e-Newsletter, July 28, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
House Bill 5203: Alleviate voting barriers for members of the armed services.
This bill would expand methods for members of the armed services to submit absentee voter ballots and register to vote by using the federal postcard application.
Senate Bill 683: Protect students’ civil rights.
My legislation would prohibit any person employed or contracted by a public school from conducting a strip search or cavity search of a student. It would also prohibit the removing or arranging of any student’s clothing in order to conduct a visual inspection of the student.
Senate Bill 681: Educate individuals on HIV tests.
This legislation would require a physician who orders an HIV test or a health facility that performs an HIV test to provide counseling and distribute a pamphlet describing the purpose and nature of the test and other information considered necessary or relevant by the department.
RECENTLY PASSED LEGISLATION
Senate Bill 48: Require every U.S. and state flag be made in the United States.
This bill amends current law to require every U.S. and state flag displayed on a building owned or entirely leased or operated by this state or sold by any state agency be made in the United States.
Senate Bill 462: Regulate mortgage loan officers.
This bill would create the "Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act" to prohibit an individual from giving out loans without obtaining and maintaining a license; require a licensed mortgage loan originator to complete annual education requirements; and prohibit licensees from engaging in fraud, intentionally failing to provide borrowers with material disclosures, and making a false advertisement regarding mortgage loans.
Senate Bill 528: Protect health care patients in Michigan.
This bill prohibits a health care provider from knowingly reusing, recycling for reuse, or refurbishing for reuse a single-use medical device. A health care provider may reuse a single-use device that has been reprocessed by an entity registered and regulated by the FDA.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT A BILL TO PROHIBIT POLICE DEPARTMENTS FROM USING QUOTAS IN ISSUING TICKETS FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS?
I invite you to visit my website and participate in my current survey question on whether you support this proposal. I welcome you to click on the link below and share your thoughts on my current survey.
http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson
It is extremely important for me to hear what you think about issues before the Michigan Legislature. I regularly post a new survey question on my website to receive your input on some of the issues facing our state. Most recently, I asked readers whether they would support a bill to prohibit a school employee from conducting a ‘strip search’ on a student. Voters responded with 81% in favor of the proposal, 14% opposed, and 5% undecided.
REDFORD TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY RECEIVE GRANTS TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently announced that the state has awarded more than $41 million to 93 different state, county and local agencies to help local communities bolster law enforcement activities and create or retain jobs. The funding is made possible by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). These funds are to be used to support all aspects of the criminal justice system, including multi-jurisdictional task forces; crime prevention and domestic violence programs; and courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives.
Redford Township received $381,295 for the Police Department to replace the existing analog VHF two-way radio system with a Michigan Public Safety Communication System.
The grants Wayne County received include:
- Wayne County Sheriff's Department: $1,011,961 to board up open and dangerous buildings, remove debris, and other improvement efforts; provide funding for infrastructure capacity improvements, upgrades and technical services to service the Southern Michigan Information Alliance; and provide for the data transformation, connectivity, and licensing of a crime information database, and software tools for public safety agencies.
- Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney: $921,888 to establish the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Community Prosecution Program which will help to reduce violent crime in the city of Detroit. Seven full-time community prosecutors will be assigned to each Detroit Police District or Precinct.
- Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court: $1,022,436 will allow the 3rd Circuit juvenile drug court program to continue services when current program funding ends this fiscal year.
- Wayne State University: $636,899 will go toward the Department of Public Safety and the Police Department to implement a COMPSTAT initiative to enhance the safety of Midtown Detroit through data-driven, problem-oriented policing.
- Wayne Country Metro Airport Police Division: $12,000 to improve the effectiveness of the Airport Special Investigation Unit with the implementation of a covert video surveillance system.
SENATE DEMOCRATS FIGHT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDING
Senate Democrats recently fought to restore almost $54 million in funding to early childhood programs and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) in the state’s Department of Human Services budget. Restoring these funds would help the state avoid severe cuts to child care, before and after school programs, and early childhood education programs. In addition to the lost opportunity for securing federal stimulus dollars, these cuts would also jeopardize another $200 million in federal funding that our state can’t afford to lose.
According to the ECIC, each dollar invested in early childhood programs reaps anywhere from $2 to $7 in economic benefits for the state. The ECIC also released a poll showing that three-quarters of Michigan voters want early childhood development and education programs protected from such cuts. Voters also consider it “extremely” or “very” important to spare Michigan’s youngest learners and their parents from the budget wrangling in Lansing. Similarly, 83% of those polled think early childhood development and education is “an absolute necessity” for their community, including 69% who strongly believe that.
HOUSE BILL PACKAGE TO TARGET DENIALS OF INSURANCE CLAIMS
Democrats in the Michigan House are sponsoring a 12-bill package aimed at stopping insurers from denying or delaying legitimate claims. The legislation would:
- Subject insurers to a $1 million fine if they do not settle claims in a timely manner more than once.
- Require insurers to pay attorney fees to policyholders who recover overdue insurance benefits.
- Force insurers to pay three times the amount of benefits withheld if the insurers acted in "bad faith."
- Make it a felony for chief executives of insurance companies to foster or encourage the wrongful delay or denial of legitimate claims. The executive could get up to four years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
- Protect insurance workers who blow the whistle on companies wrongfully denying claims.
- Require insurers to repair a consumer's credit rating if it has been hurt because of a denied or delayed claim.
Michigan is one of only four states that doesn't protect its consumers from some of the most outrageous practices in the home, auto and health care insurance industries—wrongful denial. Wrongful denial consists of tactics that insurance companies use to delay or deny legitimate property, auto or health care claims at the expense of the consumer. I have introduced and been fighting for similar legislation in the Senate throughout my legislative career. We need to make sure companies are honoring their promise to be there for consumers in their time of need, not forcing Michigan families into bankruptcy and even foreclosure just to care for the people they love.
Visit the House Democrats’ website to sign their petition to hold insurance companies accountable: http://www.housedems.com/wrongful-denial/.
MICHIGAN’S AUTO INDUSTRY TO LEAD GREEN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Governor Jennifer Granholm recently addressed Michigan’s auto industry and how they are helping lead a green industrial revolution in Michigan despite undergoing difficult and painful restructuring right now. With General Motors investing up to $700 million to build its future small cars at its plants in Orion Township and Pontiac, they will preserve more than 1,400 jobs.
Ford Motor Company was also awarded almost $6 billion in advanced technology loans by the Obama Administration. These funds will help Ford retool its plants to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford has also accelerated its development of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to add to its lineup of traditional hybrids, which run on either gas or electricity. Chrysler will also have at least one electric vehicle in its model lineup for next year and at least three more electric models by 2013. From advanced batteries to electric vehicles to more recycled content in car interiors, the new automotive industry will play a vital role in Michigan's green economy.
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS COBO BILLS
Governor Granholm recently signed into law a package of legislation that should clear the way for Detroit's Cobo Center to remain the home of the North American International Auto Show. The measures will allow for a regional authority to lease the convention center in downtown in order to expand and improve the facility. Officials with the auto show had warned that if changes were not made to the center, they could move the show to Chicago, Los Angeles or another city. The auto show is responsible for as much as $500 million in economic activity annually.
The City of Detroit has until August 1 to reject the state expansion plan. A similar plan was rejected by the Detroit City Council in February, but unlike that proposal, the new one gives Mayor Dave Bing the power to veto a council rejection. If Detroit did reject the plan, the new legislation would allow Oakland County to use tax dollars to pay for an alternate convention site to house the international auto show.
REMEMBER TO VOTE AUGUST 4
Remember to cast your ballot in the Tuesday, August 4th primary election. To find out more about elections in our community, visit the Secretary of State website at www.Michigan.gov/sos. The Michigan Voter Information Center is another helpful resource. It helps you determine whether you’re registered to vote and it will direct you to your polling location. The website is www.Michigan.gov/vote, or check with your county clerk’s office.
Voters who need to have their absentee ballot mailed to them must apply no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 1st. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. on Monday, August 3rd.
Please remember that Michigan has a voter identification requirement. You will be asked to present photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver’s license or identification card. If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID or didn’t bring it with you, you can still vote. You will just need to sign a brief affidavit stating that you’re not in possession of a photo ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.
COFFEE HOURS IN WESTLAND AND REDFORD TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 10th
On Monday, August 10th, I will be hosting coffee hours in Westland and Redford Township, and you’re invited to attend:
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
William P. Faust Public Library
6123 Central City Pkwy.,
Westland, MI
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Redford Community Center
12121 Hemingway
Redford, MI
