State Rep. Dave Maturen faces Challenge in Upcoming Election

63rd District State Rep. Dave Maturen was a guest on Monday's WBCK Morning Show with Tim Collins.   During the interview (see video), Rep. Maturen talked about being challenged in the upcoming primary, and his campaign plans.

Also discussed in the Legislative Update:

•  Recently introduced a plan creating a Pollinator Health Advisory Council to advise the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on ways to improve the health of bees and other pollinators. Michigan honey bees have been dying off at alarming rates since 2006. If this trend continues for too much longer, it’s going to have a negative impact on Michigan's agriculture industry and our state economy.
• Last week, the House voted to advance nearly $50 million from the Natural Resources Trust Fund for 131 recreational development and land acquisition projects across Michigan. There are two local projects included: 

1.  $255,00 will go toward the development of a trail to extend the Albion River Trail system on the west side of the city of Albion. This project is part of a larger push by the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance, the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, the DNR, and others to fill the gaps that exist along the trail systems.
2. $231,900 will help purchase a 65-acre parcel of land in Albion Township. The ultimate goal is to develop the property into a major trailhead and public recreation area for eastern Calhoun County. The trailhead will serve several recreational assets including the Iron Belle Trail, which is being developed through the City of Albion and then through Albion College's Equestrian Center before it comes back onto public roadways at M99 and at the proposed trailhead location.

•    Also introduced by State Rep. Maturen:  A bill which allows a homeowner whose residence has not increased in value since it was constructed to receive an exemption from the real estate transfer tax if they sell the home for an amount less than or equal to its true cash value – is now advancing through the legislative process. It was approved by the Senate Finance Committee last week.
•        Dave co-sponsored a bill that was recently introduced to exempt seasonal docks from property taxes. Specifically, the bill defines docks as personal property if they are “detached from real property and stored offshore annually for the winter season.”