e-Newsletter, July 13, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
Senate Bill 683: Protecting Students’ Civil Rights
My legislation would prohibit any person employed or contracted by a public school from conducting a strip search or cavity search of a student. It would also prohibit the removing or arranging of any student’s clothing in order to conduct a visual inspection of the student.
Senate Bill 673: Prohibit Employer from Divulging Personal Information
This bill would prohibit an employer from disclosing an employee’s personal information to a third party without prior written consent of the employee.
Senate Bill 657: Increased Regulation of Local Government Officials’ Travel
This legislation would require local government officials to follow the same regulations as members of state government concerning travel paid for with government funds. This is aimed at preventing the misuse of public funds on unnecessary travel.
RECENTLY PASSED LEGISLATION
House Bill 4441: Increase College Access for Veterans in Michigan
I introduced this amendment which was included in the Higher Education budget to direct higher education institutions to provide in-state tuition rates for all veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The amendment passed unanimously in the Senate Appropriations Committee and in the full Senate. This August, the ‘21st Century G.I. Bill’ will begin providing the opportunity for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts to attend colleges and universities across America. This amendment will direct our colleges to provide an incentive for these veterans to attend colleges in Michigan. Many of our neighboring states have already taken this action.
Senate Bill 470: Require Identifying Tagging of Beer Kegs
To combat the problem of underage drinking, this bill would require retailers to attach a tag to a beer keg sold which identifies the individual who makes the purchase. This allows law enforcement officers to identify individuals purchasing alcohol for minors. Removing the identifying tag would result in the forfeiture of the security deposit on the keg.
Senate Bill 204: Increase Protections for Active Duty Military Belongings
This bill would prevent self-storage facilities from selling the belongings of active duty military personnel during the course of their overseas deployment. At times, circumstances may arise where a soldier is unable to make a rent payment to a self-storage facility. Our brave men and women should not have to risk the loss of their belongings while serving our nation.
GENERAL MOTORS, GENERAL ELECTRIC POISED TO CREATE JOBS AND INVEST IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN
In Van Buren Township, General Electric has announced it will locate a green energy research and production center at Visteon Village. The center will create 1,200 direct jobs with an average wage of $99,736 per year. Along with the 1,200 direct jobs, the center will also create over 1,600 indirect jobs. GE, the world’s largest company, will use the facility to develop advanced green manufacturing technology, as well as to serve as a training hub for GE information technology professionals. Scientists and engineers will also work at the facility, developing new technologies for General Electric aircraft engines, gas turbines, green energy and other high tech products. GE will use existing office space at the site for software and IT staff, and will construct a new 100,000 square foot center to house research and development.
GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt explained the decision to locate in Wayne County, saying the following: “Michigan is a great location for a technology center because of its world-class engineering, technical talent and public officials who understand that investing now will create tomorrow’s leading positions in information technology, clean energy and transportation.”
Meanwhile, General Motors also announced that it would base its new small fuel-efficient car production at the Lake Orion plant, which was previously scheduled to be closed. Over 1,200 jobs at the plant will be saved as a result of the announcement. We competed against Tennessee and Wisconsin for the plant.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT A BILL TO PROHBIT A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE FROM CONDUCTING A ‘STRIP SEARCH’ ON A STUDENT?
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 before the Michigan Legislature. I regularly 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 prohibiting financial institutions from selling your personal information to third parties. Voters responded with 93% in favor of the proposal, 3% opposed, and 4% undecided.
BUDGET UPDATE
Recently, both the Senate and House of Representatives took an important step toward finalizing our state budget. Both chambers approved versions of departmental budgets allowing them to now move to conference committees where members of the House and Senate will come together to hammer out a compromise that can be agreed on by all members of the Legislature and finally signed by the Governor.
During the lengthy debate over the State Police budget, I supported an amendment to prohibit state dollars for the lease of the new State Police Headquarters, which is still under construction. I don’t support spending millions of dollars for the lease of this new building when we are laying off State Troopers who provide for our safety on our roads.
As a result of the continued decline in state revenues, the budgets passed contained severe cuts to all aspects of state government. Deep cuts will be a necessary component of a balanced budget during these difficult times, but while I understand this, I will continue to fight to ensure that these cuts do not fall solely on the backs of the elderly, our students, nor Michigan’s working families. We must seek solutions that will minimize the impact on our citizens.
PROTECT K-12 PROGRAMS
As the Senate continues to address the deep budget deficit, $400 million in cuts were proposed to the School Aid budget including the reduction of $110 per student statewide—which would have a potentially crippling effect on schools across Michigan that depend on that funding for survival. Programs ranging from early childhood education to college preparation would be put at risk for elimination as a consequence of the proposed cuts. We must not seek to balance the budget in a way that will eliminate opportunities for a generation of Michigan students. Our children’s education should be our priority and by not properly funding our schools, we are turning our back on our students and driving families out of Michigan.
KEEPING OUR PROMISE
As part of cuts made to the Higher Education budget, on a party-line vote, the Senate approved the elimination of the Michigan Promise Grant. The Michigan Promise provides $4,000 in tuition assistance to Michigan high school graduates to help make the dream of a college degree a reality.
As a parent of a student at Michigan State University, I know firsthand the challenges and unexpected costs that students and their families face. Attaining a college education is supposed to be hard; it is a test of intellect, work ethic, and determination. However, we must not allow a college diploma to become out of reach to students who do not meet a test of personal wealth.
I voted against these cuts to financial aid because we owe it to students to find creative solutions to making college more affordable. Any effort to reinvent Michigan’s economy requires creating a well-trained workforce. This begins with making college financially accessible for all students.
It is extremely important for students and parents to be engaged and contact their legislators to let them know they want their tuition support retained. I will continue to fight hard for restoration of these funds for our students. The Promise Grant is just that, a promise we made to our high school students for their hard work and academic achievement.
DEFEND VITAL SERVICES FOR WORKERS AND FAMILIES
During a recent Senate session, I fought against $147 million in budget cuts to the Department of Human Services (DHS) that would deplete funding for child care and early childhood education. While I realize that in the end, a cut will be necessary, the magnitude of these DHS cuts would eliminate important support services for struggling workers and their families. We need to keep fighting for these funds and as we work together to fix this budget crisis, we need to take extra care to protect our children and families that are already being hit hard by the economy.
FIGHTING FOR CRITICAL HEALTHCARE RESOURCES FOR MICHIGAN CITIZENS
Recently, my colleagues and I fought against cuts to the Department of Community Health (DCH) budget that would slash funding for important healthcare programs for Michigan’s citizens who are struggling to get by. I joined my colleagues in introducing 16 amendments to help restore these funds.
Closest to my heart are the important programs which make up the Healthy Michigan Fund, which will be devastated by these cuts. I have received a great deal of contact from citizens about the consequences they fear will result if these reductions are not reversed. Programs like the Alzheimer’s Information Network, the Diabetes and Kidney Program and Cancer Prevention and Control have been a tremendous tool to both victims of these conditions as well as their families and friends.
Additionally, a state run program which helps individuals cover the costs of COBRA, a federal program which allows unemployed workers to maintain health insurance, is also at risk of being cut. In the end, the loss of COBRA coverage to unemployed individuals will end up affecting all of us as our community hospitals are burdened with offering increased uncompensated care.
GIVING BACK PAY TO MATCH STATE EMPLOYEES
In an effort to share in the sacrifices our citizens and employers are being required to make, I will be giving back six days of pay to match the six unpaid furlough days that state employees are being required to take between now and September 30, 2009. These funds will be directed towards the state’s General Fund to help reduce Michigan’s $1.3 billion budget deficit.
I have taken numerous steps as a member of the Senate to cut government spending from within. Earlier this year, I voted to cut legislators’ salaries by 10%. I also voted to pass a bill that includes a 4% reduction for the judicial and legislative branches, including cutting nearly $1 million from the Senate budget. This cut is in addition to a previous 1% cut to the Senate legislative budget and unpaid furlough days for my legislative staff. The bill includes a $500,000 reduction in the Legislative Auditor General budget, and will save the state a total of $6,873,400.
To learn more, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/pr.php?id=1361.
PROTECT MICHIGAN’S WATER RESOURCES
The protection of the Great Lakes has always been a main focus of mine throughout my entire legislative career and recently in the Senate, I voted with a number of my colleagues to try to pass an amendment that would help protect Michigan’s Great Lakes from large water withdrawals. The current loophole allows companies to bottle and sell large quantities of water as long as they are removed in containers 5.7 gallons or smaller. Unfortunately, the amendment failed on a party-line vote.
Last year, I worked alongside my colleagues to pass the Great Lakes Compact, a revised agreement to protect our freshwater. The legislation bans major water diversions and increases oversight of large quantity users. I cosponsored Senate Bill 212, which makes Michigan a part of the Great Lakes Compact. I am also a member of the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, a nonpartisan group of state and provincial lawmakers from eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces who work to promote Great Lakes restoration and strengthen the role of legislators in the Great Lakes policymaking process.
To read more, visit our website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1366.
REDFORD TOWNSHIP OFFERS HELP FOR FORECLOSURE VICTIMS
Redford Township is offering help to those impacted by home foreclosure. Officials have compiled an informational package concerning the foreclosure dilemma that is affecting Redford residents. For more information, contact the following agencies for important resources:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
1-888-995-4673
www.hud.gov/foreclosure.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority – “Save the Dream” Program
1-866-946-7432
www.michigan.gov/mshda.
National Foundation of Credit Counseling – Housing and Credit Counseling
1-800-388-2227
www.nfcc.org.
REDFORD TOWNSHIP INTRODUCES NEW “ACTION CENTER”
The Action Center allows citizens to maintain an open dialogue with their Township Government. Citizens can fill out and submit forms online to report incidents, provide feedback, request tours and more. Your submission will be reviewed by the appropriate staff member and handled accordingly. In order to provide the best service, please be sure to fill in all the required information as accurately as possible.
For more information visit http://209.43.125.211/egov/apps/action/center.egov.
NO COFFEE HOURS DURING THE MONTH OF JULY
Coffee hours will not be held during the months of July and December of 2009. The regular schedule for coffee hours will continue for the months of August through November. Please feel free to contact my office directly if you have a question or wish to discuss any issue.
