e-Newsletter, April 8, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
In this section I hope to provide you a brief update on legislation of interest that has either been voted on or introduced recently in the Michigan State Senate.
RECENTLY PASSED IN THE SENATE
Senate Bill 227
The bill would amend the Subsidized Guardianship Assistance Act and provide revisions for guardianship eligibility and background checks. The bill also specifies that only a relative who was a licensed foster parent caring for a child who was eligible to receive foster care payments for six consecutive months would be eligible for federal funding for guardianship assistance.
Senate Bill 401
This bill makes small but crucial changes to the Michigan Employment Security Act (MESA) to trigger the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus plan). The bill will both extend unemployment benefits an additional seven weeks, and allow the federal government to pay for 100% of this extension. Currently, the State of Michigan pays 50% of extended unemployment benefits and the federal government picks up the other 50%. SB 401 is part of a three bill package.
RECENTLY INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE
Senate Bill 402
This bill would prohibit drivers from text messaging or playing video games while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers found in violation of this law would receive a $100 fine.
Senate Bills 177, 359, 360
This legislation requires insurance companies to cover treatments and services related to autism. These services include but are not limited to therapeutic evaluations and interventions, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, intensive early intervention, and applied behavioral analysis and therapy.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TO CREATE JOBS, IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE
Week before last, I voted to pass a plan that will invest $635 million in the state’s economy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including more than $1.5 million for improvements to U.S. 24. These federal funds will put Michigan workers back on the job, making improvements to roads, bridges, and highways and pouring money back into the state’s struggling economy.
The legislation approved includes $1.5 million for patch and overlay work on US-24, southbound from Joy to Plymouth. The bill also included $4 million to repair/rebuild a bikeway along I-275, and it could receive an additional $5 million depending on how quickly the project progresses. If projects are completed within a set frame of time, the state will be eligible for an additional $120 million in funding, which combined with the initial investments will create an estimated 25,000 jobs.
To read more about this legislation, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=1271.
INSURANCE TOWN HALL PLANNED FOR APRIL 13TH
On Monday, April 13th, I will be joined by officials from the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation as well as the State Insurance Advocate for a town hall to educate and inform citizens regarding their rights and methods which can produce savings and better results when dealing with insurance companies.
The Insurance Town Hall will be held on April 13th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at:
Don Hubert VFW Post 345
27345 Schoolcraft
Redford, MI 48239
(Just east of Inkster Rd.)
For more information please feel free to contact my office (866) 262-7306 or by email: senatoranderson@senate.mi.gov.
SENATE DEMS VOTE TO CUT LEGISLATORS PAY, CALL ON REPUBLICANS TO CUT MORE NOW
Last week, Senate Democrats voted to cut legislators’ salary 10 percent and challenged Republicans to reduce Majority Senate office budgets by the same level. My colleagues and I pointed out that by reducing the Majority office budgets to the same amount that is allotted for their Democratic counterparts, the Senate Republicans could save nearly twice as much as the legislator pay cut, it could occur immediately for instant savings, and it would not need any further approval by other chambers, the Governor, or commissions.
Under Senate Resolution 15, all Senate offices, in the Majority or Minority, Democrat or Republican, will receive equal compensation and expense amounts. Currently, individual Senate Republican office budgets are almost $100,000 more than those of Senate Democrats. This proposal would take the $3 million that the Senate Majority currently has in excess of the Minority and put it in the State’s General Fund.
As our families back in the district continue to make sacrifices, there is even more we can be doing to help reduce spending and increase transparency. We need to go beyond reducing salaries and also look at the disparities in our office budgets and make sure every single constituent in Michigan is represented equally.
To read more, visit the Senate Democrats’ website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1267.
PROPERTY TAX RESOLUTION PASSES SENATE
Recently in the Senate, I voted to pass Senate Joint Resolution H, which would put a proposal for property tax relief on the ballot and before the voters for their approval, recently passed in the Senate. The resolution would require that a home’s taxable value would be capped at the previous year’s rate or the property’s assessed value, whichever is less. This cap would apply for taxes after 2009, and would go on the 2010 ballot. To make the ballot however, the proposal now needs to pass the State House of Representatives by a two-thirds vote.
Senate Joint Resolution H is also the subject of my newest survey question.
DO YOU SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROHIBIT INCREASES IN PROPERTY TAXES WHEN A HOMES VALUE HAS DECREASED?
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 in the Michigan Legislature. Every two weeks, I 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 supported a plan requiring mortgage companies to allow homeowners faced with foreclosure an additional 90 days to negotiate a way to keep their homes. Voter's responded with 74% in favor of the proposal, 23% opposed, and 3% undecided.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTE TO REPEAL DRUG INDUSTRY IMMUNITY
The Michigan House of Representatives took a stand last week during session for Michigan residents who have been harmed by dangerous prescription drugs by voting to repeal a state law that gives drug companies complete immunity when their products harm or kill. The House took action to end drug industry immunity in 2007, but the plan met with opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The plan that passed the Michigan House will:
- Repeal a 1996 law granting immunity to drug companies. Passed by then-Governor John Engler and the Republican-controlled Legislature, the law gives companies complete immunity in Michigan when their products harm or kill if the drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Make the repeal retroactive so Michigan residents who have been harmed by dangerous drugs since 1996 can hold drug companies accountable.
- Include drug companies in the Consumer Protection Act, from which they are exempt.
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. It is my hope that the Senate will address this legislation swiftly so it can be signed into law by Governor Granholm as soon as possible.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONSIDER BILL TO HELP AUTO SUPPLIERS
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a measure in committee that would change the way the state provides tax credits to auto suppliers so companies can get the money more quickly. The proposal would give auto suppliers who already receive multiyear Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credits all the money up front before 2011.
The proposal is aimed at helping Michigan auto suppliers who have been hurt by the industry slowdown. Auto suppliers would have to be likely to retain jobs specified in original agreements with the state to get the tax credits advanced. This measure could soon come up for a vote on the House floor.
SENATE DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS FROM FORECLOSURE
Last week, the Senate Democrats fought efforts to gut the foreclosure protection legislation that was approved with bipartisan support two weeks ago. Democrats sought to restore true protections to House Bills 4453, 4454 and 4455 that would safeguard homeowners from Michigan’s growing foreclosure crisis.
The Senate Republican substitutes for HB 4453-4455 taken up in the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee ultimately stripped the judicial foreclosure provision that requires a lender to work with a borrower who qualifies for a loan modification under the FDIC workout program. The amendments my colleagues introduced last week would restore the original language in the House-passed version of this legislation that said that if lenders refuse to modify a loan for a qualifying borrower, then a foreclosure proceeding will be converted to a judicial proceeding.
The Senate Democrats’ amendments failed on a party line vote, and the Senate Republicans’ watered down substitutes also passed 4-3. The bills now move to the full Senate for consideration.
NINTENDO WII SYSTEM DONATED TO LIVONIA SENIOR CENTER
Last month, I presented Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey and Senior Center Director Gay Ware with a Nintendo Wii video game system. I have previously donated game systems to senior centers in the communities of Garden City, Redford, and Westland and have seen what a success they have been. The Nintendo Wii incorporates physical activity and exercise into its video games and has won praise amongst all age groups.
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES OVER 2,600 NEW JOBS
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is helping nine companies grow in Michigan and is backing two brownfield redevelopment projects. Combined, the 11 projects are expected to create and retain 2,755 jobs (146 jobs retained) and generate over $177.8 million in new investment in the state. This shows that Michigan’s aggressive plan to diversify and grow our economy is producing results and hopefully this success will continue.
FEDERAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT WILL HELP MICHIGAN FAMILIES
The billions of dollars the state is estimated to receive through the federal economic recovery act will help Michigan citizens and families by putting people to work, by protecting health care for the vulnerable, making college more affordable, and keeping our communities safe. Funds are available through competitive grant opportunities. More information on recovery programs that will benefit citizens can be found at www.michigan.gov/recovery
REMEMBER TO VOTE MAY 5
Remember to cast your ballot in your Tuesday, May 5 local school election. Voters who need to have their absentee ballot mailed to them must apply no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. on Monday, May 4.
To find out if there is an election in your community, visit the Secretary of State Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/sos or check with your county clerk’s office. 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 http://www.michigan.gov/vote.
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 ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY, APRIL 13TH, 2009
On Monday, April 13th, I will be hosting coffee hours in Westland and Redford, and you’re invited to attend:
Monday, April 13th
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
