Michigan State Senator Tom Casperson

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Roy and Julie Hinkson of Manistique to the state Capitol on Thursday for the Michigan Senate's 23rd Annual Memorial Day Service, which honored Michigan's fallen soldiers. Roy Hinkson served in the U.S. Army. While serving in Vietnam, Roy was shot 13 times and was awarded a Purple Heart.

The Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee hears testimony on Wednesday, March 15 from Roy and Julie Hinkson of Manistique regarding their land dispute with the U.S. Forest Service.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, pictured right, welcomed Pastor Kevin McIlhany, of the Cross Bridge Church in Ishpeming to the state Senate on Wednesday. Pastor McIlhany delivered the invocation before the day's legislative session.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed students and faculty from Bay College, located in Escanaba, to the Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, pictured left, welcomed his uncle, Marvin Casperson, of Wilson, Mich, to Gov. Rick Snyder's 2017 State of the State address Tuesday night. Casperson joined the senator on the floor of the House of Representatives for the speech.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (second left) joined Gov. Rick Snyder, Brian Swift (far left), Patti Dringoli (far right), and Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, (second right) for a special bill-signing ceremony at the Capitol on Tuesday. Senate Bill 434, now Public Act 243 of 2016, is known as the Barbara J. and Thomas J. Swift law, named after the Escanaba couple who inspired the bill.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, on Tuesday welcomed Boy Scouts from Escanaba's Troop 411 to the state Senate. Eleven Scouts from Troop 411 were in Lansing to tour the Capitol to learn more about state government for advancement. They visited the Senate and House and sat in on a House Natural Resources Committee hearing and state Waterways Commission meeting. Pictured with Casperson are the troop's Senior Patrol Leader Nick LeClaire (left) and Assistance Senior Patrol Leader Brayden Lundquist (center).

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Bob Blevins, of Engadine, to the state Capitol on Thursday for the Michigan Senate's 22nd Annual Memorial Day Service. Blevins is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, today welcomed former 108th District State Rep. Doug Bovin and officials from Alger County to the state Capitol. Pictured are, from left, Bovin, Alger County Commissioner Catherine Pullen, Alger County Treasurer Pam Johnson, Alger County Clerk Mary Ann Froberg, Au Train Township Trustee Michelle Doucette, Alger County Commissioner and Michigan Association of Counties President Jerry Doucette, and Casperson.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Jed Gagnier of Escanaba to the state Capitol on Thursday. Gagnier serves as the vice-president of the Escanaba Area Public Schools board of education. He is a 2012 graduate of Escanaba High School and currently attends Northern Michigan University pursuing a degree in public administration/political science.

State Sen. Tom Casperson , R-Escanaba, celebrated an Upper Peninsula icon - the pasty - with Senate colleagues on Wednesday. Casperson treated senators and staff to pasties from Escanaba-based Dobbers Pasties in honor of Pasty Day, which was Sunday, Dec. 6. Casperson (far right) is pictured with, from left, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Sens. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, and Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Brian Swift, originally from Escanaba, to the state Capitol last week to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Swift joined Casperson to speak in favor of Senate Bill 434, which would create a pilot program for the Michigan State Police to implement in three state counties to allow law enforcement to conduct field sobriety tests on motorists suspected of driving under the influence of controlled substances, like marijuana.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Brian Swift, originally from Escanaba, to the state Capitol last week to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Swift joined Casperson to speak in favor of Senate Bill 434, which would create a pilot program for the Michigan State Police to implement in three state counties to allow law enforcement to conduct field sobriety tests on motorists suspected of driving under the influence of controlled substances, like marijuana.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (far right) is pictured with, from left, state Rep. Scott Dianda; Breitung Township Supervisor Denny Olsen and his wife, Carmel; Dianda's father, Jim Spehar; and Jim Matonich at the "Michigan Says Thanks" event honoring veterans of the Vietnam War era at the Capitol on Thursday.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed his uncle, Donald Casperson, to the state Capitol for the Michigan Senate's 21st Annual Memorial Day Service, which honors Michigan residents killed in action during the previous 12 months. Donald Casperson is a veteran of the U.S. Army, and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis from 1961-63.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed the U.P. Ambassadors, with members from Houghton, Marquette, Dickinson and Delta counties, to his Lansing office Tuesday. The U.P. Ambassadors are a group of business, education, community and government leaders from across the Upper Peninsula with a mission to promote and foster economic vitality and carry the U.P. story to others.

State Sens. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, and Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (right) stand with Gov. Rick Snyder (seated) after he signed into law Senate Bills 54 and 55, now Public Acts 12 and 13 of 2015. The laws outlaw the use of certain unmanned aerial or submersible vehicles to harass or stalk hunters or anglers and ensure that such vehicles can't be used to take game.

LANSING, Mich.-Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed pastor David Grant (right) and his wife Bonnie Grant (center) from Escanaba Church of Christ in Escanaba to the Michigan Senate Wednesday. Grant delivered the invocation before Senate session.

LANSING-State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed the North Central High School Jets boys basketball team from Powers, Michigan to the Capitol on Thursday. The Jets were in Lansing to play in the MHSAA Class D state semifinals game at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Jets went on to win the Class D state championship game on Saturday, their first state title since 1984.

Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (left) looks on as Troy Henderson, a historian with the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee, gives testimony on the history of mining in Michigan via videoconference on Wednesday in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, poses for a photo with members of the Houghton Middle School EcoChallenge team on the floor of the Senate chamber Wednesday. The students were in Lansing to give a presentation to the Senate Natural Resources Committee, which Casperson chairs, about invasive plant species.

The Marquette County Road Commission testifies in the joint Senate Transportation and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Tuesday in Lansing.

The Marquette County Road Commission testifies in the joint Senate Transportation and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Tuesday in Lansing.

Gov. Rick Snyder received an embroidered vest last month from Denny Olsen (right) of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba (center). Olsen presented the Stormy Kromer vest embroidered with the state's annual Christmas tree to Snyder on behalf of Gina Jacquart Thorsen, the company's vice president.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes Gary Benjamin (left) and Joe Basso to the Michigan Capitol before Gov. Rick Snyder's 2015 State of the State address.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (center-right) is flanked by Gov. Rick Snyder and Steve Parks, Delta County prosecutor, (right) whose 11 year crusade got the word "Yooper" included in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Emily Brewster, the associate editor of Merriam-Webster, (left) was on hand for the presentation.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes the Rev. Randy Reed (right) and his wife Debbie to the Michigan Senate on Wednesday. Reed is the pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Negaunee. He delivered the invocation before Senate session

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes Bill and Shirley Pfeiffer from Crystal Falls to the Capitol Thursday. The Pfeiffers were given a tour of the Senate Chamber by Casperson prior to session

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Macy Niemisto, runner-up in the "In God We Trust" art contest, to Lansing Tuesday. Macy, from Marquette High School, received her award from Casperson on the Michigan Capitol steps before session.

Casperson, McBroom and Dianda listen to Marquette County Administrator Scott Eribisch (seated, left) and Ishpeming Public Works Director John Kangas (seated, right).

Casperson is joined by local officials from Delta, Marquette, Alger and Schoolcraft Counties, all of whom were in Lansing to support the need for immediate assistance to be offered to the U.P. to help contend with the crisis that is impacting infrastructure around the region.

On Tuesday, Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed several women from Escanaba who were in Lansing to testify before the Senate Transportation Committee. Annette Vanlerberghe (from left), Bonnie Champeau, Marje Heller and Carol Schiltz spoke to the committee as part of a presentation in support of "Complete Streets," a concept designed to enable safe road access for all users, including pedestrians.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes the Rev. Gregory Veneklase (right) to the Michigan Senate on Wednesday. Veneklase is the pastor at St. Agnes and St. Cecilia Catholic churches in Iron River and Caspian. He delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Casperson on Thursday welcomed 18-year-old Audrey Niemi from Ontonagon, recent victim of cyber-bullying, to the Capitol during Senate session.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes Pastor Bo Lange (left) and his wife Diane to the Michigan Senate on Wednesday

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) to the Michigan Senate on Wednesday. Present are (from left to right) Vicki Elie, Pat Boes, Marty Groleau, Casperson, Dianne Lahtinen and Frances Thennes.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes Pastor Jason Janich (right) to the Michigan Senate on Wednesday. Janich is the pastor at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Escanaba. He delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Casperson welcomed Eric Dompierre and family to the Michigan Senate Thursday.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes constituents who are part of the Developmental Disability Council to the Michigan Capitol Wednesday. The members were in Lansing for the Developmental Disability Council's Legislative Reception, which Sen. Casperson attended.

On Tuesday, Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba (speaking), announced that Michigan's ports, harbors and waterways are in dire need of protection and improvement to provide for long-term protection of both natural resources and related economic activity. Legislation on the matter is expected to be introduced soon.

Sen. Tom Casperson testifies in the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Senate Bill 49, which protects information collected from registered gun owners and concealed pistol license (CPL) holders under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Jeff Naser to the Michigan Capitol Wednesday. Naser was awarded the American Legion Department of Michigan State Economic Award for employing a large number of armed forces veterans at his business, Naser Gas and Oil in Powers.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, and Humbolt Township Supervisor Joe Derocha look on as Gov. Rick Snyder signs the "Michigan Nonferrous Metallic Minerals Extraction Severance Act" into law, sponsored by Rep. Matt Huuki, R-Atlantic Min

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Bob Jacquart, CEO of Jacquart Fabric Products of Ironwood, to the Michigan Capitol Tuesday. Jacquart was in Lansing to meet with legislators to make them aware of some innovative and advanced technology his company has developed. Pictured left to right: Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Bob Jacquart, Casperson and Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes Pastor Stephen Wilson (left) to the Michigan Senate on Wednesday. Wilson is the pastor at the Evangel Baptist Church in Houghton. He delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, testifies along with Dean Dompierre (center) and his son, Eric Dompierre (right) of Ishpeming. Today, father and son testified on behalf of Senate Resolution 145. SR 145, sponsored by Casperson, would allow an age-eligibility waiver by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) in certain, limited cases.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes the Carney-Nadeau High School basketball team to the Capitol on Thursday. Carney-Nadeau was in Lansing competing for the Division IV semi-final round of the state basketball tournament.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomes the Carney-Nadeau High School basketball team to the Capitol on Thursday. Carney-Nadeau was in Lansing competing for the Division IV semi-final round of the state basketball tournament.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (right) welcomed Pastor Steve Patrick of the Grace Church in Gladstone, MI to the Capitol on Weds, Feb. 15, 2012. Mr. Patrick began the day with the invocation.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (right) and Laurie Jasmin, director of the Schoolcraft County Economic Development Corporation (left) present PJ Stoll, plant manager of Western Lime with the Award of Excellence at the 2012 Operation Action U.P. Annual Meeting. The award recognizes outstanding businesses that have contributed to the economic well-being of the U.P.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Michigan Technological University President Glenn Mroz as his guest to Gov. Rick Snyder's State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (left) stands with Pastor John Fish (center) of the First Baptist Church in Iron River and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley on the floor of the Michigan Senate, Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Fish opened Senate session with an invocation.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore park rangers Jim Northrup (left) and Tim Colyer (right) to the floor of the Senate on Thursday. Superintendent Northrup and Chief Ranger Colyer were in town to testify in support of Caspersons Senate Bill 617, which establishes concurrent state-federal law enforcement jurisdiction on federally owned lands.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Senate Bill 580, which he sponsored. The legislation establishes Caylees Law in Michigan, establishing a felony of up to two years imprisonment for a person convicted of failing to report to law enforcement that a child in their care has gone missing.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (left) and Sen. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township, welcome Carrie Cramer, of the DeYoung Family Zoo in Wallace, Mich. and star of the Nat Geo Wild show My Life is a Zoo, to the state Capitol. Cramer traveled to Lansing to testify before the Senate Agriculture Committee in support of Senate Bill 210, which is designed to benefit Michigan zoos. The measure was approved by the Senate panel.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, pictured left, welcomed Major Bill Cox of the Salvation Army to the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Cox, of Escanaba, delivered the invocation before Senate session.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (pictured left) and outdoor advocate, rocker Ted Nugent testified in support of Senate Bill 248 during a hearing of the Senate Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee. The bill would effectively restrict the Michigan Department of Natural Resources from purchasing additional land without surrendering some of the nearly 4.6 million acres it presently owns.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed Dana and Ellen Varney from L'Anse to the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday, May 18. The Varneys were recognized by the Senate during session.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, welcomed the Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council to the Michigan Capitol. The group presented to the Senate Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (pictured back row center) welcomed guests, Pastor Mike Jackson, his wife Jenny, and their children Caleb, Kate, Sierra, Svea, Nick and Lynea to the state Capitol.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, helped welcome Super Bowl champion, Green Bay Packer Greg Jennings to the state Capitol on Thursday. Jennings, a Kalamazoo native and Western Michigan University alumnus, was recognized for his work with the Greg Jennings Foundation for Underprivileged Children and Families. Standing with Jennings are his wife Nicole with their daughter; Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker; and Casperson.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, pictured second from the right, listens to public testimony before a joint session of the Senate Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes, and the House Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation committees on Thursday, March 17.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, listens as Megan Mackowiak, captain of the Bark River-Harris High School girls basketball team, addresses the Michigan Senate on Thursday, March 17. The Lady Broncos visited the Capitol while in Lansing to compete in the MHSAA Girls Basketball Class D State Tournament.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, state Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, and the Bark River-Harris High School girls basketball team appear on the historic glass floor under the Michigan Capitol dome on Thursday, March 17. The Lady Broncos visited the Capitol while in Lansing to compete in the MHSAA Girls Basketball Class D State Tournament.

State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, addresses members of the media during a Capitol press conference introducing legislation that will reduce burdensome regulations on individuals and businesses to help create jobs and boost Michigan's economy.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley (right) welcome Pastor Robert Derheim (center) to the Michigan Senate. Derheim is pastor at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Escanaba and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, escorts Governor Rick Snyder into the House chamber for the governors first State of the State address.

Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, is sworn in by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. (left) as state senator for the 38th District. Joining Casperson on the Senate floor are his wife Diane and their family and friends.