of Michigan, joined with other states, filed lawsuits against companies that manufactured, sold, or distributed prescription painkillers for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. Settlements in many of these lawsuits have been reached with corporations like Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart. Funds from these settlements are to be distributed to the state and local units of government for opioid-use disorder treatment and remediation.

The Michigan Department of Attorney General has launched a new website to help residents and local units of government find multiple sources of information in one place. Information housed on the site includes:

Michigan’s deer population has risen an estimated 15% over the last 10 years. At the same time, the number of firearm season hunters has fallen from about 800,000 in the late 1990s to fewer than 500,000 now. The number of vehicle accidents involving deer increased by 21% between 2012 and 2022.

Earlier this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced plans to create a Deer Management Initiative to evaluate and respond to present-day deer management challenges. As part of the initiative, they are seeking public input to better understand Michigan residents’ opinions and perceptions about deer and deer management.

All residents, regardless of their interest in or knowledge of deer or deer hunting, are encouraged to respond to the survey, which will be open now through April 16.