Quantcast

Holland Reporter

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Local Government News

Local Government

Rep. Smit’s Votes and Explanations on Recent Bills

In the legislative session for the week of April 22, Representative Smit shared insights into their voting decisions on various bills presented in the Michigan House of Representatives.Regarding HB 5527 and HB 5528, which focus on cardiac emergency response plans in schools and CPR training for athletic coaches, Rep. Smit explained their NO vote by expressing concerns about the potential financial burden on the School Aid budget, stating, "The unknown increased cost to the School Aid budget would be enormous."On HB 4618, involving regional airport authorities in...

By Holland Reporter | Apr 30, 2024

Local Government

Huizenga Statement on Foreign Aid Package

Congressman Bill Huizenga from Michigan has shared his thoughts on the recent foreign aid package votes in the House, specifically focusing on measures for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific Region."When considering emergency supplementals, we must examine each supplemental individually," stated Congressman Bill Huizenga.Speaking about aid for Israel, Congressman Huizenga emphasized the importance of supporting the nation, stating, "we must ensure our greatest ally in the Middle East has the resources to defend itself from Iran, Hamas, and additional terrorist proxy...

By Holland Reporter | Apr 20, 2024

Latest News

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

Huizenga Legislation to Sanction Iran, Cut off Terrorism Funding Passes U.S. House

By Holland Reporter | Apr 15, 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 5921, a bill introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga, aimed at sanctioning Iran and cutting off terrorism funding. The legislation, known as the No U.S. Financing for Iran Act, seeks to hold Iran accountable and limit its capacity to support terrorist activities and target Israel. The bipartisan bill secured a vote of 294-105 in the House following Iran's recent assault on Israel, a key ally of the United States.In his statement following the successful passage of the bill, Congressman Bill Huizenga expressed his...

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

America Stands with Israel Against Iranian Assault

By Holland Reporter | Apr 13, 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga has expressed strong support for Israel and condemned Iran's actions following an assault on the country. In a statement released, Huizenga stated, "I stand with Israel and completely condemn the actions of Iran. The Biden Administration needs to end their soft on Iran policies and restore accountability."Huizenga also urged immediate action from Congress, saying, "There are House-passed bills containing aid to Israel sitting in the Senate that Senator Schumer can bring up immediately. Congress should also act to pass new sanctions on Iran...

Medium 3347141krwc4ze2u49ckggxccqd9

Local Government

Rep. Slagh to host local office hours in Zeeland, Hudsonville, Jenison

By Holland Reporter | Apr 10, 2024

Rep. Slagh is set to host local office hours in Zeeland, Hudsonville, and Jenison on Friday, April 26, giving residents the opportunity to engage with their representative. The sessions will provide constituents with a platform to voice their thoughts, values, questions, and concerns directly to the representative.According to Rep. Slagh, "Local office hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet face-to-face with me." He added, "No appointments are necessary to attend."The office hours will be held at three different locations throughout the morning:- From 7 to 8...

Medium 3347141krwc4ze2u49ckggxccqd9

Local Government

Rep. Slagh’s plan improving method for setting speed limits is now state law

By Holland Reporter | Apr 2, 2024

State Representative Bradley Slagh's efforts to improve the method of determining speed limits on Michigan roads have come to fruition as his bill has been signed into law. The new legislation, House Bill 4012, empowers local communities to have a say in setting speed limits, taking into account factors beyond just metrics.Under the previous law, speed limits were set based solely on metrics, which often led to frustrations among community officials. Slagh's plan now allows communities to set speeds within the nearest multiple of 5 mph, giving them the flexibility to...

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

Repowering Palisades Means Lower Costs, Greater Energy Security, and Good Paying Jobs for SW Michigan

By Holland Reporter | Mar 27, 2024

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) expressed his satisfaction after the Department of Energy announced the conditional commitment of up to $1.52 billion for a loan to repower Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, Michigan. Huizenga stated, “Today’s announcement is a massive step towards restoring 800 megawatts of carbon-free energy generation and hundreds of highly skilled jobs right here in Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District. Holtec’s historic repowering of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant will provide safe, reliable energy to meet Southwest Michigan’s...

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

Huizenga: Republicans Must Stick Together

By Holland Reporter | Mar 22, 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga emphasized the importance of Republican unity in a recent statement following a significant vote on key legislative measures. Huizenga expressed his belief that a stronger collective stance from Republicans could have yielded a more favorable outcome in the funding debate.In his statement, Huizenga highlighted the necessity of passing the legislation to address various crucial aspects, including border security enhancements and increased troop pay. He underscored the significance of ending what he referred to as Nancy Pelosi’s spending priorities...

Medium lre3c9ckfovp2nj2el8slawndi15

Local Government

Michigan House Members Explain Votes on Recent Bills

By Holland Reporter | Mar 20, 2024

Michigan House Members recently voted on various bills, providing explanations for their decisions. Representative Prestin, a sponsor of HB 5378, explained, "This ensures that all intended logging companies that operate close to the border are covered by the Michigan-Wisconsin fuel tax reciprocity agreement." Conversely, Representative Hill, regarding HB 5379, expressed concerns, stating, "Continuing to expand the distances for reciprocity agreements could lead to us forgoing the IFTA requirements altogether."Representative Arbit shared thoughts on HB 4927, which aimed to...

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

Huizenga, Mast, Luetkemeyer, & Wilson Question Biden Administration on Iran Sanctions Waiver

By Holland Reporter | Mar 13, 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga, Congressman Brian Mast, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Congressman Joe Wilson have raised concerns about the Biden Administration's decision to grant waivers allowing the transfer of Iranian funds from Iraq to Oman and other jurisdictions. The lawmakers question how the administration can justify providing financial support to the Iranian regime amidst ongoing attacks on American troops and international cargo ships.In a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Huizenga, Mast, Luetkemeyer,...

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

Huizenga Votes to Protect American Data Privacy From the Chinese Communist Party

By Holland Reporter | Mar 13, 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga has voted in support of legislation aimed at protecting American data privacy from foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party. The bipartisan legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 352 to 65, addresses concerns related to foreign ownership of social media companies in the United States.Huizenga highlighted the national security threat posed by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized the need for ByteDance to divest from TikTok in order to safeguard the...

Medium hru2htibdd8bqyjpe730cpiol00t

Local Government

Congressman Bill Huizenga Responds to President Biden's State of the Union Address

By Holland Reporter | Mar 8, 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga has responded to President Biden's State of the Union Address, criticizing the speech as a narrowly tailored campaign speech rather than a unifying one. In a video statement, Huizenga disputed the President's views on various issues, including the economy, the border, and rising crime rates.Huizenga expressed his disagreement with President Biden's assessment of the current state of the nation, stating that "most Americans are not feeling safer or more economically secure since President Biden took office."The Congressman's remarks highlight a...

Local Government

Huizenga Statement on Finalized SEC Climate Disclosure Rule

By Holland Reporter | Mar 6, 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) expressed strong criticism in response to the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) finalized rule requiring climate-related risk disclosures."Today’s announcement on climate-related risk disclosures confirms one thing, the SEC’s destructive regulatory agenda continues to hit new lows," stated Congressman Huizenga. He further added, "Investors should realize this overreach by the SEC will significantly hurt our economy while serving as boon for special interests and far-left activists."Moreover, Congressman Huizenga raised concerns...

Medium lre3c9ckfovp2nj2el8slawndi15

Local Government

Michigan Legislature Votes on Various Bills: Week of Feb. 26

By Holland Reporter | Mar 1, 2024

Michigan legislators have been busy voting on a variety of bills this week. Among the bills that were discussed and voted on were SB 57 and SB 58, which aimed to regulate the sale of objects designed for inhaling nitrous oxide for recreational purposes. SB 57, sponsored by Sens. Chang and Bellino, passed with a vote of 87-18, while SB 58 passed with a vote of 88-17. One legislator who voted against the bills expressed their skepticism by stating, "This change will not stop illicit activity from occurring."Another bill that received unanimous support was HB 5151, which...

Medium 3347141krwc4ze2u49ckggxccqd9

Local Government

Rep. Slagh to host local office hours

By Holland Reporter | Feb 29, 2024

State Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland) is extending an invitation to residents to join him at his upcoming morning office hours on Monday, March 11. The local office hours aim to provide constituents with the opportunity to engage face-to-face with Rep. Slagh and express their thoughts, questions, and concerns. As highlighted in the announcement, no appointments are required to attend the sessions.The specific times and locations for the office hours are as follows:- From 7 to 8 a.m. at Signatures Coffee and Espresso Bar located at 6375 Balsam Dr. in Hudsonville- From...

Medium tractor1

Local Government

The state of taxpayer-funded farm subsidies in cities associated with Allegan County in 2021

By Holland Reporter | Feb 28, 2024

Farms throughout cities in Allegan County received $10.2 million less in subsidies in 2021 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to the year before.

Medium tractor

Local Government

Did farm subsidies in cities associated with Ottawa County rise or fall in 2021?

By Holland Reporter | Feb 27, 2024

Farms throughout cities in Ottawa County received $21.4 million less in subsidies in 2021 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to the year before.

Medium lre3c9ckfovp2nj2el8slawndi15

Local Government

Legislator announces reason for voting against HB 4312 and HB 4313

By Holland Reporter | Feb 24, 2024

On February 24, 2024, the Michigan Legislature saw the passage of two bills, HB 4312 and HB 4313, sponsored by Representatives Roth and Coffia. The bills allow for the conversion of certain summer resorts to domestic non-profits. HB 4312 passed with a vote of 88-18 with Immediate Effect, while HB 4313 passed with a vote of 86-20 with Immediate Effect.One legislator who voted against the bills expressed their reasoning, stating, "Summer resorts are exactly that and should be incorporated as such."This dissenting opinion sheds light on the differing perspectives within...

Medium tractor

Local Government

Taxpayer-funded subsidies offered to Allegan County farmers in 2021 reached $4,096,218

By Holland Reporter | Feb 23, 2024

Farms in Allegan County received $4,096,218 in taxpayer-funded subsidies in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Medium haytractor

Local Government

How much did farmers in Ottawa County receive in taxpayer-funded subsidies in 2021?

By Holland Reporter | Feb 22, 2024

Farms in Ottawa County received $7,185,930 in taxpayer-funded subsidies in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.