|
|
The U.P. State Fair made its triumphant return this month, with Escanaba playing host to residents and visitors alike across seven days of family fun.
In addition to fair food, rides, music and other forms of entertainment, I am especially fond of the agricultural component. As I recently told Mark and Walt in the Morning on Sunny FM, the fair is an annual opportunity to showcase the agricultural and farming side of the U.P. to the rest of the state.
In fact, my family had the opportunity to set up operations at the fair this year. It was great visiting with all who stopped by to visit and learn about how a modern dairy farm works.
If you missed my interview, you can check it out here: https://sunny.fm/featured/the-sunny-morning-show/1279946/senator-ed-mcbroom-discusses-u-p-state-fair-week-happening-in-escanaba/.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Record K-12 school funding approved ahead of school year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Michigan Senate voted to pass a fiscal year 2022 K-12 budget plan, including a record $17 billion in funding for Michigan schools.
House Bill 4411, now Public Act 48 of 2021, includes a $683 million boost to bring every Michigan school district’s foundation allowance up to at least $8,700 per student.
It invests a total of $17 billion in K-12 education, including $362 million for equalization payments, $7.5 million for career and technical education equipment, $10 million in school safety grants, and $240 million to help schools hire mental health professionals to help students dealing with anxiety and depression.
It also features a nearly $169 million increase to improve access to preschool, reduce class sizes and hire highly qualified teachers.
Other highlights in the budget include $140 million for the school employees’ retirement system and $75 million for building upgrades at schools with year-round schedules.
This historic funding aims to give our students and families the resources that they need to be successful during this upcoming school year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan education data available to parents, teachers and Michigan residents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Data regarding education in Michigan is publicly available at the website www.MISchoolData.org. This website serves as the state of Michigan’s official public portal for education data, from preschool through post-secondary education and into the workforce. It is designed to help residents, educators and policymakers make data-driven decisions.
The site offers a great deal of information, including statewide testing information and results, college and career readiness programs, per-pupil funding trends and more. The data is presented in various easy-to-read graphs, charts, trend lines and spreadsheets to help parents and students stay informed, as well as make evaluations and comparisons before making important educational decisions.
Parents can also sign into their child’s school’s dashboard and get specific information about their child’s school like teacher-to-student ratios, performance ratings and more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leftover turkey licenses on sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fall turkey hunting is an important part of managing the wild turkey population. During the fall turkey season, hunters are encouraged to harvest female turkeys and are able to harvest more than one bird.
While the application deadline for licenses ended on Aug. 1, leftover turkey licenses will go on sale to everyone on Monday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. Licenses can be purchased over the counter where DNR licenses are sold or through the DNR eLicense store.
Licenses are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is not guaranteed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boaters asked to help slow the spread of invasive plant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European frog-bit, an invasive aquatic plant, has been confirmed in several locations across the state.
European frog-bit was first detected in Southeast Michigan in 1996 and has since spread along the coastal areas of Lake Erie and Lake Huron up to the eastern Upper Peninsula.
In 2016, the plant, which resembles a miniature water lily with leaves about the size of a quarter, was discovered in Reeds and Fisk lakes in East Grand Rapids. More recently, it was discovered in the Lower Grand River (Ottawa County) and Pentwater Lake (Oceana County) in 2019 and Dansville State Game Area (Ingham County), Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson and Washtenaw counties) and the Les Cheneaux Islands (Mackinac County) in 2020.
Residents who believe they have seen European frog-bit outside of these known locations are asked to email [email protected] and provide the location and a photograph.
Boaters, anglers, and waterfowl hunters are being asked to Clean, Drain and Dry any boats, trailers and other gear prior to use in another body of water to help prevent the spread of European frog-bit and other aquatic invasive species.
|
|
|
|
|
|
▪ |
Clean: Inspect boats, trailers, docks and gear and remove all mud, debris and plant material. Use a hose or power washer when available. Dispose of unwanted material in a trash can. |
▪ |
Drain: Remove water from live wells, bait buckets, bilges and other compartments before leaving an access site. |
▪ |
Dry: Allow boats and gear to dry for at least five days, if possible, before use in other bodies of water. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan's 38th Senate District
|
The 38th State Senate District includes the counties of Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the state Senate. 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 38th District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senator Ed McBroom 7200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536 |
|
|
|
|
|
|