Dear Friends,

Welcome to the most recent edition of my monthly e-newsletter.

Below you’ll find news out of our state capital and the 31st Senate District that I hope you find helpful and interesting.

As always, my staff and I are here for you. My priority is to listen and understand the issues facing the individuals and families across the state. Please continue to share your thoughts with me at [email protected] or at 517-373-1777.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the Michigan Senate. I am grateful each and every day to work for the people of the 31st Senate District.

Sincerely,

Kevin Daley
State Senator
31st District

A new attraction, SkyBridge Michigan, is now open in Northern Michigan! The 1,200-foot open-air bridge is said to be the longest timber-towered suspension bridge in the world.

Located within the Boyne Mountain Resort, the bridge is positioned above the Boyne Valley between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge, providing visitors with glorious panoramic views of Northern Michigan. The center of the five-foot wide walkway includes 36 feet of glass panels allowing pedestrians to view the valley 118 feet below.

The SkyBridge will be open year-round. For more information including hours of operation and ticket pricing, visit BoyneMountain.com/skybridge-michigan.

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.

For full eligibility requirements for the MI Future Educator Stipend, or to apply visit the MI Future Educator Stipend site.

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 Senate Bill 82, now Public Act 87 of 2021. Visit Michigan.gov/caringformifuture for a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and information on the application process.

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.

On Oct. 25, I presented long-time Cass City residents Dick and Elaine Hendrick with a tribute during a monthly village meeting. It was truly a privilege to recognize Dick and Elaine for their years of service and operation of the Cass Theater.

Please join me in wishing them a happy retirement as they begin the next chapter of their lives!

My priority is always serving the people of my district. If you plan to visit Lansing for a conference, meeting, or just for fun, please contact my office in advance so I can make every effort to meet with you while you are in town.

My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.

Michigan Senate website: www.senate.michigan.gov
Michigan House of Representatives website: www.house.michigan.gov
Michigan Legislature website: www.legislature.mi.gov
Michigan Citizen’s Guide: Citizen’s Guide to State Government, 101st Legislature