January 22, 2010

Livingston County farmers and landowners have until Feb. 19 to apply for financial assistance this year to make conservation improvements or increase wildlife habitat.

This is a great opportunity for area farmers and landowners to help our environment, protect local farms and increase hunting habitats. I encourage local residents to learn more about these incentive programs. They can cover up to 75 percent of the costs involved.

The assistance programs, through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, can include tree and shrub planting, establishing vegetative barriers around fields and waterways to contain nutrient run-off, pest management practices, irrigation water management, comprehensive nutrient management plans, forest management plans and prescribed grazing.

Wildlife habitat incentives can include native grass plantings, streambank and shoreline protection, forest stand improvement and controlling invasive plants.

Applications must be submitted to a local NRCS field office.

* * *

A lavish perk for state lawmakers could finally end after a group of House Democrat lawmakers this week announced their support for a key Republican government reform initiative.

Since taking office, I have supported measures to end lifetime health care benefits for state lawmakers. Believe it or not, lawmakers receive this benefit after serving only six years in the Legislature. Obviously, this type of perk is unheard of in the private sector.

Support from Democrats this week bodes well for the reform initiative because Democrats control the agenda in the Michigan House. GOP lawmakers have introduced several pieces of legislation over the years to end this practice, and I want to thank my Democrat colleagues for bolstering our efforts.

I hope legislation will be enacted soon in the House to end this benefit once and for all.

* * *

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 1-866-828-4863 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .