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 am active on social media to help keep you updated. You can check out my Facebook page, my  official account on X or my Instagram for recent updates.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.  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

In this week’s episode of Conversations with Mark, I’m joined by Josh Lunger, vice president of advocacy at the Grand Rapids Chamber, to discuss housing affordability and what it means for West Michigan families.

Click here or on the image below to watch the podcast. The episode is now available on all major platforms, and new episodes drop every other Thursday at noon.

I hold in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from 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 receive help with a variety of state issues.

I will be available to meet on a one-on-one basis 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.

March is Reading Month was a huge success, and I enjoyed visiting schools and sharing my love of reading with students across the district.

I want to thank all the schools that welcomed me into their classrooms to share my love of reading. After visiting eight schools, 26 classrooms and reading to 680 students, it was inspiring to see both kids and adults excited about opening their imaginations and diving into a book.

This year’s reading contest brought in submissions from all across the 30th District, and I want to share how proud I am of all the students who participated.

Congratulations to Kira Glon and Mia Ford for being named two of our March is Reading Month Contest winners.

All month long, Kira and Mia dove into new stories, expanded their imaginations and explored the many adventures that books have to offer.

Congratulations again to Kira and Mia! My team and I are excited to welcome them both, along with their families, to Lansing later this year.

I recently had the honor of visiting the Grand Rapids Veterans Home and even got a chance to call a bingo game.

I’d like to thank everyone who helped make the visit possible. It was a wonderful afternoon and a true honor to spend time with the men and women who served our nation.

As the warm weather moves in, Berlin Raceway in Marne is beginning its season.

I encourage families to head out and enjoy an exciting afternoon of racing right here in our backyard.

Click here or on the image below for dates and take the first step in planning a day for your family!

The White Pine Trail is a 92-mile trail that connects Comstock Park to Cadillac.

The Rogue River in Rockford, located along the White Pine Trail, was used in the 19th and 20th centuries to transport logs to nearby lumber mills. To help convey the area’s history, a recent grant was used to create a multisensory display that includes two full-size log recreations with authentic log marks stamped on the ends. The display will be installed beside the river and provide an immersive element for visitors.

A QR code will accompany the display and lead visitors to digital information about the state’s lumber industry, the history of log marks and the role they played during Michigan’s lumbering era.

Funding came from the first round of the America250MI History Grant Program, which was funded by the Michigan Legislature in 2024.

Summer is here, and that means orange barrels will be lining roadways across the state.

While it can be frustrating, these are long-term improvements that will make driving better and safer for businesses and residents and improve our communities.

April brought unprecedented rainfall and severe storms to communities across Michigan. Rapid snowmelt combined with steady rain led to flooding, damaged roads and failing dams.

As some waters recede and cleanup continues, please follow guidance from state and local officials and keep these tips in mind:

The Michigan State Police MIREADY program offers resources and educational materials to help residents prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters.

The Michigan state park reservation website has added a new flexible dates feature to make trip planning even easier.

When booking camping or overnight lodging, the dates menu now includes more search options, including number of nights, travel month and preferred state park. You can also use the Department of Natural Resources recreation search tool to find amenities or specific activities for your trip.

State campsites, lodging and harbor slips can be reserved up to six months in advance.

A small but destructive plant known as lesser celandine, or fig buttercup, is spreading across forests and riverbanks in lower Michigan.

Lesser celandine has shiny, dark green, heart-shaped leaves and small, bright yellow flowers. It thrives in moist, lowland environments but can also spread into lawns. It emerges in dense patches from March through April, crowding out native plants.

If you believe you’ve spotted lesser celandine, report it through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network or contact Julie Crick, Michigan State University Extension natural resource educator, at 989-275-7179.

After a long winter and recent storms, many residents are beginning spring yard cleanup. Always check with local authorities for burn permit requirements and fire conditions before burning.

The DNR burn permit webpage has been updated for easier use on mobile devices. The page now uses a dropdown menu. Click the “Can I burn today?” button, then scroll to your county. After selecting your county, you will see a list of townships and any restrictions or guidance in effect for that day.

Please keep these safety tips in mind when burning yard waste:

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 SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.

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.