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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome to the latest edition of my e-newsletter.
Below you’ll find an update on what’s happening in your state Capitol and some additional resources I hope you find helpful.
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 34th Senate District.
Sincerely,
Roger Hauck
State Senator
34th Senate District
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Gov. Whitmer’s short-sighted budget plan
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2025 budget proposal is short-sighted and reckless and is further proof that she is out of touch with the reality of the lives of Michigan residents.
The Michigan Constitution requires that each new budget cycle begin with a proposal from the governor to the Legislature with his or her spending plan for the next fiscal year. The plan Gov. Whitmer recently presented to the Legislature relies upon Democrats’ $700 million income tax increase, redirects $670 million from the state’s teacher retirement plan to pay for more government spending and includes no real plan for long-term infrastructure investments.
At the beginning of 2023, Michigan had a record $9 billion surplus. One year later, the surplus is gone. Michigan families deserve a government that effectively spends their tax dollars on roads, students and public safety. They should not be forced to pay billions in government corporate handouts as they struggle to deal with higher grocery bills and energy prices.
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Despite record funding for schools, Michigan students continue to fall behind their peers in other states. Rather than acknowledge that our students are struggling, Lansing Democrats have spent the last year lowering the standards for both students and teachers.
Senate Republicans have a plan to improve childhood learning and support teachers in the state’s K-12 schools. The MI Brighter Future plan includes measures to help students gain access to additional resources and learning opportunities, require proven training methods for educators, give parents more control over their child’s progress, reinstate accountability in teacher evaluations, and provide for performance-based bonuses.
The four pillars of the MI Brighter Future plan are:
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1. Set the bar high. Strengthen key provisions of the third-grade reading law, require student progress to be part of every teacher’s evaluation process once again, and restore the A-F grading scale for parents to easily understand how schools are performing.
2. The best teachers where they’re needed most. Provide bonuses to highly effective teachers who take positions in schools where they can have the biggest impact.
3. Give every kid a chance. No student should ever be left behind because of their means or ZIP code. Scholarship opportunities will help families afford additional educational assistance and help cover the costs of summer or after-school reading programs.
4. Back to the basics. Reading is the foundation of a successful education. But too many schools have gone away from teaching the basics and reading scores have plummeted. Our plan will ensure teachers are trained in proven phonics-based reading methods that have worked for decades.
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Michigan’s presidential primary
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Public Act 2 of 2023 moved the presidential primary date to Feb. 27, 2024.
The approval of Proposal 2 by voters in 2022 will bring big changes for this and all upcoming elections. Voters now have three ways to exercise their right to vote:
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• By requesting and returning an absentee ballot: All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot delivered to their home. Voters can also request an absentee ballot directly from their local clerk’s office. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days prior to every election. Michigan voters can now join the permanent absentee ballot list by checking a box on the application to receive an absentee ballot for every election.
• In-person early voting: For the first time, Michigan voters can vote in-person early. The early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total. Early voting site locations, dates, and hours are available 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.
• In-person at a designated polling location on Election Day: All registered voters in Michigan can vote at their polling place on Election Day. You can find your polling location by clicking here.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning
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Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced when wood, fuels, propane, or charcoal are burned. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood and can lead to serious tissue damage or even death.
The best way to keep your home safe is to install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in your home and follow these steps to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in your home:
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• Clear away snow from the exhaust systems in your home.
• Clean your gas dryer regularly.
• Have your water heater inspected annually.
• Keep your chimney clear for proper ventilation.
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Summer park jobs available
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Managers for Michigan’s state parks, boating facilities, and outdoor spaces are looking to fill 1,300 summer jobs. Roles include greeting visitors, answering questions, registering campers, cleaning park buildings, mowing grass, maintaining trails, and more.
These short-term summer positions are perfect for anyone interested in starting a career in natural resources. In fact, many DNR employees started their careers as summer park workers and have since transitioned to fulfilling roles as rangers, park supervisors, accountant assistants, and trail coordinators. Summer positions are also perfect for those looking to stay busy in retirement or anyone who wants to spend the summer outdoors.
The first step is to express interest, and share your contact information and your preferred work location. The hourly rate starts at $15, and schedules are flexible.
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Senator Roger Hauck
3300 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Visit my website at: SenatorRogerHauck.com
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