e-Newsletter, September 25, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
RECENTLY INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE
Senate Bill 64: Affordable family planning
This bill is aimed at protecting a woman’s access to affordable family planning services and preventing unintended pregnancies. The bill would also require insurance coverage for infertility treatments if pregnancy-related benefits are provided, and require any health facilities or agency that provides emergency care to offer information on and administer emergency contraception at the request of a rape victim.
Senate Resolution 77: Opposition to cap and trade program
This resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to oppose the implementation of a cap and trade program that opponents say would negatively impact Michigan residents through the elimination of jobs and by increasing the costs of goods and services.
Senate Bill 853: Michigan Business Tax Credit for helping workers pay off student loans
This bill would offer an employer who chooses to pay down or pay off an employee’s student loan debt a Michigan Business Tax (MBT) credit equal to 50 percent of the employer-paid contribution up to $5,000.00 annually.
RECENTLY PASSED IN THE SENATE
Senate Bill 164: Increased hunting rights for disabled
This bill continues the recent trend of relaxing rules for crossbow usage and other forms (e.g. modified bows) of hunting to increase hunter participation and ensure hunting opportunities for people of all physical conditions. This bill adds “temporarily disabled” to the section of law allowing permanently disabled people to hunt with crossbows so that hunters with either permanent or temporary disabilities can hunt with a crossbow.
Senate Bill 428: Attract alternative energy technology businesses
This bill would amend the “Local Development Financing Act” to create a definition for a Certified Alternative Energy Park to be created by municipalities, the MEDC, and an authority district. A municipality can apply to MEDC to be granted a certified alternative energy park if there are resources necessary for, and a strong likelihood of, attracting alternative energy technology businesses.
Senate Bill 777: Includes tax credits for plug-in hybrid batteries
This bill would amend the Michigan Business Tax to create a new category of incentives for a Michigan company manufacturing plug-in hybrid batteries. Currently there are four agreements between the MEGA board and companies creating these next generation batteries. A taxpayer under this agreement can claim a credit equal to 50% of capital investment up to $25 million/year for 4 years starting in 2012. The only requirement is that they create at least 300 new jobs.
DO YOU BELIEVE THE STATE FUNDED MICHIGAN PROMISE GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SHOULD BE PRESERVED?
The Michigan Promise Grant Scholarship provides $4000 to students enrolling in Michigan universities who stay in school for the four years and meet qualifying scores in high school standardized tests. I invite you to visit my website and participate in my current survey question on whether you support preserving this scholarship for Michigan students. 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 that would require mortgage companies to notify mortgage holders of a transfer of their loan. Voters responded with 76% in favor of the proposal, 19% opposed, and 5% undecided.
SENATE OFFERS REFORMS TO SAVE CRITICAL PROGRAMS FROM THE BUDGET CHOPPING BLOCK
The Senate members are fighting to fund a number of priorities to make Michigan’s communities safe and Michigan workers marketable to new businesses, including: early childhood and public education programs, so that our young people enter school ready to learn; Promise scholarships that help our students afford a higher education and secure good-paying jobs; local revenue sharing that provides funding for police officers and firefighters; and medicaid programs that keep people from seeking more expensive care down the road that we all end up paying for.
Senate Democrats have provided concrete suggestions for resolving the state’s budget crisis, while avoiding cuts that would eliminate any chance for a long-term economic recovery. Democrats challenged all involved to consider serious reforms that would make Michigan better able to compete with other states in the region and spare families from devastating cuts.
To read more on this issue visit the Senate Democratic Caucus website at http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/.
SENATORS PUSH FOR JOB CREATION, HELP PASS BILLS TO TRANSFORM FORMER WIXOM ASSEMBLY
Recently in the Senate, I voted to approve an extension of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credits that would allow the program to award incentives to redevelop the closed Ford Wixom Assembly Plant into a renewable energy park. The project is expected to bring in millions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs. Without the Senate’s passage of these bills, SB 777 and HB 4523, MEGA would have been unable to issue any more job-producing credits and this project would not be possible.
These credits are essential to generating economic activity in Michigan, and in particular, helping the state shift from traditional manufacturing to growing, high-tech and green industries. Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy are expected to invest $725 million at the Ford Wixom plant. Xtreme Power will create 2,500 direct jobs and 10,000 supplier and indirect jobs, including a minimum of 4,000 jobs in Wixom. Clairvoyant Energy will create 270 direct jobs, and its manufacturing partner, Oerlikon, plans to locate its North American Headquarters at Wixom, creating 300 jobs.
To read more, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=1415.
SENATE INTRODUCES BILLS BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION.
This week, a package of bills was introduced to the Senate addressing ways to improve access and resolve patient rights issues while streamlining services to make available resources go further. The legislation stems from recommendations made by the Michigan Mental Health Commission. The Commission worked to identify ways to improve mental health care in Michigan, and identified areas for improvement including barriers to access and inconsistent rights protection.
The bills introduced include those to streamline the number of Community Mental Health programs from 46 to 18; allow the closest surviving member of a deceased recipient the ability to access the recipient’s mental health records unless the recipient acted to prohibit this; make certain diagnoses automatic priorities for service; strengthen the Recipient Rights Office regulations by allowing local recipients rights decisions to be appealed to the State Recipient Rights Appeals Committee; and to require the Department of Community Health to list on its website a listing of service selection guidelines principals to aid consumers, families, providers, and service managers in matching treatment and support options to the recipient’s needs.
To read the press release on this legislation go to http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/.
MDOT POSTS GAME DAY TRAFFIC INFORMATION ONLINE
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is once again making game day traffic information for University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Detroit Lions football fans available on the MDOT website at www.michigan.gov/mdot.
You can find "Getting to the Game" information at www.michigan.gov/gettingtothegame or by clicking on the "Getting to the Game" icon on the MDOT Web site home page. Game day travel alerts will be updated regularly throughout the season.
For up-to-date information on state roadways (US, M and I routes), go to the list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive.
MDOT TO COLLECT TRAVEL DATA FROM MICHIGAN HOUSEHOLDS
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating the MI Travel Counts travel study last conducted in 2004-2005. As before, MDOT is asking Michigan households to keep travel diaries that MDOT will use to better understand the changes in household travel that may have occurred since 2005. Information gained from the study will help MDOT set transportation priorities for the next two decades.
Beginning this week, prospective participants will receive a letter notifying them that they will be contacted by telephone and asked to participate in the study by filling out a travel diary. The diary will detail household travel activities for 24 hours. Information collected will be converted to statistical data and used only for the purposes of the study. All information will remain confidential. Public participation in this project will help to make traveling easier and safer, with less traffic congestion.
For more information about MI Travel Counts, call 517-335-2956 or visit www.michigan.gov/mitravelcounts.
SENATOR ANDERSON WELCOMES THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO CONSUMER FORUM IN LIVONIA
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today announced that it will host a series of consumer forums throughout Michigan in September and October. The forums are designed to give consumers the latest information on electric and natural gas rates for the winter and the status of local and long distance telephone service.
One of the MPSC's three Commissioners - Chairman Isiogu, Commissioner Monica Martinez, or Commissioner Steven A. Transeth - will be available at each forum to discuss these issues, explain how the Commission makes decisions, and listen to questions and comments regarding utility service. The Livonia consumer forum will take place Monday October 12, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. in the Civic Park Senior Center at 15218 Farmington Road.
The consumer forum sites are easily accessible, including handicapped parking. Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact Mark Smith at (517) 241-5410 in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.
DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR MICHIGAN HOME HEATING CREDIT APPROACHING
The September 30 deadline to apply for Michigan’s Home Heating Credit in 2009 is quickly approaching. The credit assists low-income people with winter energy bills. The Home Heating Credit is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. Eligible customers must have their homestead in Michigan, must own or rent the home in which they live, and income must fall within certain limits.
The form (1040CR-7) may be obtained by calling 1-800-827-4000. It is also available on the Department of Treasury’s Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OPEN HOUSE
Mark your calendars and make sure you attend the annual Fire Prevention Week Open House event. This event will take place on October 10, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at fire station #3, Seven Mile and Wayne Roads. This event is free and family friendly. Kids (and adults!) can dress up like firefighters, shoot the fire hose, walk through a smoke alarm that really works, and watch plenty of demonstrations as well. For more information, call (734) 466-2444.
NEED HELP WITH HOME REPAIRS? GRANT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MINOR HOME REPAIR
The Livonia Housing Commission is providing financial assistance to low and moderate income homeowners for general, permanent home repairs. Eligible home repairs may include minor plumbing/electrical repair, hot water tank replacement, sewer cleanout, installation of handrails/grab bars, patching of minor roof leaks, door/window operations and other minor repairs needed to address the homeowners’ health and safety. The maximum allowable grant award is $1,500 per home/per fiscal year. A minimal fee for service will be established and collected upon determination of homeowners’ program eligibility. For more information please call (734) 421-6450 ext. 105 or e-mail minorhomerepair@ci.livonia.mi.us
Qualifications for either program include the following guidelines:
You must be a homeowner/occupant for at least one year
No land contracts
The home must be covered by homeowner’s insurance
The property taxes and water bills must be paid to date
Assets (not including principle residence and automobile) must be
less than $50,000
The combined annual household gross income must not exceed the income limitations as determined by HUD and listed below:
ENERGY HEATING AND FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The City of Livonia, Department of Community Resources receives Block Grant Funds to assist low-income residents with utility shut-off notices on a one time only basis, for natural gas, electric or fuel heating arrearage, up to a maximum of $500.00. Matching funds or co-payments for any amount exceeding the maximum cap are required at the time of application and are the responsibility of the applicant.
The department also distributes U.S.D.A. surplus commodity food to pre-registered low-income residents on the second Wednesday of the month from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Dickinson Center, 18000 Newburgh Road, between Six and Seven Mile Roads. Senior housing residents should contact their housing office for program information and enrollment. For information on these programs call Sharon at (734) 466-2540
GRANHOLM ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ENSURE PRESERVATION OF LIBRARY, HISTORICAL CENTER RESOURCES
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order ensuring that when the Department of History, Arts and Libraries ceases to exist on October 1, the state’s library and historical collections will be preserved and maintained for generations to come.
The order gives priority to:
• Services that affect libraries and their patrons throughout the state such as Michigan eLibrary (MeL) and MelCat, the statewide online catalog and resource sharing system;
• The preservation of important collections maintained by the Library of Michigan, including the Michigan collection, the Rare Books Collection, and the Genealogy Collection.
The governor is also requiring the Michigan Center for Innovation and Reinvention Board, established under Executive Order 2009-36, to consider potential ideas to preserve and maximize the benefits to the public of the existing Michigan Library and Historical Center. This includes public input and scrutiny regarding the most effective delivery of state library and historical services and facilities.
VETERAN’S DAY MOVIE
In recognition of the tremendous sacrifice and service of America’s Military Veterans, Senator Anderson will again host a free movie for Veterans. Veterans of Garden City, Livonia, Redford and Westland are invited to a free movie with complimentary snacks and gifts. The Veteran's Movie Day event will be held on Veteran's Day November 11, 2009 at 3:00 PM at the Livonia AMC 20. We wish to thank AMC Theaters of Livonia for their generosity and cooperation to make this possible for a second year. Seating is limited, so please contact Senator Anderson’s office to reserve a ticket for you and a guest. You may RSVP to Michelle by phone at (866) 262-7306 or email at mmakarewicz@senate.mi.gov.
COFFEE HOURS IN LIVONIA AND GARDEN CITY ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th
On Monday, September 28th, I will be hosting coffee hours in Livonia and Garden City, and you’re invited to attend:
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Livonia Senior Center
15218 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Maplewood Community Center
31735 Maplewood Street
Garden City, MI
