Sen. Ken Horn

LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, announced that June office hours are scheduled for the 32nd Senate District.

Horn will be available to meet with constituents at the following date, time and location:

Monday, June 6

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Kochville Veterans Hall

3265 Kochville Road

Saginaw, MI 48604

Horn will be on hand to answer questions and respond to concerns any residents of the district may have. No appointment is necessary.

For more information or to contact Horn, please visit www.SenatorKenHorn.com or call 517-373-1760.

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LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, welcomed the family of Civil War soldier Alvah Nichols to the Michigan Capitol for the Michigan Senate’s 22nd Annual Memorial Day Service on Thursday.

Nichols was born in 1832 in the state of New York and enlisted in the 9th New York Heavy Artillery in December of 1863. During his time in the service, Nichols was involved in several well-known Civil War battles, including Harper’s Ferry, the Second Battle of Bull Run, Gettysburg, and Cold Harbor.

After having fought in 13 total battles, Nichols was honorably discharged in 1865 due to several health issues. After he was discharged, Nichols traveled to Michigan to start a new life — eventually settling in the St. Charles area where he died at the age of 82 in 1914.

Nichols is buried at the East Cemetery in St. Charles.

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Editor’s note: A print-quality photograph of Horn welcoming Thursday’s guests is available by clicking on the image or by visiting the senator’s website at: www.SenatorKenHorn.com. Click on “Photowire” under the Media Center tab.

PHOTO CAPTION ONE: Self-portrait signed by Nichols.

PHOTO CAPTION TWO: Portrait of Nichols.

PHOTO CAPTION THREE: State Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, stands for a photo on the Senate floor with his guests for the Michigan Senate’s 22nd Annual Memorial Day Service on Thursday. Pictured from left to right: Cathy Harris, Vickie Stuart, Sen. Horn, Robert Joseph Boquette, Shirley Louchart and Phyllis Hoseit.

Sen. Ken Horn

LANSING, Mich. — Legislation that would update and improve guidelines for skilled trade professions was introduced in the state Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Bills 963-972 would streamline more than 30 years’ worth of statutes to create the Skilled Trades Regulation Act (STRA) in Michigan. The state currently operates under what are considered by many to be ambiguous regulations that have been pieced together over the past three decades. These statutes lack modern language with regard to application and complaint processes and enforcement of penalties.

“Creation of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act will update and revise the relevant laws into one universal code that would ensure they meet the highest standards for enforcement and efficiency,” said Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth.

The STRA seeks to remedy several inconsistencies within the state’s skilled labor industries. By basing the law off guidelines from both the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act and the state’s Public Health Code, this legislation would create uniformity and consistency among application, renewal, and testing processes for all skilled-trade licensees.

The act also brings attention to the issue of individuals who are licensed across multiple trades. Under current law, obtaining licensure for more than one trade is often tedious due to the several varying statutes and processes that can be involved. The STRA seeks to improve this by providing a single avenue for licensure and renewal for those who are licensed in several professions.

“We want to encourage our current and upcoming generations to seek education, training and experience within the skilled trades — the modernization of these statutes will do just that,” Horn said. “Our goal is to ensure that the new act reflect the safest, most efficient, and highest standards in each respective industry and that our skilled trades applicants face minimal barriers obtaining work in their field of choice.”

The following senators are sponsors of the legislative package:

• Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth (SBs 963, 966, 970)
• Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy (SB 967)
• Peter MacGregor, R-Rockford (SB 969)
• Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton (SB 972)
• Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City (SBs 964, 965, 971)
• Dale Zorn, R-Ida (SB 968)

SBs 963-972 have been referred to the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform for consideration.

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