Dear West Michigan,

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and provide updates about what is going on in Lansing.

My team has been hard at work trying to ensure your voice is heard at our state Capitol. I hope this newsletter provides some insight into the work I have been doing, along with other important updates on state government.

Please feel free to contact me with any issues regarding your state government. You may call toll-free at 855-347-8031 or email SenRVictory@senate.michigan.gov. For more updates, check out my Facebook page or follow me on X. Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our great state forward.

Working for you,

Earlier in July, I sent a letter to the auditor general requesting a review of Michigan’s Medicaid spending.

Specifically, asking them to examine:

We must ensure that every dollar in Medicaid benefits those whom the program is intended to serve. This review is a critical first step to help preserve the integrity of Medicaid. This issue affects every Michigan taxpayer, with Medicaid accounting for roughly one-third of all state spending. Moreover, it is particularly important for the more than 2.5 million who are entitled to benefits to have access to the essential, covered care that the program is designed to offer.

This Fourth of July, I was able to celebrate at the Graafschap Annual Pancake Breakfast. This 70-year tradition supports local and regional charities. This year, the pancake breakfast raised money for the Graafschap Firefighters.

Earlier this month, I joined Rep. Nancy DeBoer in recognizing Spencer Slenk as Holland Police Officer of the Year and Angela Lound as Firefighter of the Year! It was a privilege to honor these two individuals and all that they do for our communities.

Despite record investment in education, Michigan students continue to fall behind. Test scores are dropping, and three out of four students aren’t reading at grade level. Michigan ranks among the bottom 10 states for educational outcomes.

The current approach isn’t working. We must raise the bar for students and teachers, and get back to the basics — reading, writing and math. Local school districts should be empowered to make decisions, not bureaucrats in Lansing.

That starts with passing a budget that provides funding and control to local schools. We should trust those closest to students, parents and teachers, to know what’s best for their communities.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, must complete an approved hunter education course to buy a hunting license in Michigan.

Hunter safety education classes are typically offered in the spring or fall, ahead of turkey and deer seasons. This summer, the Department of Natural Resources has added more than 40 additional classes during Hunter Safety Education Week, which takes place Aug. 11-17.

There are four options to complete hunter safety education in Michigan, all of which require at least four hours of in-person instruction:

For more information or to register, visit Michigan.gov/HunterEducation.

Those interested in volunteering as instructors can also find details on the DNR website.

Asian longhorned ticks have been identified in Michigan for the first time. They are light brown and can easily be mistaken for other species. An adult female tick can grow to the size of a pea when full of blood. Other stages of the tick are much smaller and may be only the size of a sesame seed or less.

Asian longhorned ticks were first identified in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, they have spread to 21 states, including Indiana and Ohio. Ticks may be moved by animals, people or equipment.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development offers this video to help protect you and your pets. MDARD also recommends:

More information is available on Michigan’s Emerging Diseases website.

With 103 state parks and recreation areas, Michigan offers endless opportunities for summer fun. Enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and boating — plus nature programs at over 30 state park and recreation areas.

Last year, nearly 120,000 guests took part in these free, hands-on nature programs. Explorer guides lead hikes, give talks and spotlight each park's unique resources.

Learn more and find weekly program schedules at Michigan.gov/NaturePrograms. 

Recreation Passports can be purchased through the secretary of state or at park entrances.

Wild turkey numbers in Michigan have rebounded from near extinction in the early 20th century and can now be found in every county across the state.

The DNR is encouraging residents to participate in the wild turkey brood survey to help assess the state’s current turkey population. Participants are asked to report sightings of wild turkeys, including the number of hens (adult females), poults (juvenile turkeys) and gobblers or jakes (adult or young males), along with the date and location.

The brief, seven-question survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is open through Aug. 31.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program relies on reports from the public to stop the spread of invasive species.

Early detection is key to protecting our waterways. Eighteen aquatic invasive species are on Michigan’s Watch List, including 10 aquatic plants, five fish, two crayfish and the New Zealand mud snail.

Report sightings at misin.msu.edu or by using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network mobile app.

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 31st District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.