Last week, I joined my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee in approving the 2024 land development and acquisition project recommendations for the Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF).

For over 40 years, resources from the NRTF have been used to enhance access to public recreation and improve the quality of life for all Michigan families. The fund is supported by interest earnings from the development of state-owned mineral rights, and the fund’s dollars are constitutionally restricted to recreation improvements and land acquisitions.

This unique resource has opened the door for many Michigan families to enjoy fishing, hiking, boating, biking, and other outdoor recreational opportunities.

The 2024 recommendations include nearly $10 million for 35 recreation development projects and $18.5 million for 18 land acquisition projects — two of which are in the 33rd Senate District.

The city of Cedar Springs is scheduled to receive $300,000 for the Heart of Cedar Springs Playground development. The 2024 spending also included $1.2 million for the state to acquire the Rogue River State Game Area. The goal of state acquisitions is to enhance forest management, outdoor recreation in the area and environmental protections.

I look forward to seeing these, and the many other projects across the state, come to fruition.

I joined Michigan Works! staff and other elected officials in Lansing to congratulate the agency’s annual award winners, including 2024 Impact Award recipient Brandon Nowak from Newaygo County.

The Impact Awards recognize dedication to talent growth and development, and Brandon took that mission statement and made it his own.

I’d like to congratulate Brandon and other honorees on taking the next step to expand their education and turn that knowledge into life-long careers.

Congratulations and keep up the great work!

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 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 rules changes within two of its offices. Theses announcements come with the opportunity for the public to provide comments and feedback:

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 and 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 33rd Senate District now includes Montcalm and Newaygo counties, along with parts of Ionia, Lake, Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the 33rd Senate District of Michigan. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 33rd District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.