e-Newsletter, March 3, 2009
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC GROWTH AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES INCENTIVES FOR LIVONIA COMPANY
Recently Governor Jennifer Granholm announced eight company expansions and four community redevelopment projects set to create more than 2,900 new jobs and generate over $162 million in new investment in Michigan. One of these projects is located at an automotive engineering firm, McLaren Performance Technologies, located in Livonia.
McLaren Performance Technologies is planning to invest $8.9 million to expand its operations in Livonia and support its new power-transfer unit business to capitalize on fuel efficiency improvements in the automotive industry. The project is expected to create 74 new jobs, including 34 directly by the company. Based on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s recommendation, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board approved a state tax credit valued at $1.1 million over 10 years to help convince the company to expand in Michigan rather than a competing site in Ontario.
JOB STRATEGIES TOWN HALL ANNOUNCED
Next week, 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 breakout 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.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON TO URGE AUTO, SUPPLIER SUPPORT
Last week, Michigan's four legislative leaders including Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with White House and congressional officials to urge support for ongoing assistance to the automotive industry and automotive suppliers.
This bipartisan effort is not only about rescuing the auto industry and the Big Three, it’s also about fighting for jobs and providing support to autoworkers and their families. The leaders met with economic officials in President Barack Obama’s administration, members of Michigan's congressional delegation and finally with the Automotive Alliance, an organization of almost all the automotive manufacturers, both domestic and foreign.
As a former Ford Motor Company employee and someone who experienced many periods of layoffs, I empathize with what Michigan families are feeling as the industry continues to struggle. This time is without a doubt like none other that we’ve experienced. Nonetheless, it is clear that the automotive industry has seen transformational changes and as it pursues advanced technologies to adapt to the new economy, it has been faced with daunting challenges. We need a modernized auto industry that embraces the future, the cutting edge of technology and the American worker to continue to represent our greatest hope of national security, stability and economic recovery.
SENATE DEMOCRATS SPONSOR LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM WINTER UTILITY SHUTOFFS
The Senate will soon be introducing a plan to protect Michigan residents by banning dangerous winter utility shutoffs and regulating other shutoff practices. The bills in the shutoff protection plan will:
- Permanently outlaw winter shutoffs for all utilities from December 1 to March 31.
- Require a utility company to give all customers at least 15 days notice before shutoff through a certified letter or delivery of a shutoff notice in person before cutting power.
- Ban the use of an electric service limiter in Michigan until the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) is able to develop proper, uniform standards regarding their use.
- Expand the authority of the PSC to include all utilities, including municipalities, for regulating shutoffs.
The package will also require a utility provider to include information on government, company or other assistance programs that are available with any utility service shutoff notice, and establish penalties for improperly shutting off a utility service. This may include a fine to the utility company that goes into the Low Income & Energy Efficiency Fund, which provides shutoff and other protections for low-income consumers and promotes energy efficiency, as well as possibly ordering a customer refund.
ENSURING MICHIGAN WORKERS ARE HIRED FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROJECTS
Recently, my colleagues and I introduced a package of bills that would give Michigan workers priority for jobs on state-funded projects, and call for stronger penalties for those who hire undocumented workers. As a lead sponsor of this package, our goal with the “Hire Michigan First” plan is to get thousands of dedicated workers in Michigan back on the job. It is my belief that any construction or development project that is being supported by state money and incentives should be going directly towards the creation of Michigan jobs.
The bills in the Hire Michigan First plan call for:
- Awarding state tax breaks and other economic development incentives to companies that hire the most Michigan residents. This rule would apply to projects handled by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state-funded programs, including the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, the Renaissance Zone Act, and others.
- Encouraging transparency and accountability by requiring companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are given priority.
- Discouraging the hiring of undocumented workers by canceling state contracts and tax incentives for companies that employ illegal labor, requiring them to pay back incentives they received and barring them from future contracts.
To read more about this legislation, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=1211.
SHOULD STATE CONTRACTS GIVE PREFERENCE TO MICHIGAN WORKERS?
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.
FIRST ADVANCED BATTERY INCENTIVE ANNOUNCED
As a result of the recently enacted Michigan Advanced Battery Credits (MABC) initiative, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority today approved MABC incentives to Ford and General Motors for pack engineering, integration and assembly, vehicle engineering and advanced battery technologies. The law provides up to $335 million in refundable tax credits to encourage companies to develop and manufacture advanced batteries and commercialize advanced battery technologies in Michigan.
This initiative—which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed by Governor Granholm into law last month—is the first of its kind in the United States. These incentives will help Michigan 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.
SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE ASSISTS DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CUSTOMERS
The Secretary of State recently announced a new video system that makes it easier for deaf and hard of hearing customers to conduct business at select Secretary of State offices. Part of a yearlong pilot program, the system uses a monitor with a built-in camera and audio system to connect the customer and branch office clerk to a sign language interpreter at a special communication relay center.
The system provides a means of communication that is more natural and faster than using a pencil and paper or lip-reading, especially for people who exclusively use sign language. It also presents customers who are deaf and hard of hearing with the option of accessing interpreter services on the spot with no extra cost to the customer. This new video system program is just another example of state government working harder to serve residents better. The Livonia Area SUPER!Center located at 17176 Farmington Rd. is one of the Secretary of State branches that will institute this new technology.
COFFEE HOURS IN WESTLAND AND REDFORD ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY MARCH 9, 2009
On Monday, March 9th, I will be hosting coffee hours in Westland and Redford, and you’re invited to attend:
Monday March 9, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
William P. Faust Public Library
6123 Central City Parkway
Westland, MI
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Redford Community Center
12121 Hemingway
Redford, MI
