I will be holding office hours with constituents on Monday, Oct. 12.

I will join residents to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. No appointment is necessary.

The locations will have seating available. Participants are encouraged to wear masks and maintain proper social distancing.

For more information or to contact my office, please visit SenatorKevinDaley.com or call 517-373-1777.

My office hours meetings will take place at the following date, times and locations:

Monday, Oct. 12
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Beaver Township Hall
1850 Garfield Road
Auburn

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuscola Township Hall
8561 Van Cleve Road
Vassar

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
North Branch Township Hall
6771 Elm St.
North Branch

COVID-19 and Gov. Whitmer’s extended shutdown of our economy left the state with a sizable budget deficit. Responsible management of state resources during the past decade, including building a sizable rainy day fund, prepared us for this difficult year.

The fiscal year 2021 budget funds key priorities and balances the deficit all without raising taxes.

Our budget recognizes the challenges students, parents and teachers are facing in this unprecedented school year. Even as we faced a budget shortfall, we have increased funding for K-12 schools.

Schools will receive an increase of $65 per student to help with the challenges of teaching during the pandemic. The budget also includes an additional $66 million for schools with increasing enrollment, $37 million for student mental health support, and $3 million more for early childhood literacy.

This budget also protects those who have protected us during this difficult year. Revenue sharing is maintained to support local police, paramedics and other first-responders, and 50 new Michigan State Police troopers will be trained to keep our communities safe.

Significant investments in programs to help people and job providers get back on their feet after this challenging year were also included in this budget — including $26 million appropriated for the Going Pro program, which provides grants to business, community colleges and other organizations to help train employees. Additionally, Michigan Reconnect, which provides financial assistance for the completion of an associate degree or skills certificate, will receive $30 million, and $1.5 million will go to Graduation Alliance, which helps adults obtain high school diplomas and placement in career training programs.

The governor has gone it alone too often in 2020, but this budget proves what can be done when we work together to solve problems. Both budget bills have been signed by the governor, and Michigan's 2021 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

I had the honor of joining members of the Cathcart family and friends as the sign for the Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart Memorial Highway was unveiled in Bay City.

Last year, I introduced legislation to name a portion of State Highway M-15 in Bay County after Cathcart as a way to preserve his legacy and honor the sacrifices he and his family have made on behalf of this country.

Cathcart was killed in November of 2014 during an operation in Afghanistan. His service awards include four Bronze Star medals, the two Purple Heart medals and four Army Commendation medals.

The Michael Cathcart Memorial Highway will range from Cass Avenue in Portsmouth Charter Township north to the intersection of State Highway M-15 and Ridge Road in Bay City.

I hope this memorial serves as a reminder of Michael’s service and sacrifice and encourages people to keep his memory alive.

I was joined by the mother of Sgt. 1st Class Michael Cathcart, Jeanne Cathcart, and Army veteran Joe Johnson as the sign naming a portion of State Highway M-15 in Bay County after Sgt. Cathcart was unveiled.

There is a lot of concern about election integrity within our system right now. The people of Michigan need to have the confidence that their elections are being conducted honestly, and that they can trust the results — win or lose.

Over the past few months, several bills have been approved by the House and Senate that will help discourage voter fraud, improve trust in our elections, and protect our fundamental right to vote. I was proud to support legislation that will give local clerks the needed flexibility to prepare for the upcoming election, ensure security of ballots, protect election integrity and require the secretary of state to improve access for military voters serving overseas.

Senate Bill 757 will give local clerks in Michigan’s most populous communities flexibility to handle the influx in absentee ballots for the upcoming election. Additionally, absentee voter counting boards will be allowed to operate in shifts to ensure staff is not overworked, will require strict security measures for additional absentee ballot drop boxes, and will require local clerks to contact voters whose signature on an absentee ballot application or return envelope is missing or does not match the signature registered with the state.

SB 117 would require the secretary of state to adopt rules to receive overseas ballots via a secure electronic portal to ensure the ballots cast by our men and women in uniform are received in time.

I introduced Senate Bill 977 to make it a felony for someone to knowingly submit another person’s name or personal identity information on an absent voter ballot application or attempt to obtain multiple ballots. Making voter fraud a felony will help discourage those who wish to tamper with our elections in the first place.

SB 977 passed both the Senate and House of Representatives with bipartisan support. It will now be presented to the governor for her signature.

If you or someone you know is struggling to get answers from the UIA, is locked out of your account, or you think you’ve been wrongfully denied benefits, please visit the link below and fill out the required information at your earliest convenience: Senator Daley Unemployment Assistance Form.

I understand this has been a difficult time for many, and I’m frustrated by the UIA’s slow response time and back-log of cases. Right now, the average wait time for a response from the UIA is 5-8 weeks. My team and I will continue to do our best to help in any way we can during this difficult time.

My office is looking to highlight the beauty of the 31st District during our second annual photo contest. Winning submissions will be displayed in my Lansing office so visitors can see what makes Bay, Tuscola, and Lapeer counties such great places to live and visit.

My second annual photo contest begins Oct. 5 and ends Oct. 30. Residents of Bay, Tuscola or Lapeer counties can submit their photos on the 31st District Photo Contest page on my Senate website at www.SenatorKevinDaley.com.

Winners will be chosen and announced on Nov. 9.

For more details and official contest rules, please visit the following link.

The 2020 hunting season has officially started, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to remind deer hunters of several changes to deer check stations this fall.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hunters will see a reduction in check station and drop-box locations, dates and hours of operation, and the number of deer heads that will be accepted for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing. Additionally, to protect hunters and DNR staff, hunters will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines, and at many check stations, hunters will be required to stay in their vehicles while their deer is checked.

As we continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic, it is important that we do everything we can to follow guidelines to keep our families safe. For more information on the changes for the 2020 hunting season, click here.

As you know, Michigan has implemented a historic, bipartisan auto insurance reform for all policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020. As you look to renew your insurance and consider which changes will be best for you, I wanted to make you aware the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has several resources available to you.

The department’s dedicated auto insurance reform website is www.michigan.gov/autoinsurance. The website includes resources, sample forms, videos and more.

DIFS is also available to answer your specific questions via 833-ASK-DIFS (275-3437) or [email protected].

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.

The 31th state Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.