GARCIA TO HOST HOMELAND SECURITY EVENT State Sen. Valde Garcia today announced he will host the Michigan Homeland Security Consortium Roundtable next Monday. The November 23 event is open to all companies and organizations involved in the security and defense industry in Michigan, and is designed to help grow the business of homeland security in our state.  [more]

GARCIA APPLAUDS LOCAL AWARD WINNING FARM State Sen. Valde Garcia today congratulated TMZ Farm for receiving the Small Business Commerce Association's 2009 Best of Business Award in its Grocery category.  [more]

DNR CONFIRMS VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA VIRUS IN BASELINE LAKE AND LAKE ST. CLAIR The Department of Natural Resources announced today that it has confirmed the presence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) in samples of fish collected this spring in Baseline Lake in Washtenaw County and in Lake St. Clair. Baseline Lake becomes the second inland lake in Michigan in which VHSv is present.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA ISSUES STATEMENT ON MICHIGAN STATE POLICE BUDGET "It was a mistake to not pass the Michigan State Police budget today, and it was also a mistake to not save our troopers."  [more]

DEQ AIR QUALITY MONITORING DOCUMENT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT The Department of Environmental Quality has released the annual ambient air quality monitoring Network Review document for public comment.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA OVERSEES 15TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE Michigans fallen military heroes who defended freedom and sacrificed their lives in the War on Terror were honored Thursday during the Michigan Senate's 15th Annual Memorial Day Service, said Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell.  [more]

GARCIA BILL EXEMPTING LICENSE RENEWAL FEES FOR MILITARY MEMBERS SIGNED INTO LAW Photo Advisory   [more]

MICHIGANS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AGENCY NOW OFFERS MARVIN ONLINE Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has expanded its online services to help relieve the flood of telephone calls to its automated MARVIN system.  [more]

USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides no-interest loans to Rural Development utility program borrowers, which in turn re-lend the money to local entities to promote economic development and job creation.  [more]

MICHIGANS COMPUTER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW AS NATIONAL E-WASTE RECYCLING RATE SEES HUGE INCREASE Legislation that establishes a manufacturer-driven program in Michigan to increase the recycling of consumer computer electronics was recently signed into state law, said Sens. Patty Birkholz and Valde Garcia, sponsors of the measures.  [more]

BINGO BILL GOES TO GOVERNOR EXPANDS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MICHIGAN NATIONAL GUARD Active units of the Michigan National Guard are permitted to hold raffles to raise funds for repairs and other needs under legislation on its way to the governors desk.  [more]

SENATE SENDS COMPUTER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING LEGISLATION TO GOVERNOR The Michigan Senate today approved legislation that will establish a manufacturer-driven program to increase the recycling of consumer computer electronics without a charge on consumers.  [more]

BILL TO HELP REDUCE ENERGY COSTS APPROVED BY SENATE Home improvement projects that increase energy efficiency are now on the list of approved purposes for individual or family development accounts under legislation recently passed in the Senate, said Sen. Valde Garcia.  [more]

GARCIA NAMED PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR BY VETERANS ORGANIZATION State Sen. Valde Garcia was presented the Lee J. Doser, Jr. Memorial Public Servant of the Year award during the recent Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America 5th Annual Salute to Veterans Gala.  [more]

GARCIA: MILITARY SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS The 2008 Michigan Defense and Innovation Symposium (MDIS 2008) was a resounding success, said state Sen. Valde Garcia.   [more]

GARCIA ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO DONATE USED CELL PHONES TO AID DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS State Sen. Valde Garcia has partnered with local businesses and organizations to collect used cellular phones to support the battle against domestic violence.  [more]

SENATE CELEBRATES AMERICA RECYCLES DAY BY APPROVING LEGISLATION TO SPUR COMPUTER ELECTRONICS RECYCLING Recycling plan free for consumers  [more]

MILITARY SYMPOSIUM OFFERS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES State Sen. Valde Garcia today encouraged technology companies, entrepreneurs, university faculty and staff, and researchers and developers in the 22nd District to attend the Michigan Defense and Innovation Symposium (MDIS 2008) on November 17 and 18 in Livonia.   [more]

GARCIA ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO SERVE ON NEW ENERGY BOARD State Sen. Valde Garcia today encouraged individuals in Livingston, Shiawassee and southern Ingham counties to consider serving on the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board.   [more]

GARCIA: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ACHIEVED ITS GOALS This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration was a rousing success, awarding $2,000 in scholarships to four Michigan high school students and recognizing several individuals and organizations throughout the state for their leadership in the Hispanic community, said state Sen. Valde Garcia, member of the Legislature’s Hispanic Caucus.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA APPLAUDS NEW SOS PLUS OFFICE State Sen. Valde Garcia said today he is pleased with the enhanced services the new secretary of state PLUS Office in west Oakland County offers his constituents.   [more]

SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION ELIMINATING ONEROUS MBT SURCHARGE A bill that removes the surcharge Michigan businesses pay on top of the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) has passed the Senate, said state Sen. Valde Garcia.  [more]

SENATE COMMITTEE REPORTS BIRKHOLZ/GARCIA E-WASTE LEGISLATION TO SPUR COMPUTER RECYCLING Measures part of Senate Republican “Green Michigan Initiative”  [more]

SEN. GARCIA OVERSEES SON’S ENLISTMENT INTO THE ARMY -State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, proudly announced that today he administered the oath enlisting his son Brian into the U.S. Army.  [more]

NEW LAW GIVES RELIEF TO HOMEOWNERS Legislation providing much-needed relief to Michigan residents having trouble selling their homes has been signed into law, announced state Sen. Valde Garcia.  [more]

GARCIA: CRITICAL MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET NOW LAW State Sen. Valde Garcia is pleased to report the 2009 fiscal year budget for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has been signed into law, providing more than $183 million for the department.  [more]

SCHOOL AID BUDGET PROVIDES MORE PER-PUPIL FUNDING Public schools in Michigan can start planning for the fall now that per-pupil funding levels have been established and the Senate has sent the conference report on the School Aid budget to the House for final approval, said Sen. Valde Garcia.  [more]

STATE SENATE PASSES GARCIA BILLS IMPROVING HOUSING INSPECTIONS AND ADULT FOSTER CARE LICENSURE The Michigan Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that will streamline local housing inspections and exclude some private residences in limited situations from adult foster care licensure, said the bills’ sponsor, Sen. Valde Garcia.  [more]

PHOTO ADVISORY: SEN. GARCIA WELCOMES LAINGSBURG PASTOR TO SENATE SESSION State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, proudly welcomed Richard Bishop, associate pastor of the First Baptist Church of Laingsburg, and Pastor Bishop’s wife Rita to the Michigan Capitol on June 18.  [more]

GARCIA: ADDRESS BY TOP ARMY GENERAL DEMONSTRATES POTENTIAL FOR INCREASING CONTRACTS WITH MICHIGAN COMPANIES The state has reason to be optimistic after an address on Tuesday by U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George Casey, said Sen. Valde Garcia, who attended the event.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA ENCOURAGES LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ATTEND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING SEMINAR State Sen. Valde Garcia is encouraging Michigan-based businesses looking to diversify into government contracting to attend a seminar on that subject being hosted this month by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.  [more]

GARCIA VOTES TO KEEP PRINCIPAL-RESIDENCE STATUS FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY HOMEOWNERS State Sen. Valde Garcia and his fellow senators today voted unanimously to approve legislation allowing military personnel to keep their principal residence status while on active duty elsewhere in the armed forces.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA HONORS GROWING SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN BUSINESS “This innovative computer company is one of the best-kept secrets of a Michigan business capturing defense contracts and succeeding at it,” said Garcia, R-Howell. “Rave is an example of a small company doing great work in a challenging economic climate.”  [more]

GARCIA BILL ALLOWS STUDENTS AN EXCUSE FROM SCHOOL TO ATTEND A MILITARY CEREMONY Schools will be required to issue an excused absence from school for children whose active-duty military parents or family members are involved in a deployment or returning ceremony under legislation signed into law Wednesday, said bill sponsor Sen. Valde Garcia.  [more]

GARCIA VOTES TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS State Sen. Valde Garcia and his fellow senators today overwhelmingly passed House Bill 5476, allowing a tax form checkoff item for contributions to the Michigan Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Monument Fund.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA PRESIDES OVER 14TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE “Memorial Day serves a critical role in our nation, helping us remember that freedom is a wonderful but costly blessing,” said Garcia, a colonel in the Michigan Army National Guard and chairman of the Senate Appropriations State Police and Military Affairs Subcommittee. “I am so grateful the Legislature could again pay tribute to the lives of the Michigan soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow Americans.”  [more]

MEDIA ADVISORY: SEN. GARCIA TO PRESIDE OVER 14TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE The 14th Annual Memorial Day Service will honor Michigan soldiers who gave their lives in service to our country. Lawmakers will remember soldiers from their districts who made the ultimate sacrifice in the past 12 months. Families who lost loved ones will also be recognized by the Senate.  [more]

BACK TO SCHOOL AN HONOR FOR SENATOR GARCIA It is back to late-night coffee, paper, pencil, and books for state Sen. Valde Garcia, who is beginning one of the most demanding and challenging academic programs offered by the United States Army. Garcia, a colonel in the Army National Guard, is starting a two-year master’s program in national strategic studies offered by the Army War College.  [more]

SENATE APPROVES GARCIA BILL HELPING QUALIFIED SERVICE MEMBERS OBTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVERS’ LICENSES The state Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday enabling qualified military personnel to obtain commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs) without having to take the CDL skills test, said bill sponsor Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA REPRESENTS MICHIGAN’S INTERESTS IN TRIP TO WASHINGTON State Sen. Valde Garcia visited Washington, D.C. last weekend to broaden connections with the U.S. Department of Defense for obtaining military contracts for Michigan businesses.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA WELCOMES GIRLS BASKETBALL CLASS D STATE CHAMPION NEW LOTHROP HIGH TO SENATE SESSION State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, on Wednesday welcomed to the Michigan Capitol the New Lothrop High School girls basketball team, which won the Class D state championship in March by beating Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 42-36.   [more]

GARCIA PRAISES AGREEMENT AMONG STATE UNIVERSITIES TO GRANT IN-STATE TUITION RATES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES Garcia praises agreement among state universities to grant in-state tuition rates for military families  [more]

SENATE APPROVES BILL SECURING MONEY FOR CRITICAL LOCAL ROAD PROJECTS State Sen. Valde Garcia voted today to extend the deadline of a federal grant matching program, enabling the use of federal dollars for critical road repairs.  [more]

PHOTO ADVISORY: SEN. GARCIA WELCOMES LAINGSBURG PASTOR TO SENATE SESSION State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, proudly welcomed Pastor Mike Hixson from Graham Community Church in Laingsburg to the Michigan Capitol today.  [more]

GARCIA SIGNS ON TO PROTECT WAR MEMORIALS State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, co-sponsored legislation Wednesday that would make destroying or mutilating a war memorial or monument a felony.  [more]

GARCIA'S BILL CLARIFYING DRIVING VIOLATIONS PASSES THE SENATE Motorists will soon receive clearer insight into right-of-way laws and whether they are breaking them, according to legislation passed by the Senate today, said the measure's sponsor, state Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell.  [more]

SENATE REPEALS THE SERVICE TAX AND REDUCES THE OVERALL TAX BURDEN ON BUSINESSES The state Senate today repealed the expanded tax on services, after hearing from businesses across the state the past several weeks regarding the devastation the tax would bring to Michigan jobs and the economy.  [more]

SENATE REPEALS SALES TAX ON SERVICES Legislation approved by the Michigan Senate today signals a move toward repealing the expanded sales tax on services.  [more]

GARCIA PUSHES TO REFORM STATE GOVERNMENT Votes to lower state officers' pay and restructure its health care system  [more]

GARCIA'S "COMPANION ANIMAL WELFARE FUND" BILL HEADS TO GOVERNOR Legislation designed to promote proper care of animals and reduce stray pets passed the state House of Representatives today, announced the measure's sponsor, Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell.  [more]

GARCIA BILL STRENGTHENING MILITARY FAMILY BONDS PASSES SENATE The Senate today approved legislation directing schools to excuse a child's absence that occurred due to a parent or legal guardian being deployed or returning home from active duty, said Sen. Valde Garcia, R, Howell. Garcia sponsored the legislation and serves as a colonel in the Michigan Army National Guard.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA UNVEILS PLAN TO HELP FIGHT TERROR A legislative package requiring state funds be divested from companies engaging in business with terrorist countries was unveiled by a bipartisan group of state senators at the Capitol Tuesday, said state Sen. Valde Garcia, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police And Military Affairs.  [more]

SENATE PASSES PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS REFORM PACKAGE The Senate today passed legislation aimed at saving local governments and school districts money on the cost of public employee health benefits by developing optional health care pools and opening the process to competition.  [more]

MILEAGE RESTRICTIONS FOR MICHIGAN STATE POLICE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES LIFTED State Sen. Valde Garcia, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police and Veterans Affairs, said he is pleased with the announcement that Michigan State Police (MSP) enforcement members will no longer be subject to a 72-mile-per-shift patrol restriction and will be able to return to their normal routines.  [more]

LAWMAKERS PASS HISTORIC PLAN TO REPLACE THE SBT After a conference committee hearing and late Senate and House sessions, lawmakers today passed a historic agreement to replace Michigan's expiring business tax, keeping much of the Senate Republicans' original plan and modifying parts of the plans offered by the governor and House Democrats.  [more]

SEN. GARCIA: A GIANT STEP TOWARD RESOLVING THE STATE'S FISCAL YEAR 2007 BUDGET DEFICIT "Senate Republicans stayed true to our principles and kept our commitment to resolving the 2007 budget first. We continue to work with the House and the administration to finish the job, and tonight's action represents a giant step forward in the process toward a balanced budget."  [more]

MICHIGAN SENATE HOLDS MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE The Michigan Senate held the 13th Annual Memorial Day Service in the Senate chambers today, said state Sen. Valde Garcia, who presided over the event.  [more]

GARCIA BILL PROVIDING CONSUMER PROTECTION FROM HOUSEHOLD MOVERS PASSES THE SENATE Legislation to protect Michigan residents from fraudulent or poor business practices of moving companies passed the Senate today, said bill sponsor Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell.  [more]

SENATE REPUBLICANS REJECT GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER AND SEEK BETTER ALTERNATIVE State Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, and the Senate Appropriations Committee today voted to disapprove the governor’s first executive order of 2007, which embraced tax increases to balance the state’s budget.  [more]

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BISHOP AND SENATOR GARCIA ANNOUNCE "BEST" PLAN Business and Economic Stimulus Tax (BEST) to stimulate economic growth and cut the taxes of job providers by nearly $300 million  [more]

VALDE GARCIA SWORN IN AS SENATOR FOR 22ND DISTRICT Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, was part of today’s swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol with Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor administering the oath of office.  [more]

 RSS feed View news archive.