After a historic 29-hour session, the Michigan Senate’s legislative term is ending just as it began — with the Democrat majority pushing through their out-of-touch agenda while ignoring the real needs of working families across the state.

Over the past two years, it has been frustrating to watch the Senate majority pushing policies to make headlines instead of addressing critical issues like a permanent road funding solution or a plan to protect thousands of jobs in the hospitality industry at risk, especially for tipped workers. Their refusal to work with Republicans on real solutions has put these jobs in jeopardy.

During the chaotic and marathon lengthened lame duck session, my colleagues and I used every tool at our disposal to block dangerous, lame duck priorities, including measures to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, create new taxes on gas, water and sports tickets, and release violent criminals from prison early.

In 2025, we will begin a new legislative term with a new split government, with the House under a Republican majority and the Senate under a Democratic majority. I look forward to working with the new House majority and focusing on the issues that matter to the hardworking taxpayers of Michigan.

Earlier this month, my legislation to allow firearms safety to be taught in Michigan schools passed unanimously through the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Senate Bill 664 would not mandate schools to teach the course; however, it would allow firearms safety instruction to be offered as part of an existing class or as an optional extracurricular course in our schools. Students who complete the curriculum would also get credit for hunter safety education.

This optional course would offer kids a wonderful opportunity to learn the important lessons of firearm safety, the tradition of hunting and Michigan’s great outdoors. I consider myself an avid outdoorsman, and it is my genuine hope that these classes could be especially valuable to students who might not grow up in families with hunting traditions.

The legislation would require firearms safety classes to be taught by certified hunter education instructors. Students would learn the proper usage and handling, including firearm and ammunition storage, safe cleaning and maintenance of different types of firearms and safe hunting practices. Real firearms or ammunition would not be allowed into schools as part of the instruction.

SB 664 received the support of the Michigan Department of Education, Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Commission, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the National Rifle Association. Although this bill did not move on the floor during lame duck, I am optimistic that we will be able to once again have bipartisan support for the bill during our upcoming new session term.

Do you have a stack of old yearbooks collecting dust? The Library of Michigan would like to take them off your hands.

The library is accepting yearbooks as part of an initiative to preserve complete sets of yearbooks from every high school, college, university and vocational institution in Michigan.

Yearbooks offer a unique snapshot of history and are a valuable resource for tracing family histories, local communities and Michigan's evolution over time. While the library already has thousands of yearbooks in its collection, several areas of the state are not yet represented.

Schools, libraries and members of the public are invited to donate their yearbooks to the Library of Michigan. Those who wish to donate are asked to contact the library by calling 517-335-1477 or emailing [email protected] to ensure the yearbooks they have are not already in the collection.

With 103 state parks and recreation areas, Michigan offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities year-round. From downhill skiing and cross-country skiing to snowboarding, snowshoeing and winter hiking, it is never too late to try something new this winter.

Most state parks and recreation areas are open for winter hiking, and many also offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Many state parks also have designated snowmobile areas. There’s even a luge run at Muskegon State Park!

Use the DNR Recreation Search tool to find the perfect park for your favorite winter activities. Filters can be used to search for amenities, activities, parking, accessibility, and more.

Michigan’s state parks system is largely state-funded. Funds raised through the sale of the Recreation Passport go directly back into maintaining and improving the outdoor spaces we all love and protecting natural resources for future generations. A Recreation Passport can be purchased through the secretary of state when registering your license plate or upon visiting a state park.

Michigan is home to more than 51 ski and snowboarding areas, over 260 lifts and nearly 1,000 ski runs scattered from southeast Michigan to the farthest reaches of the Upper Peninsula. The Keweenaw Peninsula receives an average of 300 inches of snow per year, making it an ideal destination for winter sports.

Advanced skiers will want to try one of the three world-renowned ski jumps located in Negaunee, Iron Mountain and Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula. These jumps have held dozens of ski jump records throughout the years. Beginners can hit the bunny slopes at family-friendly locations in the lower peninsula. And don’t forget to check out our own renowned ski resorts right here in the 32nd Senate District!

Visit Michigan.org for winter sports and activities, including a comprehensive guide to skiing in Michigan.