Jon Bumstead
Michigan State Senator
Director, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly
Dear Friends,
As the state of Michigan continues our fight against COVID-19, I wanted to take some time to provide a few updates from the Michigan Legislature.
I have received new committee assignments for the 2021-2022 term. I previously served on the Committee on Education and Career Readiness, but I will be leaving that committee and taking a new position as vice chairman on the Advice and Consent Committee. I have another new role as the chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules — a statutorily created, bipartisan legislative committee responsible for legislative oversight of administrative rules proposed or adopted by state agencies.
My full list of committee assignments is below:
Appropriations Committees: Vice Chair of Appropriations, Chair of Natural Resources & Environment, Great Lakes & Energy subcommittee, Vice Chair of General Government subcommittee, K-12 & Michigan Department of Education subcommittee.
Policy Committees: Chair of Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Vice Chair of Advice and Consent, Vice Chair of Natural Resources, Energy & Technology, Finance.
Spring is normally a busy time for the Michigan Legislature because of the necessary work of balancing the state budget prior to the start of the new fiscal year. 2021 has already proven to be more demanding than usual due to the evolving response needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, I have remained dedicated to keeping our residents safe while also helping workers and businesses that are struggling get back on track. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the economy of our state and has put our small businesses in jeopardy of failure.
The legislature recently passed additional supplemental funding that prioritized vaccine distribution, additional testing, and money to help students safely return to the classroom. My colleagues and I in the legislature continue to discuss the best path forward so that we can responsibly allocate additional COVID-19 relief funding to help businesses and families that need it most.
As we continue to discuss COVID-19 relief, my colleagues and I are also working to balance the state budget. The budget process is moving forward, and as Chair of the DNR and EGLE budgets, I have developed an excellent working relationship with DNR Director Eichinger and EGLE Director Clark. I am now in my third year as the Senate chair of these two budgets, and I have always been open to discussions with both departments in order to protect our abundant natural resources here in Michigan.