Dear Friends,

To better serve you, I am offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in our community and across our state.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may call toll-free at 1-855-347-8028 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

Hunting has been a tradition for many Michigan families for generations. Our state offers vast opportunities for hunters, who play an important role in wildlife conservation and management while contributing roughly $11 billion to the state’s economy and supporting 171,000 of Michigan jobs.

Last year, nearly 540,000 deer hunters harvested almost 400,000 deer. With deer firearm season opening soon, I wanted to pass along some useful information. Hunting digests, including the 2022 edition of the Michigan Hunting Digest from the Department of Natural Resources, feature all current state rules and regulations. It is one of several digests available online and that can be downloaded to a smartphone or other personal device for use in the field.

Also, remember that this year is the start of the new deer harvest reporting regulations. A deer harvest must be reported online within 72 hours at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport. Hunters who are unable to do so can have a family member help or call 517-284-9453 for assistance. There are also several locations around the state where hunters can go for in-person assistance from the DNR. A list of these locations can be found here.

I urge all hunters to keep safety in mind. Most hunting-associated injuries and casualties are preventable. Please follow gun safety rules like wearing “hunter’s orange” and never mixing hunting with drinking alcohol. Good luck!

The 2023 School Aid budget, Public Act 144 of 2022, includes funding for the continuation of a science of reading professional learning initiative that began in 2021.

The Michigan LETRS Science of Reading Professional Learning Course provides sustained and job-embedded professional learning about the science of reading, at no cost to educators. The training develops an expertise in language and literacy and provides instruction in the science of reading.

Any Michigan pre-K to sixth grade teacher currently teaching in any Michigan public school or public charter school is encouraged to apply. The Michigan Department of Education and Lexia Learning will host an informational webinar for educators on Nov. 10, from 4 to 5 p.m.

For more information on LETRS and to register for Cohort 4, please visit the Michigan LETRS website.

As a father of a son currently serving in the Marines, I know about the enormous sacrifices made by our service members and their families. Veterans Day is Friday. It is a time to thank the courageous men and women who have served our country so that we may remain the land of the free.

The holiday was first known and celebrated as Armistice Day, recognized on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the end of World War I. The Great War was supposed to be a war to end all wars. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Thankfully, America’s finest have always answered the call to stand up for liberty. God bless our veterans.

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.

I already held one district office hour on Nov. 4 at New Beginnings in Grand Rapids. The next two office hours will be:

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

The application for the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund is now open. Eligible applicants include licensed child care providers located in Michigan who are newly licensed providers or existing providers expanding their licensed capacity.

Those who are interested in starting or expanding a child care facility can apply for a grant to reduce the cost of converting space that meets child care facility guidelines. The $50 million to open and grow new child care facilities as part of the state’s Caring for MI Future initiative grants will range in size from $50,000 for home-based child care and $150,000 for center-based programs and will help providers complete minor renovations and improvements to meet licensing and quality standards.

The Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund will help child care facilities address issues related to heating and cooling, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishings, and outdoor play areas.

The grants were made possible through funding provided in Public Act 87 of 2021. Visit Michigan.gov/caringformifuture for a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and information on the application process.

Public Act 144 of 2022 includes $305 million to support the Future Educators Fellowship program. This scholarship funding will help students in public and private teacher preparation programs working to earn teaching certificates.

The MI Future Educator Fellowship offers scholarships to aspiring teachers to eliminate or lower the cost of tuition while they train to be educators. Awards cover the cost of tuition and fees up to $10,000 and are renewable for up to three years. Students that receive the award commit to teaching in a Michigan classroom for at least three years after graduation.

Scholarship funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are now being accepted. For more information, full eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the MI Future Educator Fellowship site.

The MI Future Educator Stipend provides stipends for full-time student teachers to help pay for tuition and other costs while student teaching. Starting in fall 2022, student teachers can earn $9,600 while they complete their final semester(s) of teacher preparation. Click here to apply or to see the full eligibility requirements for the MI Future Educator Stipend.

November is National Adoption Month. Each November child welfare organizations across the country use this opportunity to celebrate and raises awareness of adoption. With approximately 14,000 Michigan children in foster care, and more than 3,000 children waiting for permanent homes, now is a wonderful time to explore adoption. Visit the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange for more information.

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 1-855-347-8028 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.