Dear Friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. As always, I hope you find the news and information below helpful. Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you feel may be interested.

My staff and I are available should you have any thoughts or concerns about state government. Please feel free to contact my office at [email protected] or at 517-373-1777.

Sincerely,

Kevin Daley
State Senator
31st District

It is nearly impossible to put emotions into words following the horrific events that took place at Michigan State University on Feb. 13. My heart breaks for the students and families who are suffering because of this act of violence. My prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, the students who are still receiving critical medical care, and the entire MSU community as it grieves because of this senseless evil.

I commend law enforcement officials for their immediate and overwhelming response to the scene, their determined focus on securing the area and protecting students from further danger, and their continued communication and transparency with the community as events unfolded during the evening. We will never know how many lives they saved that night.

Last session, the Legislature passed a major tax-cut plan with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, this plan was vetoed by the governor. There remains an unprecedented surplus in the state budget that belongs to Michigan’s hard-working taxpayers. Rising costs in every area of our economy means Michigan families need relief now.

The state’s most recent economic forecast is expected to trigger a permanent reduction in the individual income tax rate — thanks to responsible budget management by Republican leadership. Democrats are now trying to avert this much needed tax relief.

While some limited tax reforms have recently been pushed through by Democrats, these would only reduce taxes for a select few and would leave many Michiganders without the relief they deserve. Members from both sides of the aisle should come together to provide immediate relief to every Michigan taxpayer, by returning taxpayer dollars to all the families, seniors, and individuals who worked hard for their income. Michiganders know how to spend their hard-earned money far more effectively than the government.

I recently spoke on the Senate floor about the governor’s tax plan. A video can be found here.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has opened the grant cycle for the County Fairs Improvement Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023. This program will assist in the promotion of building improvements or other capital improvements on county fairgrounds within the state.

Capital improvements are costs related to making changes to improve capital assets, increase their useful life, or add to the value of these assets. Capital improvements may be structural improvements or other renovations to a building to enhance usefulness or productivity.

For more information and to apply, visit www.michigan.gov/mdard/business-development/grantfund/county-fairs-capital-improvement-grants.

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:

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

The Great Lakes Bay Manufacturing Association (GLMBA) recently announced a newly established scholarship, The Ken Horn Manufacturing Scholarship, honoring former State Sen. Horn. Applications are open to all GLBMA family members with high school seniors. This scholarship is available to those pursuing a degree or certificate in advanced manufacturing or skilled trades and will be attending a trade school, college, or university. If attending Delta College, I encourage you to apply to the GLBMA Delta College scholarship. The application period runs from Feb. 1 to March 15, with awards being announced in April. For more information, please visit https://glbma.org/ken-horn-scholarship.

The Michigan Legislature adopted a resolution recognizing the week of Jan. 29 through Feb. 4 as Catholic Schools Week in Michigan.

Senate Resolution 3 recognizes the excellent work Michigan’s Catholic school administrators and teachers perform every day. The resolution commends Catholic schools for instilling students with a broad, values-based education, emphasizing the lifelong development of moral, intellectual, and social values. Catholic schools also educate many students who are non-Catholic and many who are economically disadvantaged.

The resolution also highlights the dedication of Catholic schools across Michigan toward academic excellence and the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for students across the state.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has unveiled a brand new Master Angler Program map. The user-friendly, interactive tool displays information on all state-record and Master Angler catches — showing you where thousands of other anglers have had success.

The map offers clear instructions for navigation, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

For more than 30 years the Master Angler Program has helped promote statewide fishing opportunities and provides anglers with valuable information on where and when big fish have been caught in Michigan waters. It also gives details on the successful fishing methods, baits and lures used to catch them.

I will be holding office hours across the district on Friday, February 24.

I will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. Please come for an opportunity to discuss issues important to you!

No appointment is necessary, feel free to drop in!

For more information, visit my website, SenatorKevinDaley.com or call my office at 517-373-1777.

The office hours meetings will take place at the following times and locations:

Friday, Feb. 24
9 —10 a.m.
Tony’s I-75 Restaurant
8781 Main St.
Birch Run

11 a.m. — noon
MD’s Sports Tavern and Grill
3040 N. State Road
Davison

1 — 2 p.m.
Deerfield Inn Restaurant
5836 N. Lapeer Road
North Branch

On Jan. 9, Rep. Matthew Bierlein and I presented Arbela Township Clerk Mary Warren with a tribute commemorating her 46 years of service as clerk to the township. Her last board meeting was filled with friends and co-workers from her years of service to the community. Thank you for your service to the residents of Arbela Township and Tuscola County! Pictured from the left: State Rep. Matthew Bierlein, Mary Warren, State Sen. Kevin Daley.

On Jan. 21, newly elected State Rep. Greg Alexander and I presented Assistant Fire Chief Rod Friday Sr. with a tribute to recognize his 57 years of service to the Burlington Township Fire Department. Congratulations, Rod! We wish you nothing but happiness in retirement. Pictured from the left: State Sen. Kevin Daley, Rod’s wife, Rod Friday Sr., State Rep. Greg Alexander.

On Feb. 4, I was joined by State Rep. Jaime Greene as we presented several tributes recognizing the Imlay City Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Teresa Richey, Merit Award winner Jaason Bishop, and Organization of the Year Officer Kevin Homer Memorial Scholarship Foundation. It’s a true honor to be able to recognize people who continually go above and beyond to make our communities a great place to work, live, and visit!

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