What's New with Senator Basham?

Basham Applauds Decision to Continue Revocation Process for Romulus Injection Well Operating License

Senator Ray Basham applauded recent regulatory action by both the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the former Environmental Disposal Systems facility. He also commended the countless residents in Romulus, Taylor and throughout the Downriver region for their tireless efforts opposing the EDS facility during the past 16 years as well as the efforts of Congressman John Dingell, Mayors Lambert and Priebe, and numerous other elected and community officials.

On July 20 the MDEQ announced that it was proceeding with the revocation process on the EDS operating license for the commercial hazardous waste disposal well facility in Romulus. Nearly a year prior, on August 27, 2008, the department first gave notice of its intent to revoke the license. As part of that process, informal private hearings were held in late 2008. Then the MDEQ held a public hearing in April to solicit comments and input from the public. Based on the comments received by the department, the decision was made to continue with the license revocation. Pursuant to state law, this matter will now go before an administrative law judge for a contested case hearing. During these hearings the judge will receive testimony from both sides and then make a recommendation as to whether the license revocation can be finalized. Senator Basham expects the final action on this matter by the end of the year.

As a result of this action by the MDEQ, on July 27 the USEPA gave notice that it was putting the permit application by Environmental Geo-Technologies on hold indefinitely. EGT, owned by Detroit businessman Jim Papas, was seeking to secure the federal permits needed to reopen the former EDS facility. This facility was shut down in October 2006 when hazardous waste releases occurred just ten months after it began operating. Pappas hoped to reopen the facility and operate it for the Detroit Police and Fire Retirement System, the current owner. Both state and federal permits are required.

While these recent actions do not guarantee the former EDS facility will not reopen, Senator Basham said they were significant steps in that direction.

 

Negotiations on 2009 – 2010 State Budgets Continue

Senator Ray Basham reported that legislative leaders and the Granholm Administration are working to develop agreements for the Fiscal Year 2009-10 budgets. Michigan is facing a $1.7 billion deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2009 and ends September 30, 2010.

Basham explained that although both the House and Senate chambers have passed their own versions of the various state budgets, the differences in those proposals -- which are sometimes significant -- must now be resolved. He added that while both chambers have incorporated cuts into their budgets, opinions vary on how much of the pending budget deficit should be absorbed through spending reductions, federal stimulus monies and/or possibly revenue increases.

Adding to that discussion, the Senator said, was a recent public opinion survey showed that the largest percentage of respondents, 46 percent, believe the state should solve its budget problems with a combination of budget cuts and taxes. The second largest percentage, 34 percent, said it should be done entirely with budget cuts. The poll also revealed that most of those surveyed opposed cuts to the State Police (69 percent), Medicaid (67 percent), K-12 education (65 percent), revenue sharing (60 percent) and roads (55 percent).

According to the survey, when inquired about possible means of increasing state revenue, 54 percent of those polled said they could support the state adopting a graduated income tax. Some 38 percent said they would oppose it. When respondents were asked about extending the sales tax on services if the current overall sales tax rate was reduced from 6 to 5 percent, 52 percent stated that they would support such a proposal. Forty percent opposed it. Other revenue proposals failed to gain significant support.

The survey of 600 likely voters was conducted by the Lansing firm of EPIC/MRA for the Detroit News and several television stations. It had a margin of error of four percent.

 

Basham Announces Environmental Award for Romulus General Motors Plant

Senator Ray Basham recently announced that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted the General Motors Engine Operations Plant in Romulus the Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Program award for their commitment to environmental community outreach. Twelve other businesses and their community partners throughout Michigan were also recognized for the NEP Program award.

The Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Program is a competitive environmental award initiative created by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to encourage and reward businesses and their neighbors who work together locally on projects. These projects improve environmental awareness and the quality of life in their communities. The NEP Program also provides an avenue for business and community groups to share social and environmental responsibility goals in their community.

Further information on the NEP Program is available on the DEQ website at www.michigan.gov/deqnep or by calling the DEQ Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278.

 

Senator Basham Announces Criminal Justice Grants

Senator Ray Basham recently announced that Wayne County has been awarded $2,968,285 and Allen Park has been awarded $115,823 in federal funding to fight crime and update law enforcement technology. The funding is made possible by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), and are part of more than $41 million awarded to 93 different state, county and local agencies to help local communities bolster law enforcement activities and create or retain jobs.

Byrne JAG program funds can be used to support all aspects of the criminal justice system, including multi-jurisdictional task forces; crime prevention and domestic violence programs; and courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. The City of Allen Park has received $115,823 for the Allen Park Police Department to purchase a Positron VIPER/Power 911 system to keep up with the demands of an evolving emergency management environment. The City of Southgate has received $196,483 to enable the 28th District Court to restore a probation officer and two drug technicians who were laid off due to economic budget restraints. The following grants were awarded to Wayne County:

  • $1,022,436 for the 3rd Circuit Court, Family Division in Wayne County to allow the court’s juvenile drug court program to continue services when current program funding ends this fiscal year.
  • $921,888 to the Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney to establish the Community Prosecution Program will be to reduce violent crime in the city of Detroit. It will aggressively target the main perpetrators of gun violence and non-fatal shootings, carjacking, armed robberies, open-air drug markets and gang activity. Seven full-time community prosecutors will be assigned to each Detroit Police District or Precinct.
  • $721,961 for the Wayne County Sheriff's Department to organize and supervise work crews of parolees that will board up open and dangerous buildings, remove debris, and other neighborhood improvement efforts.
  • $636,899 to Wayne State University’s Department of Public Safety for the university’s police department and community partners to implement a COMPSTAT initiative to enhance the safety of Midtown Detroit through data-driven, problem-oriented policing.
  • $145,000 to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department to provide funding for infrastructure capacity improvements, upgrades and technical services to service and expand the success of the Southern Michigan Information Alliance, a consortium of twelve Wayne County public safety agencies.
  • $145,000 to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department to provide for the data transformation, connectivity, and licensing of a crime information database, and software tools for public safety agencies in Wayne County.
  • $12,000 to the Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department for the implementation of a covert video surveillance system to help improve the effectiveness of the Airport Special Investigation Unit.

To date, more than $67 million has been made available to Michigan law enforcement through the Byrne JAG program in the Recovery Act. $25.8 million was allocated directly to local communities in March. Communities receiving direct grants were required to submit applications and spending plans directly to the federal Department of Justice (DOJ).

Additional competitive grants, administered by the DOJ, have yet to be announced. The complete listing of grant awards is available on the Michigan Recovery Act website at www.michigan.gov/recovery.

 

Senator Basham Joins Senate Democrats to Fight for Early Childhood Funding

Senator Basham recently joined with Senate Democrats to fight to restore almost $54 million in funding to early childhood programs and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) in the state’s Department of Human Services budget. Restoring these funds would help the state avoid severe cuts to child care, before and after school programs, and early childhood education programs. In addition to the lost opportunity for securing federal stimulus dollars, these cuts would also jeopardize another $200 million in federal funding that our state can’t afford to lose.

According to the ECIC, each dollar invested in early childhood programs reaps anywhere from $2 to $7 in economic benefits for the state. The ECIC also released a poll showing that three-quarters of Michigan voters want early childhood development and education programs protected from such cuts. Voters also consider it “extremely” or “very” important to spare Michigan’s youngest learners and their parents from the budget wrangling in Lansing. Similarly, 83% of those polled think early childhood development and education is “an absolute necessity” for their community, including 69% who strongly believe that.

 

 

Tune Into The Basham Report

August Topic:

Senator Basham interviews State Representative Doug Geiss, the first-term Representative from the 22nd District (Taylor and Romulus), on a variety of local and state issues.

Schedule:

Wyandotte Cable – Channel 15 on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Comcast Cable (Allen Park, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Riverview, Southgate & Taylor) – Channel 20 on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Comcast Cable (Wayne & Romulus) – Channel 25 on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.

 

 

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, August 7: State Furlough Day -- State Offices Closed

Friday, August 21: State Furlough Day -- State Offices Closed

 

 

News You Can Use

MPSC OFFERS “BEAT THE HEAT AND SAVE” TIPS

With the arrival of hot temperatures, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) reminds utility customers that there are a variety of things they can do to lower electric bills.

To lower bills:

  • Seal air leaks around doors and windows.

  • Clean air conditioner filters and coils every month to make them more energy efficient.

  • Install a programmable thermostat. Setting it 10 degrees warmer when not at home can save 3 to 5 per cent on electric bills

  • Use fans – they can make the use of an air conditioner unnecessary. Ceiling fans, for example, can make a room feel six to seven degrees cooler.

  • Lower the temperature on the hot water heater to 120 degrees, a setting comfortable for most uses.

  • Plant leafy trees that shield the house from direct sunlight, keeping temperatures down. In addition, planting drought-resistant perennials, shrubs and trees can save on water bills.

  • Unplug certain appliances when not in use. Computers, cell phone chargers, MP3 players, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos and microwave ovens all use energy when plugged into electric outlets.

 

DHS ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE FOR CHILD SUPPORT INFORMATION

The Michigan Department of Human Services has announced a new website for parents that pay or receive child support payments in Michigan. The website, which can be found at http://apps.michigan.gov/MiCase/public/Home.aspx, allows parents to log in and receive updates about their payments. Parents can find information about amounts owed, payment summaries, child support case information, scheduled hearing dates, and Friend of the Court contact information.

 

SENATE DEMOCRATS LAUNCH NEW ONLINE TOOL TO HELP MICHIGAN WORKERS

Michigan Senate Democrats have launched a Facebook Cause page to gather support for the unemployment modernization legislation that would secure $138.9 million from federal funds to help Michigan’s unemployed workers. Senate Democrats created this Cause page to gather support, feature up-to-date information on the legislation and offer opportunities for people to share their experiences of dealing with this economic crisis.

The House passed this legislation in May but it has yet to be taken up by the Senate Republican Majority. The state’s unemployment rate continues to rise, with new numbers released that show it has reached 15.2%. “Michigan Unemployment Modernization” legislation will:

  • Extend benefits for workers who are being retrained for new jobs and those who were laid off from part-time jobs.

  • Secure $138.9 million in federal stimulus funding to support Michigan’s working families and help turn our economy around.

  • Ensure taxpayer resources are being used to benefit Michigan workers.

The Help Michigan Workers Facebook Cause page can be found at: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/317737/42426775?m=2d8eb144&t=1247754471. Concerned citizens can also visit www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/helpmiworkers.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSES AVAILABLE THROUGH AUG. 15

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that antlerless deer license applications for the 2009 hunting season are on sale through Aug. 15. Application fee is $4. Applications are available at all license vendors and through the DNR’s e-license system at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Applications are on sale for all public land licenses and for private land licenses in selected deer management units (DMUs) in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.

Private land licenses for all other DMUs and leftover licenses go on sale Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Drawing results will be posted Sept.1 at www.michigan.gov/dnrdrawings.

Most antlerless deer licenses will not be discounted this season. The cost is $15 for residents, $138 for nonresidents. Antlerless licenses will be discounted 40 percent, however, in the tuberculosis zone and in Kent County, where chronic wasting disease was detected last summer. Discounted licenses cost $9 for residents, $82.80 for nonresidents.

Four new DMUs were created this year. Newaygo County has been divided into northern and southern DMUs. In the eastern Upper Peninsula, former DMU 049 has been divided into eastern and western DMUs.

In addition, two new multi-county DMUs were created for private land in the Lower Peninsula. In the TB zone, DMU 487 includes Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda, Alcona and Iosco counties. In southern Michigan, DMU 486 includes all of Zone 3 except Monroe, Wayne, St. Clair and Kent counties. Private land licenses in multi-county DMUs are valid in any of those counties.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.

 

STATE FURLOUGH DAYS CONTINUE

Most Michigan state government offices will be closed several days throughout the summer to accommodate the temporary, unpaid furlough of state employees. The closures will apply to all general offices and services in state government. State offices will be closed on the following days:

- Friday, July 24

- Friday, August 7

- Friday, August 21

- Friday, September 4

Some state services, including those vital to public health and safety, are not impacted. Services that will be maintained without interruption are Michigan State Police road patrols, correctional facilities, state psychiatric hospitals, veterans' homes and youth facilities, emergency human services programs, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

The unpaid furlough days will save the state $21.7 million before September 30, the end of the state's fiscal year. Approximately 37,400 state employees will be furloughed for the six days while another 15,500 are exempt to maintain public health and safety services.