North Kent News

Sen. Mark Huizenga engaged with West Michigan residents during a recent town hall meeting, delving into a variety of pressing topics affecting the local community and the state as a whole. Huizenga expressed his gratitude to attendees, stating, “I want to thank everyone who came out to the town hall meeting. It was great to meet with West Michigan families and job providers, give them an update on what’s happening in Lansing and answer their questions.”

During the event, held at the Cascade branch of the Kent District Library, Huizenga touched on several significant subjects. He discussed the governor’s fiscal year 2025 budget recommendation, community investments supported in the current state budget, and legislation he is spearheading in the Senate. Huizenga highlighted measures such as blood testing for PFAS, penalties for fentanyl-related crimes, and the expansion of apprenticeships for cosmetology training.

Huizenga emphasized the importance of education, stating, “Education is vital to the future of our children and our state.” He elaborated on efforts to enhance educational opportunities, particularly for students from lower-income families, by providing additional resources like tutoring and summer school, ensuring college affordability, and enhancing student reading outcomes.

Residents at the town hall meeting raised a wide array of questions, covering topics such as PFAS contamination, proposed restrictions on homeschooling, water affordability, a statewide septic code, daylight savings time, biomedical research funding, Kent County's sanctuary status, and the regulation of TikTok.

In response to the diverse queries, Huizenga reassured constituents, saying, “I am here to serve the people of Kent and Ottawa counties and want them to know that their voices are heard.” For those unable to attend the town hall, opportunities to engage with Huizenga include contacting his office directly or attending upcoming in-district office hours.

Huizenga also extended an invitation to constituents to meet with him at scheduled events in March, providing an additional platform for dialogue and interaction. Residents can look forward to engaging with their senator on March 18 at Interurban Depot Cafe in Wright Township, March 28 at Sandy’s Donuts and Haggerty’s in Grand Rapids.

The town hall meeting facilitated a direct exchange of ideas and concerns between Sen. Mark Huizenga and the residents of West Michigan, underscoring the significance of community engagement in shaping legislative priorities and solutions.