State Sen. Roger Victory has introduced legislation to support efforts by nonprofit organizations to make homeownership attainable for individuals and families.
“In my district alone, we face a shortage of over 5,000 for-sale housing units for individuals earning between 80 precent to 120 percent of the area median income,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville.
“These individuals include teachers, nurses, first responders and many others who are unable to plant roots in Michigan due to high housing costs.
“Michigan’s population is declining. Making homeownership more attainable can reverse that trend. This bill would allow us to compete with our counterparts across the Midwest, make homeownership more attainable for young professionals in our state and retain our homegrown talent.”
Currently, nonprofits that build low-income housing receive a property tax exemption for the lesser of five years or until transfer of ownership. Senate Bill 442 would allow nonprofits that build housing developments serving the missing middle to receive the same exemption. The property tax burden remains a significant barrier for nonprofits actively working to provide these housing options.
“I strongly believe that we must bridge the gap between low-income housing and market-rate developments by providing attainable homes for working-class individuals, young professionals and families,” Victory said. “Extending property tax exemptions to include these nonprofits will accelerate the development of attainable housing and create more sustainable communities across our state.”
Victory’s bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services.
“In my district alone, we face a shortage of over 5,000 for-sale housing units for individuals earning between 80 precent to 120 percent of the area median income,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville.
“These individuals include teachers, nurses, first responders and many others who are unable to plant roots in Michigan due to high housing costs.
“Michigan’s population is declining. Making homeownership more attainable can reverse that trend. This bill would allow us to compete with our counterparts across the Midwest, make homeownership more attainable for young professionals in our state and retain our homegrown talent.”
Currently, nonprofits that build low-income housing receive a property tax exemption for the lesser of five years or until transfer of ownership. Senate Bill 442 would allow nonprofits that build housing developments serving the missing middle to receive the same exemption. The property tax burden remains a significant barrier for nonprofits actively working to provide these housing options.
“I strongly believe that we must bridge the gap between low-income housing and market-rate developments by providing attainable homes for working-class individuals, young professionals and families,” Victory said. “Extending property tax exemptions to include these nonprofits will accelerate the development of attainable housing and create more sustainable communities across our state.”
Victory’s bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services.
Farm Bureau: Cost of Cookout Nearly Unchanged
Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday continue to find high prices at the grocery store, based on the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey. An Independence Day cookout will cost $70.92 for 10 guests this year.
This is down only 30 cents from last year’s record-high cost. At $7.09 per person, 2025 will be the second-highest cost since Farm Bureau began the survey in 2013. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
While the cost held near historic highs, Michigan Farm Bureau Lead Economist Loren Koeman emphasized that Americans still have one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, spending a smaller percentage of their income on food than any other country. He also noted that high food prices don't mean more money for farmers.
“Just like consumers, farmers are price takers – not price makers,” Koeman said. “Farmers receive just 15.9 cents from every dollar spent at the grocery store, but the costs associated with running their farms have only increased, contributing to the loss of more than 160,000 American farms in the last seven years.”
The marketbasket survey shows an increase in the cost of beef, potato salad and canned pork and beans, while there are drops in the cost of pork chops, chips and hamburger buns.
The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef increased 4.4 percent to $13.33, while pork and beans will cost $2.69, up 20 cents from 2024 as steel and aluminum tariffs have increased prices on canned goods. Potato salad is also up 6.6 percent to $3.54, due mostly to the rising cost of eggs.
The survey found a reduction in cost for six cookout staples, including a 3-pound package of pork chops, which is down 8.8 percent from last year, at $14.13.
Chips average $4.80 a bag, a dime less than 2024. Hamburger buns are 2.6 percent less expensive, at $2.35. The amount of pork available to stores is up, which is pushing prices down. The demand for potatoes has eased, helping bring down the cost of chips. Wheat prices are still much lower than record highs of three years ago, contributing to the slight decrease in the cost of buns.
“We can celebrate America’s independence every year in part because of the hard work of the farmers and ranchers who contribute to the nation’s food independence," American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said.
“Farmers are dedicated to doing the right thing, and their commitment to sustainable and innovative farming practices ensures a safe and abundant food supply for every family in America.”
The federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for food at home shows an overall increase of 2.2 percent compared to a year ago. Farm Bureau’s informal marketbasket survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.
Individual prices:
• 2 pounds of ground beef, $13.33 (+4.4%)
• 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.79 (-0.5%)
• 3 pounds of pork chops, $14.13 (-8.8%)
• 1 pound of cheese, $3.54 (-0.9%)
• 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.35 (-2.6%)
• 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.54 (+6.6%)
• 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.69 (+8.2%)
• 16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.80 (-2.1%)
• 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $4.00 (+0.3%)
• ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.69 (+0.7%)
• 2 pints of strawberries, $4.69 (+1.7%)
• 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.37 (+4.2%)
This is down only 30 cents from last year’s record-high cost. At $7.09 per person, 2025 will be the second-highest cost since Farm Bureau began the survey in 2013. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
While the cost held near historic highs, Michigan Farm Bureau Lead Economist Loren Koeman emphasized that Americans still have one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, spending a smaller percentage of their income on food than any other country. He also noted that high food prices don't mean more money for farmers.
“Just like consumers, farmers are price takers – not price makers,” Koeman said. “Farmers receive just 15.9 cents from every dollar spent at the grocery store, but the costs associated with running their farms have only increased, contributing to the loss of more than 160,000 American farms in the last seven years.”
The marketbasket survey shows an increase in the cost of beef, potato salad and canned pork and beans, while there are drops in the cost of pork chops, chips and hamburger buns.
The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef increased 4.4 percent to $13.33, while pork and beans will cost $2.69, up 20 cents from 2024 as steel and aluminum tariffs have increased prices on canned goods. Potato salad is also up 6.6 percent to $3.54, due mostly to the rising cost of eggs.
The survey found a reduction in cost for six cookout staples, including a 3-pound package of pork chops, which is down 8.8 percent from last year, at $14.13.
Chips average $4.80 a bag, a dime less than 2024. Hamburger buns are 2.6 percent less expensive, at $2.35. The amount of pork available to stores is up, which is pushing prices down. The demand for potatoes has eased, helping bring down the cost of chips. Wheat prices are still much lower than record highs of three years ago, contributing to the slight decrease in the cost of buns.
“We can celebrate America’s independence every year in part because of the hard work of the farmers and ranchers who contribute to the nation’s food independence," American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said.
“Farmers are dedicated to doing the right thing, and their commitment to sustainable and innovative farming practices ensures a safe and abundant food supply for every family in America.”
The federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for food at home shows an overall increase of 2.2 percent compared to a year ago. Farm Bureau’s informal marketbasket survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.
Individual prices:
• 2 pounds of ground beef, $13.33 (+4.4%)
• 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.79 (-0.5%)
• 3 pounds of pork chops, $14.13 (-8.8%)
• 1 pound of cheese, $3.54 (-0.9%)
• 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.35 (-2.6%)
• 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.54 (+6.6%)
• 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.69 (+8.2%)
• 16-ounce bag of potato chips, $4.80 (-2.1%)
• 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $4.00 (+0.3%)
• ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.69 (+0.7%)
• 2 pints of strawberries, $4.69 (+1.7%)
• 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.37 (+4.2%)
Police Stepping Up Speed Enforcement This Month
Exceeding the speed limit is more than just breaking traffic laws. It represents dangerous behavior that threatens the safety of everyone on the road. Driving at high speeds with impatience or carelessness not only puts the vehicle’s occupants at risk but also endangers pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.
Data indicates that speed enforcement and public education efforts are yielding positive results in Michigan. To further encourage safer driving this summer, the Michigan State Police, as well as officers from city and county police departments across the state, will be conducting dedicated speed enforcement during the month of July.
In 2023, the state recorded 21,357 speed-involved crashes, reflecting a 20 percent decrease from the 26,700 speed-involved crashes reported in 2022 – and a 32 percent decrease since 2019 (31,421 crashes), according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
“Some may fixate on the cost of a ticket, but the real concerns are the number of lives put in danger and the countless crashes that could be prevented if drivers chose to slow down,” said Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “While we are encouraged by the progress shown in the data, we hope that this dedicated speed-enforcement effort will help curb the reckless behavior of hurried drivers this summer.”
In Michigan, in 2023, a review of speed-involved data found:
• Single motor vehicle crashes accounted for 72.2 percent of all speed-involved crashes.
• Excessive speed was a factor in 210 fatalities (19.2 percent of all fatalities) and 6,848 injuries (9.6 percent of all injuries) in motor vehicle crashes.
• The 210 speed-involved fatalities were a 5.8 percent decrease from the 223 fatalities in 2022.
“Even though speed-related crashes and fatalities are down, there are still too many drivers who put everyone at risk by speeding and driving recklessly,” Sledge said. “We are asking every Michigander to make an effort this summer to slow down.”
The July speed enforcement campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the OHSP.
For more information about speeding and the July speed enforcement, please visit OHSP’s speeding page.
Data indicates that speed enforcement and public education efforts are yielding positive results in Michigan. To further encourage safer driving this summer, the Michigan State Police, as well as officers from city and county police departments across the state, will be conducting dedicated speed enforcement during the month of July.
In 2023, the state recorded 21,357 speed-involved crashes, reflecting a 20 percent decrease from the 26,700 speed-involved crashes reported in 2022 – and a 32 percent decrease since 2019 (31,421 crashes), according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
“Some may fixate on the cost of a ticket, but the real concerns are the number of lives put in danger and the countless crashes that could be prevented if drivers chose to slow down,” said Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “While we are encouraged by the progress shown in the data, we hope that this dedicated speed-enforcement effort will help curb the reckless behavior of hurried drivers this summer.”
In Michigan, in 2023, a review of speed-involved data found:
• Single motor vehicle crashes accounted for 72.2 percent of all speed-involved crashes.
• Excessive speed was a factor in 210 fatalities (19.2 percent of all fatalities) and 6,848 injuries (9.6 percent of all injuries) in motor vehicle crashes.
• The 210 speed-involved fatalities were a 5.8 percent decrease from the 223 fatalities in 2022.
“Even though speed-related crashes and fatalities are down, there are still too many drivers who put everyone at risk by speeding and driving recklessly,” Sledge said. “We are asking every Michigander to make an effort this summer to slow down.”
The July speed enforcement campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the OHSP.
For more information about speeding and the July speed enforcement, please visit OHSP’s speeding page.
MSU Researchers Explore Viability of Agriculture, Solar Power Together
By Cameron Rudolph
Michigan State University
Michigan State University researchers and MSU Extension educators are evaluating the potential of agrivoltaics — which combines agricultural operations with solar energy production — in Michigan.
Agrivoltaics systems place solar panels directly in the field, either arranged several feet above agricultural activities or in rows to allow for crops or animals to be between them. The goal is to continue producing an agricultural commodity while gaining another revenue source for the farm through solar energy.
Proponents of agrivoltaics tout the dual use of agricultural land, which can allow for plant and animal agriculture operations to coexist with solar energy production and the ability to use such energy on the farm.
Benefits to soil and water are being studied around the world, possibly pointing to less water evaporation that leads to more efficient water use. Solar arrays can also promote habitat for pollinators.
However, application of solar energy projects on agricultural land is not without controversy. Opponents have introduced concerns about the removal of valuable farmland — a finite resource — from agricultural production, along with inflation of farmland prices through federal subsidies that allow energy companies to offer well over fair market value to farmers. The upfront costs of installing complex solar systems can also be a limiting factor.
Additional questions have been raised about food safety with crops grown under solar panels. When the panels are disassembled, small fragments of metal and plastic may contaminate the soil. Members of the Potato Growers of Michigan have cited this possibility as a particular concern for their crop, which is grown underground and can readily take in these objects.
Furthermore, the compatibility of agrivoltaics with Michigan’s wide range of agricultural commodities, as well as the state’s unique growing environments, is not well-studied.
George Smith, director of MSU AgBioResearch, says this information is critical to helping growers and producers make informed decisions.
“The role of MSU research and outreach is to pursue science-based recommendations for our growers and producers,” Smith said. “Our priorities are driven by the agricultural industries that rely on research, and we’re taking into account important factors such as economic viability, food safety and protecting our natural resources, among many others.
“Agrivoltaics systems are a complex issue that needs to be evaluated further, and we’re dedicated to providing the necessary information to Michigan’s agriculture stakeholders so they can make the best decisions for their industries.”
Michigan State University
Michigan State University researchers and MSU Extension educators are evaluating the potential of agrivoltaics — which combines agricultural operations with solar energy production — in Michigan.
Agrivoltaics systems place solar panels directly in the field, either arranged several feet above agricultural activities or in rows to allow for crops or animals to be between them. The goal is to continue producing an agricultural commodity while gaining another revenue source for the farm through solar energy.
Proponents of agrivoltaics tout the dual use of agricultural land, which can allow for plant and animal agriculture operations to coexist with solar energy production and the ability to use such energy on the farm.
Benefits to soil and water are being studied around the world, possibly pointing to less water evaporation that leads to more efficient water use. Solar arrays can also promote habitat for pollinators.
However, application of solar energy projects on agricultural land is not without controversy. Opponents have introduced concerns about the removal of valuable farmland — a finite resource — from agricultural production, along with inflation of farmland prices through federal subsidies that allow energy companies to offer well over fair market value to farmers. The upfront costs of installing complex solar systems can also be a limiting factor.
Additional questions have been raised about food safety with crops grown under solar panels. When the panels are disassembled, small fragments of metal and plastic may contaminate the soil. Members of the Potato Growers of Michigan have cited this possibility as a particular concern for their crop, which is grown underground and can readily take in these objects.
Furthermore, the compatibility of agrivoltaics with Michigan’s wide range of agricultural commodities, as well as the state’s unique growing environments, is not well-studied.
George Smith, director of MSU AgBioResearch, says this information is critical to helping growers and producers make informed decisions.
“The role of MSU research and outreach is to pursue science-based recommendations for our growers and producers,” Smith said. “Our priorities are driven by the agricultural industries that rely on research, and we’re taking into account important factors such as economic viability, food safety and protecting our natural resources, among many others.
“Agrivoltaics systems are a complex issue that needs to be evaluated further, and we’re dedicated to providing the necessary information to Michigan’s agriculture stakeholders so they can make the best decisions for their industries.”
Welcome Center Hosts National Work Zone Memorial
For the fourth year in a row, the Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Clare Welcome Center along U.S. 127 will host the National Work Zone Memorial over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
This special memorial honors the lives of more than 1,600 road workers, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, public safety officials and children who have been killed in work zone crashes throughout the United States.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of slowing down, avoiding distractions and paying careful attention to the road in work zones,” State Transportation Director Bradley Wieferich said.
“Crews in these zones are working hard to get these important jobs done and want to make it home safely each day to be with their families. Let’s not add another name to the memorial because of another tragedy in a work zone.”
Nearly 2.6 million Michiganders are expected to travel during the Fourth of July week, continuing a busy summer travel season. As summer travel picks up, drivers will see more road work and orange barrels across Michigan. After years of underinvestment, long-needed improvements to roads and bridges are finally happening. MDOT urges motorists to stay alert, slow down and drive safely, especially near work zones.
Work zone safety remains a top priority for MDOT for workers, drivers and their passengers, and all road users. In 2024, Michigan saw 16 work zone fatalities, 1,065 injuries, and nearly 6,100 crashes. Nationally, an estimated 890 people were killed in work zones.
Unveiled in 2002 by the American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation, the National Work Zone Memorial is a living tribute to the memory of the lives lost in work zones. As the memorial travels throughout the United States, it raises awareness for work zone safety and safe driving practices by displaying the names of those killed in work zone crashes.
The memorial is 20 feet wide and stands 7 feet tall and is available to anyone interested in increasing work zone safety awareness. A new virtual memorial is also available to use at no cost.
This special memorial honors the lives of more than 1,600 road workers, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, public safety officials and children who have been killed in work zone crashes throughout the United States.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of slowing down, avoiding distractions and paying careful attention to the road in work zones,” State Transportation Director Bradley Wieferich said.
“Crews in these zones are working hard to get these important jobs done and want to make it home safely each day to be with their families. Let’s not add another name to the memorial because of another tragedy in a work zone.”
Nearly 2.6 million Michiganders are expected to travel during the Fourth of July week, continuing a busy summer travel season. As summer travel picks up, drivers will see more road work and orange barrels across Michigan. After years of underinvestment, long-needed improvements to roads and bridges are finally happening. MDOT urges motorists to stay alert, slow down and drive safely, especially near work zones.
Work zone safety remains a top priority for MDOT for workers, drivers and their passengers, and all road users. In 2024, Michigan saw 16 work zone fatalities, 1,065 injuries, and nearly 6,100 crashes. Nationally, an estimated 890 people were killed in work zones.
Unveiled in 2002 by the American Traffic Safety Services (ATSS) Foundation, the National Work Zone Memorial is a living tribute to the memory of the lives lost in work zones. As the memorial travels throughout the United States, it raises awareness for work zone safety and safe driving practices by displaying the names of those killed in work zone crashes.
The memorial is 20 feet wide and stands 7 feet tall and is available to anyone interested in increasing work zone safety awareness. A new virtual memorial is also available to use at no cost.
