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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to the most recent edition of my monthly e-newsletter!

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 32nd Senate District.

This email highlights the important work we have been doing in Lansing this past month.

Sincerely,
Jon Bumstead
State Senator
32nd District

Lame duck session coming to a chaotic end

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.

Firearm safety bill moves to Senate floor

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.

 
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Library of Michigan collecting yearbooks

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.

Michigan state parks are open all winter

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.

 
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Hit the slopes

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.

Bumstead highlights upcoming events in the 32nd District

Fat Tire Biking Season at Silver Lake ORV area
Dec. 15 — March 15
8 a.m. — dusk
Silver Lake ORV Area
8960 W. Fox Road
Mears

Description: Riders will enjoy 450 acres of open sand dunes, elevation changes of 80-100 feet and access to Lake Michigan. Click here to learn more.
 
Sparkle in the Park
Nov. 30 — Dec. 31
5 — 10 p.m.
Hopkins Park
Hopkins Drive
Bear Lake

Description: Free admission. Enjoy holiday festivities. Click here to learn more.
 
New Year’s Eve at Crystal Mountain
Tuesday, Dec. 31
3 p.m. — 12:30 a.m.
Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive
Thompsonville

Description: Kick off 2025 at Crystal Mountain!  Click here to learn more.
 
New Year’s Resolution 5K Run
Wednesday, Jan. 1
11 a.m.
James and Loomis streets
Ludington

Description: A great opportunity to get the new year started with a 5K through Ludington. Click here to learn more.
 
Winter Puzzle Competition
Thursday, Jan. 2
6 — 7 p.m.
Colby’s Cafe & Brew
3311 E. Colby St., Suite A
Whitehall

Description: Complete a 500-piece puzzle in this team competition at Colby’s Cafe & Brew. Click here to learn more.
 
Game Night
Thursday, Jan. 2
6:30 — 8 p.m.
IndiGrow Training Room
639 W. Clay Ave.
Muskegon

Description: A fun, 21+ game night at the IndiGrow Training Room. Click here to learn more.

Spy Themed Winter Open House
Friday, Jan. 3
11 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Muskegon Museum of History and Science
430 W. Clay Ave.
Muskegon

Description: Enjoy a mysterious time at the museum while decoding secret codes, searching the museum for clues, and more. Click here to learn more.

Charity Volleyball Tournament
Saturday, Jan. 11
9 a.m.
Jamesport Brewing Company
410 S. James St.
Ludington

Description: Help raise money and compete at the Charity Volleyball Tournament (Benefiting the Childhood Cancer Campaign) at Jamesport Brewing Company. Click here to learn more.

Emergency Fund Concert: Ron Harrison and Friends
Sunday, Jan. 12
2 — 4 p.m.
Upriver Pizza
1681 Benzie Hwy. #2
Benzonia

Description: A concert at Upriver Pizza for your enjoyment. Stop by to listen to the easy sounds of soul, country, and more. Click here to learn more.

First Game of the New Year for the Muskegon Risers
Saturday, Jan. 18
7 p.m.
Trinity Health Arena
470 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon

Description: Enjoy some soccer in the Trinity Health Arena as the Muskegon Risers hope to begin the new year strong. Click here to learn more.

Lantern-lit Snowshoe Hike
Saturday, Jan. 18
6 — 8 p.m.
Ludington State Park
8800 W. M-116
Ludington

Description: Enjoy a nighttime, lantern-lit hike through Ludington State Park. Click here to learn more.

Pure Ludington Brrrewfest
Saturday, Jan. 25
1 — 6 p.m.
Legacy Plaza
102 W. Ludington Ave.
Ludington

Description: Get yourself a local beer, cider or wine at the 2025 Pure Ludington Brrrewfest. Click here to learn more.


Senator Jon Bumstead
4600 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

Visit my website at: SenatorJonBumstead.com

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