e-Newsletter, June 5, 2009

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

In this section, I hope to provide you with a brief update on legislation of interest that has either been voted on or introduced recently in the Michigan State Senate.

 

RECENTLY PASSED BY THE SENATE

Senate Bill 349

This bill would amend the Hunting and Fishing Licensing of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to revise provisions concerning discounts on hunting and fishing license fees. Under this bill, the DNR may discount the price of a license up to 15% for marketing purposes to increase participation in hunting and fishing activities.

Senate Bill 419

The bill would amend Public Act 22 of 1971 to allow a person who was 16 years old to donate blood in a voluntary and non-compensatory blood program with parent or legal guardian’s permission or authorization.

 

SENATE VOTES TO PROVIDE $218 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR MICHIGAN

Last week I voted to pass a plan that will invest federal stimulus dollars in our local communities and schools. I have been actively working to ensure that local cities and schools are receiving the assistance they are entitled to and deserve. Included in the plan is $17.8 million to create jobs and help Wayne County communities implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Additionally, the Michigan Department of Education will be receiving $24.5 million for educational technology grants, designed to assist in the integration of technology in Michigan classrooms. A federal approved formula determined the amounts for various districts. Several schools within my district will receive funds including:

  • Garden City Public Schools will receive nearly $15,000 in funding.
  • Livonia and Clarenceville Public School districts will receive a total of over $40,000 in funding.
  • Redford Union and South Redford Public School districts will receive a total of over $24,000 in funding.
  • Wayne-Westland Public Schools will receive $88,924 in grant funds.

 

SENATE DEMOCRATS REJECT REPUBLICAN SWEETHEART COBO DEAL

Last week, the Senate Democratic Caucus voted against legislation that was introduced by Senate Republicans that proposes the same regional authority for the management of Cobo Hall that the Detroit City Council rejected in December with a new wrinkle. The legislation, which passed on a Republican party line vote, included a provision that would move the North American International Auto Show to Novi if the city council doesn’t accept the agreement the second time around.

I opposed the Cobo plan considered in the Senate because it did not give the communities I represent in Wayne County or those in Macomb County an equal chance for consideration in saving the auto show for Michigan. This legislation would essentially be funneling taxpayer dollars to support a privately owned facility and investor in one single county even though the tri-county area would be paying taxes to support it. It is my hope that lawmakers and local leaders will have the opportunity to sit down for real negotiations to find a better plan to keep the auto show in Michigan where it belongs.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESPASS SMOKEFREE WORKPLACE LEGISLATION

Recently, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would make Michigan the 37th state to ban smoking in most indoor places, including bars and restaurants. However, the legislation was passed with exemptions for certain cigar bars and tobacco specialty retail stores and casino floors. The plan now heads to the Senate for approval and I look forward to debating with colleagues on how we can best protect Michigan citizens from secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children, the American Lung Association reports. It is responsible for up to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in kids under 18 months of age, resulting in up to 15,000 hospitalizations a year. It causes 430 sudden infant death syndrome deaths in the U.S. annually, the ALA reports. In addition, new evidence links increases in the number of asthma cases in children to secondhand smoke exposure.

 

AGREEMENT REACHED ON FORECLOSURE PREVENTION LEGISLATION

I have long championed legislation to address the foreclosure crisis in our state and the recent agreement between the House and Senate versions of foreclosure prevention bills was another step forward. The compromise agreed to includes an important judicial enforcement provision that Democrats demanded. It’s important we continue to do everything we can to help keep people in their homes. Additional reforms will be needed to stabilize our housing market and save our citizens’ homes and I’ll keep pressing for needed reforms in this area.

To read more, visit our website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1327.

 

ACTION TAKEN ON HIRE MI FIRST LEGISLATION

After years of Senate Democrats forcing the issue and pushing for an up or down vote, the State Senate finally approved portions of the Hire Michigan First legislation. The plan will encourage companies to hire Michigan workers instead of workers from other states or countries by offering incentives. Democrats have been fighting for this legislation for years with several efforts to move the bills, repeated calls for action, and town hall meetings around the state.

Unfortunately, Republicans removed several key components of the Hire Michigan First Package, which weakened these bills. As the lead bill sponsor on this package, I will continue to advocate for these vital provisions of the law:

  • Awarding state tax incentives and other economic development incentives to companies that hire 100% Michigan residents.
  • 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.
  • Protecting the pocketbooks of Michigan families by guaranteeing a prevailing wage for workers.

To read the press release on the Hire Michigan First legislation visit: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1319.
To see more about this issue visit the Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lansing-MI/Michigan-Senate-Democrats/57144052517?ref=mf.

 

BILL TO CUT LEGISLATIVE SALARIES, BUDGETS TO TACKLESTATE FISCAL CRISIS

Recently, I voted to pass a negative supplemental budget bill that includes a 4% General Fund reduction for the judicial and legislative branches, including cutting nearly $1 million from the Senate budget. The bill also includes a $500,000 reduction in the Legislative Auditor General budget, and will save the state a total of $6,873,400, much needed savings as the state works to reconcile a significant budget deficit.

It’s important for the legislature to show leadership during these tough times. Michigan families have been forced to make difficult decisions to tighten their belt and government must do the same. I’ve taken other steps as a member of the Senate to cut government spending and increase transparency from within and ensure that the Senate is sharing in the financial sacrifices that Michigan’s families and businesses are already being forced to endure. Earlier this year I voted to cut legislators’ salaries by 10%, as one of only eight current Senators that would be affected by this change in 2011. In addition, I have voluntarily agreed to return 6 days of pay to match the furlough days being requested of state employees.

 

SENATE RESOLUTION WOULD CUT SENATE BUDGETS TO SAVE 100 STATE TROOPERS

Recently, I called for a vote on a Senate resolution that would mandate that all Senate caucus and member offices, regardless of party, should have the same overall compensation and expense levels. This proposal stands to save taxpayers $3 million, money that under a substitute introduced in the Senate would be directed to help reverse the layoff of 100 State Police troopers.

It’s appalling that the Senate Majority would be sitting on a nearly $3 million surplus while we’re cutting to the bone everywhere else, and they certainly can sacrifice their current perks to uphold public safety around the state. Despite representing the same number of Michigan citizens, individual Senate Republican office budgets are almost $100,000 more than those of Senate Democrats. This proposal would take the almost $3 million that the Senate Majority currently has in excess of the Minority and put it in the Department of State Police. This would represent a savings of approximately 10 percent of the Senate budget.

Under Senate Resolution 15, all Senate offices, in the Majority or Minority, Democrat or Republican, will receive equal compensation and expense amounts. Each individual member office shall have the same number of benefit packages, and both caucus staffs should have the same level of overall compensation. Additionally, all information regarding the Senate’s compensation and expenses shall be made available to the public on the Senate’s website.

The Secretary of the Senate has listed all of the office budgets at http://databank.senate.michigan.gov/.

 

GRANHOLM SAYS RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR WILL HELP GROW MICHIGAN ECONOMY, CREATE JOBS

Recently, the governor addressed 1,400 attendees at the Green Today, Jobs Tomorrow conference in Lansing that brought together a variety of stakeholders, including business, education and training, labor, environmental, community and faith-based partners who are currently working on various facets of creating a green economy.

Granholm said Michigan’s Green Jobs Initiative will help accelerate workers’ transition into new jobs. That initiative, part of the state’s No Worker Left Behind program, is a $6 million investment of federal dollars designed to increase the number of green industries and businesses in Michigan. The Green Jobs Initiative will:

  • Create green sector skills alliances that bring together business, labor, government and educational leaders who share interest and expertise in a specific green sector of Michigan’s economy to develop specific training programs for jobs in these green industries.
  • Invest in Michigan’s community colleges, universities, and training facilities to build their capacity to develop and provide training for green jobs;
  • Expand No Worker Left Behind to provide tuition support for eligible individuals pursuing approved green-jobs training programs at Michigan colleges and universities.

 

FREE RX CARD

The Michigan Retailers Association is offering a new program that would help people save money on prescription drugs. The Free Rx Card is available and free to everyone – there is no age, income or other eligibility requirements. Cardholders will be able to receive discounts averaging 35 percent off the cost of a prescription, with savings of up to 75 percent off generic prescriptions.

More than 2,000 pharmacies in Michigan - including all major chains and many independents – are participating in the program.

Anyone can obtain a card by visiting the Michigan Retailers Association website at www.retailers.com. The website also can be used to locate a nearby participating pharmacy and to determine the discounted price.

 

MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ISSUES CONSUMER ALERT ON AVAILABLE CREDITS

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has issued a consumer alert on credits that electric customers may be eligible for after experiencing lengthy or frequent electric outages. Under certain conditions, residential customers could receive a $25 credit. Commercial and other customers also have credits available to them based on their minimum bill. In all cases, customers should contact their electric utility to request the credit.

The MPSC’s service quality and reliability standards include rules providing for outage service credits. Under these rules, there are three types of outage conditions that may qualify for a credit: catastrophic condition outages, normal condition outages, and frequent outages. Details on the rules are available in the consumer alert, available on the MPSC’s website: http://www.michigan.gov/mpscalerts/ (then click on electric).

 

DONATE YOUR TREE TO BE THE STATE CHRISTMAS TREE

The Department of Management and Budget, Michigan Association of Timbermen and Great Lakes Timber Professional Association have announced that they are in search for the 2009 state Christmas tree.

Anyone wishing to donate a tree (fir or spruce, at least 65 feet tall and no more than 30 feet wide) should send a picture and contact information by July 1, to ChristmasTree@Michigan.gov.

 

2009 STATEWIDE CONSTRUCTION MAPS NOW AVAILABLE

The annual state highway construction map is now available from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The free guide, called "Paving the Way," is updated each year to help motorists locate major road and bridge projects across the state. The 2009 map will be available at MDOT's Transportation Service Centers and region offices, as well as at Travel Michigan's Welcome Centers. The map is also available for viewing at state rest areas.

Information on the map is current at the time of printing. Motorists are encouraged to check MDOT’s frequently updated list of lane closures on the web at http://www.michigan.gov/drive. The web site features an interactive map showing current and planned construction projects throughout the state, as well as images from traffic cameras.

To request copies of "Paving the Way," contact the MDOT Office of Communications in Lansing at (517) 373-2160.

 

REDFORD AND WESTLAND HOLD ANNUAL ROUGE RESCUE

Both the City of Westland and Redford Township wild hold their annunal Rouge Rescue events on Saturday, June 6. This is also a great opportunity for students or scouts to earn community service hours. Activities include invasive plant removal, trash removal and woody debris management.

Suggested items to wear or bring:

  • Boots or sturdy shoes
  • Long pants & long-sleeve shirt
  • Hat & gloves (we supply brown cloth ones)
  • Sunscreen & bug spray

In Redford: Cleanup will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pre-registration encouraged by calling (313) 387-2632 or email: kaho@redfordtwp.com. On the date of the event, check in at Redford CSO Basin located at 16100 Lola Drive in Redford which is located one block east of Beech Daly between Six Mile & Five Mile

In Westland: Cleanup will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year's clean-up site will be at the rear of Wilderness Park along Tonquish Creek. To volunteer please call (734)595-0288 x223.

 

FRIENDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN MEAD HOSTS ANNUAL GARDEN WALK

The Friends for the Development of Greenmead, Livonia's Historic Village, will present its 20th annual Garden Walk on Saturday, June 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Seven gardens and home located throughout Livonia will be open for viewing. All proceeds benefit the restoration and preservation of Livonia's Greenmead Historical Village. Tickets purchased in advance are $9 per person; tickets purchased at the event are $10 per person. Tickets may be purchased from committee members, any Livonia library, Greenmead office and the Department of Community Resources on the fifth floor of Livonia City Hall. For more information, call (734) 466-2540 or (734) 425-4855.

 

ENJOY A WEEKEND OF FAMILY FUN AT THE SAHARA FEST

The Sahara Fest is coming back to Livonia July 16-19 for another weekend of family fun, food and entertainment. Benefiting the Mariam Center, the Sahara Fest will have carnival rides for all ages, cultural food and entertainment with no admission cost to get in. The Mariam Center is a planned community center that will give the community a location to study/participate in physical activities as well as meeting and planning with a culture-rich environment. The event will be held in the field next to the Basilica of St. Mary, 18100 Merriman Road, between Six and Seven Mile roads in Livonia.

 

COFFEE HOURS IN WESTLAND AND REDFORD ANNOUNCED FOR MONDAY, JUNE 8TH, 2009

On Monday, June 8th, I will be hosting coffee hours in Westland and Redford, and you’re invited to attend:

Monday, June 8th

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