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

I recently welcomed both the Rockford High School girls dance team and boys basketball team to the state Capitol to recognize each team’s recent success and present them with congratulatory tributes for their accomplishments.

The boys basketball team recently won the state championship in their division and finished the season with a 25-3 record. The dance team won Michigan’s first-ever dance championship and placed 11th and 12th nationally.

These young men and women made their community proud. Both teams reached the pinnacle of competition in our state, and both returned home victorious. These students should be incredibly proud of the milestone they achieved, and I really hope they individually take the time to realize how special this accomplishment is.

It truly is a special moment for these student-athletes and for the coaching staffs of both teams. They deserve every bit of this recognition.

In this week’s episode of Conversations with Mark, I’m joined by Rivka Hodgkinson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts.

We dive into how conservation districts across our state are building strong partnerships, expanding resources and empowering communities to create lasting change for both people and the environment.

Click here or on the image below to watch the podcast. The episode is now available on all major platforms, and new episodes drop every other Thursday at noon.

Libraries are one of the truly public spaces we have in society, and many are home to the deep-rooted memories we have from our childhood.

Whether it was picking out a favorite book or learning how to research subjects in school, our public libraries have played a major role in our lives, and I look forward to ensuring future generations have that resource available to them as well.

Libraries can only play this role if we choose to support them. I encourage my colleagues to support our local libraries through policy and funding, and I urge communities across the state to do the same.

It was an honor to speak on the Capitol steps for Michigan Library Advocacy Day. Libraries strengthen Michigan’s communities, spark opportunity and welcome everyone who walks through their doors.

Let’s do our part to keep them strong for generations to come.

Month at the Museum at the Ada History Center is a tremendous time to celebrate the past and learn more about the history of our communities.

Through a variety of activities and museum open hours, families of all ages can enjoy free educational and fun experiences. There is also a special temporary exhibit honoring our nation’s 250th anniversary!

For more information or to schedule a visit, please explore their website at AdaHistoryCenter.org.

Honoring our veterans is one of the best ways to give back to the men and women who served our country.

A great opportunity to show your support is being held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids, where volunteers can help place flags on veterans’ graves.

The event will take place rain or shine, and all are welcome to participate in this volunteer event.

More information is available here.

The state Senate recently passed the chamber’s proposal for the upcoming fiscal year state budget.

I offered three amendments during debate on the Senate floor that would have provided targeted tax relief for Michigan families by reducing costs on essential items for children and certain household goods, as well as funding for PFAS testing for children.

My amendments would have helped reduce costs on baby and child necessities such as diapers, wipes, bottles, clothing and cribs; eliminate the sales tax on common household grocery items, including cleaning and bathroom supplies; and set aside $5 million for PFAS testing for children in Kent, Kalamazoo and Ottawa counties.

The focus of my amendments was delivering relief where it matters most by helping families better afford everyday essentials and providing peace of mind for parents about their children’s health. Unfortunately, all three amendments were rejected by the current majority.

Families across Michigan are still feeling the impact of high prices, especially when it comes to the basic items they need every day. When people go to the store, they are not buying extras — they are buying food, diapers and supplies for their kids.

These were simple proposals that put people over politics and solved real problems facing Michigan families. We had an opportunity to work together to provide meaningful, targeted relief, reduce costs for families and prioritize the health of children across West Michigan. It’s very disappointing to see these commonsense, bipartisan issues not get the support they deserve.

We can do better with this budget, and I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance solutions that lower costs and deliver real results for families in West Michigan.

Michigan’s elk season application period opened May 1, with updates for the 2026 and 2027 seasons:

Elk hunting is limited to Michigan residents. Applications are open through June 1. Each hunter is limited to one application per year.

Applications cost $5 and are available in person at any license agent, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. Drawing results will be announced June 22.

For more information on the 2026-27 elk hunting regulations, visit the DNR’s elk hunting regulations webpage.

The Michigan Senate approved legislation that would allow doctors to provide patients with information about organ donation.

Senate Bill 205 would allow physicians to ask about a patient’s interest in becoming a bone marrow, organ or tissue donor and provide information about how to register.

Over the past decade, more than 9,000 Michigan patients have received organ transplants, while more than 2,700 remain on a waiting list. The bill aims to increase awareness and expand participation. For more information on organ donation, or to sign up, visit Gift of Life Michigan.

Following recent flooding and severe weather, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging residents to “know before you go” by checking conditions before visiting state-managed sites.

DNR crews are working around the clock to assess damage and determine which sites are safe to reopen. Some state park sites and trails, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds may be limited due to flooding and other damage.

The 2026 Pure Michigan Hunt winners have been announced. Each winner is awarded an incredible prize package that includes every 2026 limited-license hunt offered by the DNR, along with hunting gear and other outdoor items.

A total of 93,380 entries were purchased for a chance to win one of three packages. The $5 entry fee supports Michigan’s wildlife habitat restoration and management efforts.

Michigan is home to more than 400,000 veterans. National Military Appreciation Month recognizes their service and the sacrifices of their families.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency provides support services, including employment assistance, mental health resources and help accessing medical benefits.

Veterans can learn more online or by calling 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838).

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.