REPRESENTATIVE TOM MEYER

You may not realize it, but tourism is Michigan's second largest industry, with revenue of about $16 billion annually. This industry creates many jobs for Michigan residents while generating much-needed revenue to help our state pay for essential programs and services.

I am happy to report that legislation that recently became law will help our growing tourism industry by requiring all public schools to start classes after Labor Day. School districts with bargaining agreements in effect that would conflict with the new requirement would not be subject to the later date until after the agreement expires.

The peak of the summer tourism season occurs in July and August, but reportedly there is a sharp drop-off in travel and tourism during the last two weeks of August.

Supporters of the tourism industry believe that the trend toward earlier start dates for schools is responsible for this decline, and that requiring all schools to begin after Labor Day would lengthen the tourist season and increase revenue for tourism-related industries. Currently, each local school district determines its own calendar, and over half of Michigan's public school districts begin the school year before Labor Day.

According to a statewide survey conducted this past summer, 63 percent of the respondents support a requirement that all school districts in Michigan begin school after Labor Day. In addition, increased tourism generated by the law would help stimulate the state economy and generate additional tax revenue. That increased revenue could go in part toward improving schools.

In other tourism news, a bipartisan Michigan House subcommittee is currently researching Michigan tourism promotion and developing recommendations to expand the industry's contribution to the state's economy.

Tourism is one of Michigan's top assets that can be a stable source of jobs and revenue for communities. We must encourage opportunities in the industry so they can succeed and grow.

During the next several months the subcommittee will meet with tourism leaders in the state to hear what is being done right and what can be done better. By using their input with what we find other states are having success with, we can make sure that Michigan's tourism is headed in the right direction, and that the industry is getting the support it needs to continue into the 21st century.

Another key way to maintain tourism is to protect our lakes and rivers. The House this summer approved legislation that will protect our Great Lakes and waterways from non-native and invasive plants.

This is a seven-bill initiative that identifies and prohibits nuisance insect and aquatic plant species; prohibits introduction of genetically engineered aquatic plants or non-native aquatic plants; requires the Department of Natural Resources to post invasive plant species information on its website; and establishes a non-native species advisory council.

We definitely need to protect the Great Lakes; they are one of our biggest assets in Michigan. Keeping invasive plant species from taking over and driving out our native species will ensure that future generations can enjoy our woods and waters.

To further the goals of Michigan sportsmen, lawmakers from a variety of states were unanimous in their recent endorsement of a resolution calling for the creation of a National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucus.

Starting the sportsmen's caucus in Michigan was a positive step toward conservation and preservation of our outdoor traditions and heritage. Establishing a caucus at the national level will help coordinate the efforts being made at the state level, and encourage more state caucuses to form.

The national caucus will provide organizational and financial support to assist in the creation of new state sportsmen's caucuses and help enhance communication and cooperation between existing caucuses.

More than 2,700 hunting and fishing related bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year. The caucuses have worked to restore a dove hunting season here in Michigan, allow Sunday deer hunting in Maryland, protect hunter and angler access to state lands, and more.

If you have any questions, please call me toll free at 888-254-5284.