Dear Friends,

To better serve the great people of West Michigan, I’m offering this e-newsletter on what’s happening in the 30th Senate District and across our state.

I am active on social media to help keep you updated. You can check out my Facebook page, my  official account on X or my Instagram for recent updates.

I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You can call toll-free at 855-347-8030 or email SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.  Let me know if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.

Working for you,

Mark Huizenga
State Senator

As many families know, Michigan has not yet finalized a state budget for the upcoming year.

Since the budget process began earlier this year, I have worked with my Democrat and Republican colleagues in both the Senate and the House to finalize a responsible and bipartisan budget before the Oct. 1 deadline.

My priorities remain clear: ensuring our kids have the best education possible, providing resources to organizations focused on mental health, fixing our roads, keeping our communities safe, and using your tax dollars wisely.

This is about solving problems for West Michigan families — and I will keep working toward a budget that does just that.

Thank you to the city of Walker for inviting me to join the “Made in Walker” podcast.

It was a great opportunity to discuss key infrastructure projects around the city, including the Fruit Ridge bridge, the tunnel under Lake Michigan Drive and other proposed and ongoing projects.

To watch the full interview, click here!

It was an honor to attend and speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Kent District Library - Krause Memorial/Rockford Branch.

This milestone follows years of hard work and strong collaboration between all levels of government and the community. As a state legislator, I am proud to have secured $1 million in state funding for this project.

In just over a year, the expanded location will be more accessible to residents of all ages — providing a welcoming space to come together, connect, and explore the world of reading.

Click here or on the image below to read more.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is again being considered on the list of the country’s top 10 small airports — marking the airport’s third year in a row in the running.

The airport has made significant improvements in recent years, with more on the way. I had a chance earlier this summer to tour the airport and get a behind-the-scenes look at the current developments. It was exciting to see all of the great work being done to improve the experience for passengers and to strengthen West Michigan’s place as a national travel hub.

Voters who wish to support the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in this year’s contest may do so by clicking here. You can vote once per day. Voting is open until Oct. 6.

I recently had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Grand Rapids Fire Department Training Center.

The 97,875-square-foot facility will include classrooms, maintenance areas, a new emergency operations center, and a five-story burn building for realistic training.

I am proud to have supported $15 million in state funding for this project.

Click here or on the image below to learn more about the project.

To those of us in West Michigan, the Whitecaps and their home in Comstock Park are well known.

However, those who don’t follow baseball closely are missing a historic winning season by the minor league Detroit Tigers affiliate. These young men are on their way to closing their regular season with at least 90 wins — a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in decades.

I want to congratulate the Whitecaps on their record season and wish them the best of luck going into their last few regular-season games.

You can read more about the Whitecaps’ success in this recent Wall Street Journal article.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking feedback on its State Wildlife Action Plan, the state’s strategy to protect rare and declining species and their habitats.

The plan was developed with stakeholders from across the state to identify which species and habitats need support and actions to best monitor, restore and protect them.

The draft plan is divided into chapters such as cold-water streams, big rivers, mines and caves, and islands. Each chapter includes a poll for participants to provide input. The deadline for submitting feedback is Sept. 12.

It is never too early to plan for your student’s life after high school. Whether they choose to attend college or pursue a professional certification, Michigan offers different programs to help families prepare for education costs.

More information, including a college savings calculator, is available at MIsaves.com.

The DNR has confirmed the first cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease of 2025 in deer from Eaton, Jackson, Van Buren and Washtenaw counties.

EHD is a viral, sometimes fatal disease that can affect white-tailed deer. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected midge or biting fly. Deer cannot transmit the disease directly to another deer; it is only passed through an insect.

There is no evidence that humans, household pets or other Michigan wildlife can contract the EHD virus. Venison from healthy deer harvested from areas where EHD has been present is still safe to eat.

A deer that is infected with EHD may appear lethargic, disoriented, lame or unresponsive, or may show bloody discharge from the nose and mouth, a swollen or blue-tinged tongue, and swelling of the eyelids and around the neck or head. EHD can only be confirmed through testing by a qualified laboratory.

If you suspect you have found a deer that has contracted or died from EHD, please submit a Diseased Wildlife report through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field online system.

As samples are submitted from additional counties, any further detections will be posted on the DNR’s EHD webpage.

The Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2025 funding cycle. This program is a joint effort by the Departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development to prevent, detect and control invasive species across the state.

Grants are available to local, state, federal or tribal units of government, along with nonprofits and universities. Since 2014, the program has awarded over $40 million to 301 projects, helping manage invasive species such as the hemlock woolly adelgid and European frog-bit. In total, more than 678,000 acres of land and water have been surveyed, and approximately 56,000 acres have been treated for invasive species. An estimated $3.6 million will be available for the 2025 grant cycle.

Highlights of the 2024 invasive species program are available in the Michigan Invasive Species Program Annual Report.

The 2025 grant program handbook outlines program priorities and application guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to participate in a webinar at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to learn about program priorities and the application process.

I hold in-person office hours throughout the district on a regular basis because hearing directly from people about the issues they are facing is an important part of representing everyone in West Michigan. These meetings give local residents a chance to express their viewpoints about what needs to be done and receive help with a variety of state issues.

On Monday, Sept. 22, I will be available to meet on a one-on-one basis with constituents at the following times and locations:

Office hours are open to all residents, and no appointment is necessary. Anyone who is unable to attend the office hours may contact my office.

Serving the people of West Michigan is very important to me and I encourage you to contact me with any state issues. You may contact me by calling toll-free 1-855-347-8030 or emailing SenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov.

I look forward to serving you, and I encourage you to contact me if I can assist you in any way or if you have an idea to help move our state forward.