We are now one month into the new Legislature and I want to remind everyone that my office is open and my staff and I are ready to serve you!

The Michigan Senate recently adopted Senate Resolution 5 honoring the Blue Star Mothers of America and the work they do for our nation’s veterans.

Blue Star Mothers are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have or have had a family member serving in the military.

The Blue Star Mothers of America do tremendous work both honoring and caring for the men and women who served this nation. They honor those who gave their lives, visit injured service members in the hospital, and help care for and provide support to families who have lost a loved one. The work they do has countless untold benefits and I don’t believe the good in their hearts can ever be quantified.

My resolution commemorates Feb. 1, 2023, as Blue Star Mother’s Day in the state of Michigan.

You can view my floor speech on my website or by clicking here.

In 2015, legislative Republicans passed legislation, which was then signed into law by then-Gov. Rick Snyder, that included an automatic rate reduction for the state’s income tax should state revenues reach and stay at a certain point.

This was meant to be automatic. Nothing further needed to be done. As of January of this year, state revenues were projected to put the state’s finances in a place that would trigger this automatic income tax rate reduction and lower the rate from 4.25% to 4.05% and would leave us with a massive surplus to continue working on other forms of tax relief.

After months of promises from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic leadership, they’ve instead changed their minds and are actively trying to stop that reduction from taking effect by bundling agenda-driven bills together and retroactively spending to ensure the rate reduction doesn’t happen.

I voted last term for tax relief for residents and seniors and the governor vetoed that legislation. I voted for amendments this term that would include all seniors and all Michiganders in plans for relief instead of recipients hand-selected by the governor. The Democratic majority in the Senate voted those down as well.

At a time when the state is sitting on a $9 billion surplus, we should be doing more than handing out a one-time rebate check that equals 49 cents per day. We could be doing some real good for people. Unfortunately, instead of wise, long-term relief for everyone, the governor this month has already proposed blowing through all but $250 million of this money.

I would prefer to see the state keep their hands out of people’s pockets in the first place instead of taking their money and offering a one-time rebate check. I will continue fighting against Democratic efforts to stall the income tax reduction as well as equitable efforts that help everyone who sent their money to Lansing, not just some.

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is now available to all students who graduate from a Michigan high school with a diploma or certificate or have achieved a high school equivalency certificate.

In 2022, the Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 842, allocating funding from the fiscal year 2023 budget to a new scholarship program, helping students cover the cost of attending a college, university or qualified occupational training programs and trade schools.

Starting with the class of 2023, high school graduates will be eligible for financial aid, up to:

To apply, For more information, students can register for one of several informational webinars.

This year, Michigan will be hosting a free snowmobiling weekend.

The free weekend is set for this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11-12. It is the result of Public Acts 55 and 56, which were passed by the Legislature in 2022. During these two days, snowmobilers can operate their machines without the need for a snowmobile registration or trail permit.

For more information on snowmobiling in Michigan, including trail maps, visit Michigan.gov/snowmobiling.

I recently received the “Go to Bat” award from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan.

It’s an honor to be recognized by the organization and to work to improve mental health and the available resources across Michigan.

I appreciate the partnership from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan as we work together to improve the quality and quantity of community-based mental health services for those who need them!

Michigan’s annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend is this month. On Feb. 18-19, all fishing license fees will be waived, but all fishing regulations still apply.

Residents and out-of-state visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland lakes and the Great Lakes for all species of fish.

Visit Michigan.gov/freefishing for information on special events and activities. A state Recreation Passport will not be required at any state park or recreation area during the free fishing weekend.

Remember that ice fishing can be dangerous if people do not follow safety procedures or head out on the ice unprepared. Click here for information on ice fishing.

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.