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 or my  official X account.

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

Merry Christmas to you and your family! As we celebrate this beautiful season, may we take time to relax, enjoy the blessings around us, and cherish precious moments with loved ones. Let us be thankful for what we have and mindful of those who have less. Family, gratitude and community are the true gifts of Christmas.

Click here or on the image below to watch a Christmas greetings video from your Capitol building.

Since joining the board of The Salvation Army - Kent County in 2017, one of my favorite traditions has been volunteering as a bell ringer during Christmas. It’s always a joy to spread holiday cheer while giving back to those who are less fortunate.

To learn more about how you can volunteer or give, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org/mi/grand-rapids/sakentcounty-org.

Click here or on the second image below to watch a video we recorded while I volunteered as a bell ringer outside a retail store in Kent County.

It may be a bit early, but Happy New Year to you and your family! With 2026 just around the corner, it is a great time to make new plans, set resolutions and embrace new opportunities. May the new year bring peace, joy and success to you and your loved ones. Wishing everyone the very best in 2026!

Click here to watch a short video I recorded for the upcoming year.

Congratulations to the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives on its new location!

This new space is 15 times larger than the previous one and will include classrooms, events, rotating exhibits and hands-on learning for all ages.

My office was honored to present a congratulatory tribute and thank them for their continued work educating the public on this important history.

Hehlden Farm in Polkton Township has been a cornerstone of the community since 1893. Founded by Jacob and Katie Hehl, the farm has thrived through five generations of dedicated stewardship. Now led by Matt and Amy Hehl, the farm proudly raises hogs and poultry while cultivating corn and soybeans, continuing a tradition that helps put food on our tables and sustains Michigan’s agricultural legacy.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the Hehl family’s commitment to farming and their role in strengthening our local economy.

Click here to watch a video we recorded during our visit to the farm.

Reading to your kids is vitally important for expanding their minds and opening them up to the world of books. During this season, I have always enjoyed picking out a classic holiday story to read to my kids.

Click here or on the first image below to join me and my grandson Emmett as I read “I Am the Grinch” by Dr. Seuss!

Click here or on the image below to join me as I read “The Night Before Christmas,” which is a story families have cherished for generations. It’s one that truly captures the festive spirit of the season.

Congratulations to Paws With A Cause on the reopening of its newly renovated space! Founded in 1979, Paws With A Cause’s mission is to train and place custom assistance dogs to help people with disabilities live more independent lives.

This newly renovated space will further its mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities. My office was honored to present this tribute to congratulate and thank them for their updated space and continued impact across our state.

Congratulations to Scooter’s Coffee in Cascade Township on its grand re-opening!

If you are in the neighborhood and in need of a delicious coffeehouse, head over to Scooter’s for convenient, friendly service. My office was honored to present a congratulatory tribute to the franchise owners and thank them for opening their business right here in West Michigan.

While Michigan’s winter weather can make driving dangerous, there are steps you can take to prepare and operate your vehicle safely.

As the year comes to an end, many Michigan residents are planning their holiday or year-end giving. The Michigan attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division offers resources to help donors evaluate a charity and ask the right questions before giving.

Additional resources include:

The Legislature recently voted to make Michigan’s $25 pheasant license permanent.

At one time, small game hunters harvested more than 1 million pheasants annually in Michigan. For many, pheasant hunting was their introduction to hunting and sparked a lifelong interest. In recent years, however, harvest numbers have dropped to fewer than 60,000 roosters annually, and fewer new hunters were participating in small game hunting.

To help revive the sport, the Legislature created a pheasant hunting license in 2020. That law included a Jan. 1, 2026 sunset to allow lawmakers and the Department of Natural Resources to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Based on its success, the Legislature voted to make the license permanent.

A pheasant license is not required to hunt on private land that is not enrolled in the Hunter Access Program, on licensed game preserves, or on public land in the Upper Peninsula. Hunters under the age of 17 are also exempt. Revenue generated from the license is dedicated to releasing live pheasants on state-owned land.

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.