Dear Neighbor,
October has arrived, and with that, the leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and autumn is fully underway! We hope you’ll take advantage of everything the Mitten State has to offer this month, whether that be trick-or-treating with the kids, visiting a local pumpkin patch or cider mill with some friends, or exploring our scenic state parks brimming with peak fall foliage.
My legislative colleagues and I have been hard at work in the Capitol advocating on your behalf and implementing more practical solutions to support both our local communities and the entire state. And just last week, the historic state budget that we passed over the summer took effect, delivering record investments that build up Michigan’s schools, families, infrastructure, and so much more.
If you have any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or need assistance, please feel free to contact my office. You can contact me at 517-373-0142 for the Lansing office, 810-233-9853 for the district office, or via email at SenJCherry@senate.michigan.gov.
Sincerely,
John Cherry
State Senator
District 27
Featured in This Newsletter
- Legislative Updates
- Upcoming Events
- News and Resources
Legislative Updates
Senate Passes My Legislation to Extend Pheasant Hunting and Restore American Woodcock
As an avid outdoorsman, I know how vital it is to protect our game species and hunting traditions for the future. That’s why I’m excited to share that this past week, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 803 and 860, legislation I introduced earlier this year aiming to maintain huntable numbers of pheasants in game areas and increase the population of American Woodcock in Michigan. These bills now head to the House for their consideration.
Senate Bill 803 extends the state pheasant license program, which was established in 2020 through a collaboration between the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) and conservation groups. The program raises funds through license sales to support pheasant hunting by releasing birds into designated hunting areas on state land. Initially set to expire in January 2026, this bill proposes a five-year extension of the program.
Senate Bill 860, known as the American Woodcock Restoration Plan, directs the Michigan DNR to collaborate with stakeholders to set population goals and assess habitat needs to recover the American Woodcock, which has experienced a 50-year decline in Michigan.
Together, these bills will enable more Michiganders to get outdoors and enjoy hunting — something many of us cherish deeply.
Upcoming Events
I’m excited to announce that we have a few community conversations planned throughout the season. These gatherings provide a great opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to you, answer any questions, and share legislative updates on the exciting things happening at our state Capitol. Please find more information about my upcoming events below and on my website. I hope to see you soon!
Swartz Creek Community Conversation
WHEN: Friday, October 18, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Swartz Creek Senior Center, 8095 Civic Dr. #2, Swartz Creek, MI 48473
News and Resources
Michigan College Month — Free College Applications!
As part of the American College Application Campaign, October is Michigan College Month! During this month, many Michigan colleges and universities waive their application fee in an effort to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college and for financial aid. The Michigan College Access Network created a list of participating colleges.
Find more information, additional institutions waiving their fee for Michigan College Month 2024, and downloadable fee waivers here.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is a crisis facing women and families across Michigan and the United States. On a typical day, more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Here in Michigan, an average of one in three families are impacted by domestic violence every year.
The issue of domestic violence is also deeply interconnected with gun violence, as more abusers are choosing firearms as their weapon of choice. That’s why my colleagues and I voted last year to advance legislation to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted abusers. Click here to read more about how Senate Bills 471 and 528 are helping to enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please visit the Michigan State Police webpage on domestic violence here for more information or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Additional resources can be found here.