e-Newsletter, February 20, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Earlier this month, I joined my colleagues in the Senate by voting to pass a package of bills to make important changes to the Friend of the Court and its ability to handle and process child support and custody cases. The package includes provisions that simplify payment plan requirements for past due child support and allows judges greater discretion in addressing cases on an individual basis. The legislation also streamlines the license suspension process and allows law enforcement to boot vehicles of individuals who have refused to pay support.
Last week, I co-sponsored legislation to amend the Kinship Care Act which was signed into law last year. The act provides financial and other support to caregivers who choose to rear their minor-age relatives as opposed to allowing the children to become wards of the state. The changes proposed in Senate Bill 227 would adopt recent federal changes to ensure Michigan receives the maximum federal funds for the program. I strongly believe that children are best served when placed in a stable and permanent living situation with family members. I will continue to advocate for measures which make this possibility a reality.
JOB STRATEGIES TOWN HALL MEETING ANNOUNCED
Next month, I will bring together officials from Michigan government agencies and local service providers to present a town hall meeting focusing on successful job strategies and assistance programs for these challenging economic times. The event will feature a panel of speakers followed by breakaway sessions with presenters meeting one on one with attendees.
The event will be held on Monday, March 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at the Livonia Senior Center located at 15218 Farmington Rd. (near the corner of Farmington Rd. and 5 mile).
For any additional information please feel free to contact my office at (866) 262-7306 or senatoranderson@senate.mi.gov
SHOULD STATE CONTRACTS GIVE PREFERENCE TO MICHIGAN WORKERS?
Recently, Democrats in the State Legislature introduced a package of bills that would ensure that Michigan businesses that employ Michigan residents are given preference in state contracts. This legislation would also provide certain tax breaks to businesses who hire the most Michigan workers. Do you support this legislation?
It is extremely important for me to hear what you think about issues in the Michigan Legislature. I invite you to visit my website and participate in my current survey question on whether you support this 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.
My last online survey, which asked, “Should funding increases to colleges and universities be linked to a voluntary freeze in tuition rates?” resulted in over 70% of participants expressing approval. Thanks to all those who participated.
MICHIGAN STRENGTHENS LIMIT ON UTILITY SHUT-OFFS
This month, members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) issued emergency rules to keep people from losing electricity or heat in the winter following the death of a 93-year-old Bay City man who froze inside his home. Unemployed workers and a large number of low-income customers will now be protected from utility shut-offs as long as they pay a small portion of their monthly bills.
PSC commissioners also gave customers an extra month of winter shut-off protection by extending the original March 31st deadline to April 30th. Additionally, new rules were written to outline the protocol for how customers must be notified if their power or heat is going to be shut-off. The PSC also banned regulated utilities from using power-limiting devices and will now require them to send an employee to the premises and verify that the customer does not meet conditions preventing a shut-off.
I have also co-sponsored a series of bills to outlaw a number of current shut-off practices.
MICHIGAN MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND
Michigan citizens who are required to file Michigan Income Taxes now have the option to donate a portion of their return to the Military Family Relief Fund by entering a donation amount on the "Military Family Relief Fund" line of the MI-1040. The MFRF provides grants to qualifying families of military personnel of the Michigan National Guard and reserve forces stationed in Michigan. Those who are experiencing financial hardships as a result of an active duty deployment or a line of duty related injury or illness qualify. This is a simple, yet effective, way in which we can show our gratitude to these dedicated individuals.
Three basic items are required to qualify for assistance:
- A copy of deployment orders issued by headquarters or a military contact for verification of in the line of duty injury or illness cases.
- Copies of bills/invoices/estimates/notices for expenses.
- A completed DMVA application form 10-1 (Rev. 04/08).
The DMVA application form is available at the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website, www.michigan.gov/dmva, by clicking on "Inside DMVA" and then, "Support our Troops," or by calling 1-866-271-4404. In addition to the Michigan Income Tax return, donations may also be mailed to: Military Family Relief Fund, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 30261, Lansing, MI 48909.
WESTLAND SCHOOL WINS 2009 OUTSTANDING SERVICE-LEARNING AWARDS
Tinkham Alternative High School in Westland was recently honored by the Michigan Community Service Commission and Learn and Serve-Michigan with the Innovative Program Award for their “Talk to Us” service-learning program. Westland was chosen out of hundreds of schools across Michigan for this award that honors a K-12 service-learning program for demonstrating innovation and excellence. Service-learning connects students’ curriculum to a service experience, which makes the learning intellectually challenging and very relevant to the real world.
Tinkham Alternative High School’s “Talk to Us” program is intended to educate middle and high school-aged girls on the many different issues young women face today. Discussions often revolve around feminism, body image, gender roles, healthy relationships, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. It was created by three veteran women's studies students who were committed to facilitating an after-school intervention program for middle school girls. The six-week program includes time for discussions, presentations, and reflection. This program is a great accomplishment for the school and I’d like to thank all of the students who took the time to participate.
GRANHOLM CREATES GREAT LAKES WIND COUNCIL
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently created the Great Lakes Wind Council, an advisory body within the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth that will provide citizens with a public forum to begin to identify where, in the Great Lakes, wind energy systems may be sited.
In addition to finding ways to get Michigan citizens involved in offshore wind, the council will identify criteria that can be used to review applications for offshore wind development. The council will also designate criteria for mapping areas that should be excluded from offshore wind development and those areas that are most favorable for such development, providing a full report to the governor by September 1, 2009. The Great Lakes are extremely important to both Michigan’s economy and our tourism industry, and it is essential that we make sure strict criteria are in place for the process of building offshore wind energy systems.
COFFEE HOURS IN LIVONIA AND GARDEN CITY ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2009
On Monday, February 23, I will be hosting coffee hours in Livonia and Garden City, and you’re invited to attend:
Monday February 23rd
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Livonia Civic Park Senior Center
15218 Farmington Road
Livonia
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Maplewood Community Center
31735 Maplewood
Garden City
