e-Newsletter, January 9, 2009
Should state law be changed to allow all U.S. Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars to be eligible for in-state tuition rates at Michigan public universities?
This August, the first class of veterans eligible for aid under The Post 9/11 Veterans Assistance Act of 2008 will enter college campuses under the revised G.I. Bill. Derek Blumke and Carl Ireland, students at the University of Michigan and veterans of the armed forces, have proposed allowing all United States military veterans to qualify for in-state tuition in order to make Michigan a more veteran friendly state.
I invite you to visit my website and take part in my most recent survey question on whether you support the proposal. Every two weeks I post a new survey question on my website to receive your input on some of the issues facing our state. I welcome you to click on the link below and share your thoughts on my current survey. www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/
2008 LEGISLATIVE RECAP
This past year I was happy to work with my colleagues in the Michigan Legislature to address crucial issues for Michigan’s future. While debate and disagreement are a constant in governance, agreements were reached on a number of important initiatives. Here are some of the highlights.
Great Lakes Compact
The legislation passed and signed into law enacted these core protections of our greatest natural resource. This legislation:
- Enacts the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.
- Bans significant diversions from Michigan waters and the Great Lakes.
- Establishes a regulatory standard which provides oversight of large quantity withdrawals and permitting for the largest water users to ensure water withdrawals, from both surface and groundwater, do not cause an adverse resource impact.
- Contains special additional protections for thermally-sensitive trout streams.
- Includes special provisions to protect Michigan’s waters against large-scale withdrawals by water bottlers.
- Reaffirms our rights as citizens to seek redress if our waters are harmed, and reiterates the state’s role in protecting those waters.
As a member of the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, I have been fighting for the protection of the Great Lakes for my entire career. I am proud to have voted for this agreement which is the most comprehensive legislation to date in both our state and the region.
Film Tax Credits
Early in 2008, the Senate passed a 16-bill package of incentives designed to attract growth in the film industry to Michigan. The bi-cameral, bi-partisan package included significant incentives for hiring Michigan residents. Livonia and Westland are two of the “film friendliest” cities in the state as they both boast accommodations needed for film production and offer an array of landscapes, unique buildings and filming options.
Since the passage of these investment incentives, 25 films have been produced in Michigan, creating over $100 million in revenue. One is in theaters now - Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino." Just this week the Detroit Free Press reported that officials are on the verge of completing a deal to build a $100 million film studio in Wayne County, which would be expected to result in 3,500 jobs.
You may wish to visit the website for the State of Michigan film office at: http://www.michigan.gov/filmoffice.
Battery Production Subsidies
Last month, I joined my colleagues in the legislature in passing House Bill 6611 which will offer up to $335 in investment incentives for the development and manufacture of lithium-ion and other high-tech batteries used to power hybrid and electric cars. By instituting these incentives, Michigan will have the tools to retain its status as the car capital of the world. This effort will also help jumpstart our economy, bringing in millions of dollars of investment and creating hundreds of jobs. Evidence of this was seen this week, when a Massachusetts battery manufacturer announced it plans to build a manufacturing plant in southeast Michigan. Hopefully, this announcement will be the first of many future successes of this initiative.
Renewable Energy Package
One of the biggest legislative accomplishments in 2008 was the passage of the renewable energy package, a bipartisan effort that will stimulate job growth, promote the use of renewable energy resources and save ratepayers $4.3 billion in future energy costs. This legislation will also help encourage new investment in our state, which will in turn create thousands of new jobs in the renewable energy sector.
For more information on this legislation, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=1074.
PRIORITIES FOR THE 95th LEGISLATURE
Many important issues remain to be addressed in 2009, the most important being job creation. With unemployment rates up and our economy suffering, we must act now to pass legislation to do more for job creation, increasing investment and attracting businesses to our state. As a state, the difficulties we continue to face are too important to delay action.
Another priority for 2009 is passing legislation to create smokefree workplaces. As you may know, the legislature debated smokefree bills throughout 2008 and to my great disappointment was unable to reach a compromise on this legislation. Therefore the legislation will have to be reintroduced this year and start the process all over. The Senate version of the bill called for all workplaces and public businesses to be smokefree while the House version had exceptions for smoking in Detroit casinos and in businesses geared towards smoking such as cigar bars. The current law will not change unless both chambers can agree on the same version of legislation. I believe this may be the most important public health issue we address this year and hope that this legislation moves forward swiftly in 2009.
Pharmaceutical immunity must also remain a priority in 2009. The legislature should repeal Michigan’s 1995 drug immunity law shielding pharmaceutical makers from product liability lawsuits. Legislation has been repeatedly introduced that would do just that by creating liability for manufacturers of defective prescription drugs like Vioxx, which has caused heart attacks in up to 139,000 Americans. Michigan is the only state in the nation where drug companies are not held to the same consumer-protection standards that other businesses must adhere to and it is important that we correct this and hold companies accountable for any harm they have caused Michigan families.
UPCOMING LEGISLATION OF INTEREST
This year, I plan to reintroduce a Senate Joint Resolution that will reform the practice by which legislative districts are drawn. For too long the ambitions of political parties and candidates have dictated this process. With the changes I have proposed, the accurate representation of Michigan citizens will rightfully return as the fundamental force behind the redistricting process.
I also plan to reintroduce a bill to protect workers’ rights and privacy. This bill would increase the protection of workers’ rights by ensuring that they are not terminated for health issues of family members, when the physical condition of an applicant’s family members has no bearing on the performance of the employee. Michigan’s workers deserve protection from this type of discrimination.
Lastly, I plan to again introduce legislation focusing on insurance and strengthening consumer rights. Currently, Michigan insurance laws allow insurance companies to drag out settlements and deny claims with little recourse to the consumer. My legislation will tighten the reins on insurance companies and increase consumer protection for individual policyholders. We must increase insurance company accountability to ensure our benefits and claims are treated fairly.
DTE ENERGY AND CONSUMER’S ENERGY OFFER UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE
With winter upon us, it’s important that we begin preparing ourselves and our houses for the colder weather. DTE Energy and Consumer’s Energy offer a number of programs to help customers with their energy bills.
Payment assistance programs offered to customers include:
- Medical emergencies program to postpone shutoffs in the event of a medical issue;
- Shutoff protection plan to spread future bills out over the year and to include equal monthly payments on an unpaid balance in order to avoid a shutoff.
Some consumers and all senior citizens regardless of their income also qualify for DTE Energy’s Winter Protection Plan. This program protects seniors and low-income customers from shutoff between November 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. After March 31, the required bill payments will increase to cover winter bills.
Many assistance programs are available by calling 2-1-1 at United Way. Programs that are available include:
- Low-income weatherization that includes caulking, weather stripping, and insulation;
- THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund, which helps people facing a shutoff and who have exhausted all federal and state funding programs. Visit: www.thawfund.org.
You may also wish to take steps this season to reduce the amount of energy that your household uses in order to offset the usual increase in utility bills that comes with colder weather. The U.S. Department of Energy has developed a useful guide with suggestions on how to reduce your energy consumption that they have made available online at: http://www.energysavers.gov/.
There is also the State Emergency Relief Program to help with paying energy bills. This program can be accessed through your local Department of Human Services office or the Energy Assistance Hotline at 800-292-5650. Additional information about this program can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance/0,1607,7-215-33211-105989--,00.html.
JANUARY IS MENTORING MONTH IN MICHIGAN
The month of January is known as Mentoring Month in the state of Michigan and is intended to generate awareness and activity for this important cause. Throughout January, the Mentor Michigan Organization will celebrate the everyday, ordinary people who are making a difference for kids in Michigan.
Lloyd Carr, the former football coach at John Glenn High School and the University of Michigan, has been active with the Mentor Michigan organization, promoting their important efforts. Despite a record number of mentors in the state, a recent study shows thousands of kids are still waiting to be matched with a role model and friend. Mentor Michigan reminds those who may be interested that mentors do not need special skills; all they need is to care about kids and be willing to volunteer about one hour a week. For more information please visit www.mentormichigan.org.
DIGITAL TV TRANSITION FAST APPROACHING
With a little more than a month before the February 17th deadline for the transition to digital television signals, efforts are being made to avoid any inconvenience for viewers. Television stations in the metro region are cooperating to answer concerns about whether your television set is ready for the change.
Each Tuesday, participating stations will air a test signal for 60 seconds at a prescribed time to determine the viability of your television set. Participating stations are as follows: WADL (IND), WDIV (NBC), WJBK (FOX), WKBD (CW), WMYD (MYTV), WTVS (PBS), WUDT (Univision), WXYZ (ABC), WWJ (CBS). The test will air on January 13th at 5:59 p.m., January 20th at 8:59 p.m., and January 27th at 4:59 p.m. For test times in the month of February and additional information regarding the transition please visit www.MichiganDTV.com.
Remember: If you have cable or satellite TV service, you won’t need a digital converter.
FOOD SAFETY ALERTS AVAILABLE
The Michigan Department of Agriculture has recently unveiled a new program which makes alerts about food-borne illness and product recalls available via text messages and e-mail. This new technology is vital in the effort to quickly inform citizens and consumers of products which may pose potential danger to themselves and their families. This is a terrific program which combines cost and labor efficiency with improved communication between state officials and Michigan citizens. Those wishing to subscribe to the alerts may do so at www.michigan.gov/mda.
COFFEE HOURS IN WESTLAND AND REDFORD TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY JANUARY 12, 2009
On Monday, January 12, I will be hosting coffee hours in Westland and Redford Township, and I invite you to attend:
Monday, January 12
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
*PLEASE NOTE: NEW LOCATION*
William P. Faust Public Library
6123 Central City Parkway
Westland
AND
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Redford Community Center
12121 Hemingway
Redford
