What's New with Senator Basham?
SENATE MUST ACT TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP MICHIGAN’S UNEMPLOYED
Senator Ray Basham again called on his Republican colleagues in the State Senate to act on House Bills 4785 and 4786, the unemployment modernization legislation, arguing that Michigan cannot afford to ignore the cry for help from its unemployed citizens one day longer. Basham said the Senate has an opportunity in front of it that can answer their call and provide them the support they desperately need to stay afloat in this difficult economy.
HBs 4785 and 4786 would provide nearly $140 million in federal funds for Michigan workers. The bills focus on providing benefits to unemployed workers who are enrolled in job retraining programs and part-time workers who were laid off. They have been languishing in the Senate for several months. The Senator added that by passing this legislation, legislators can help workers support their families while they are learning new skills and working whatever job they can find, be it part or full-time.
Basham explained that this plan is not only beneficial to our citizens who need these benefits as they search for a new job or are retraining for a new career, but the part-time provisions alone would extend benefits to more than 22,000 people. Additionally, every $1.00 of extended unemployment benefits generates $1.64 in economic activity as people have more money in their pocket to buy necessities, repair their cars and make other purchases they may have not been able to fit in their budgets. This trickle down effect would benefit businesses and is one of the most effective and quickest ways to strengthen the economy.
Recognizing the urgent situation the unemployed are facing, the Basham urged his Senate Republican colleagues to promptly pass this legislation. He pointed out that the Michigan House of Representatives saw this urgency months ago, along with twenty-seven other states who have realized the benefits to this legislation and granted it bipartisan support – states that have not seen job losses nearly as excessive as Michigan.
SENATE APPROVES BILL TO REGULATE OBSCENE BILLBOARDS
Senator Basham recently joined his colleagues in the Michigan Senate to approve Senator Hunter’s bill, Senate Bill 266, which would prohibit billboards that advertise a sexually-oriented business from containing anything other than the name and type of business, the location, and the hours of operation. Senate Bill 266 will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The bill also includes an amendment that addresses the possibility of a constitutional challenge. The bill now complies with the federal Lanham Act, and Michigan’s version of that act, and would only allow trademarked images to appear on posters. The Lanham Act, however, does not allow certain images, including those that are considered immoral, to be trademarked.
Tune Into The Basham Report
September Topic:
Senator Basham interviews Jim Laverty, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, to discuss the work being done by the Red Cross to serve citizens in Southeastern Michigan.
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, September 4: State Furlough Day -- State Offices Closed
Monday, September 7: Labor Day Holiday -- State Offices Closed
News You Can Use
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS TO COMMENT ON STREAMLINING STATE GOVERNMENT
Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. has created a work group focused on streamlining government and is offering citizens new options for participating in the on-going conversation on what services a streamlined government should provide. Since starting work on the government streamlining initiative earlier this year, citizens from across the state have taken time to share their ideas on the core functions of state government.
To enable more citizens to be part of this important conversation on Michigan’s future, the lieutenant governor has unveiled a new website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed devoted to the streamlining initiative. The new website (and links to the Facebook page and Twitter feed) can be found at: www.michigan.gov/streamlining.
MSHDA ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW PROGRAMS FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS
The Michigan State Housing and Development Authority announced the restoration of a federal tax credit program along with new programs that will give Michigan residents an unprecedented opportunity to purchase affordable homes through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The funding is provided by the federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).
The first program offers new enhancements to MSHDA’s existing Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA). Income limits have been increased to parallel single-family income limits, improving a potential homebuyer’s ability to qualify for DPA loans. Homebuyers may also take advantage of the first-time homebuyer $8,000 federal tax credit provided for under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The second program is the federal Michigan Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program that has been resurrected following a three-year hiatus and allows a tax credit of 20 percent of the interest a borrower pays during the term of a home mortgage.
Two other programs have also been created under the HERA that has allocated $10 million dollars through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program to assist new buyers purchasing foreclosed or abandoned homes. This effort will assist communities across the state with elimination of blight and rejuvenation of neighborhoods.
Full details of the varying programs are accessible at the MSHDA website: www.michigan.gov/mshda. Once at the site click on “Homeownership” on the left hand side of the home page. All eligibility requirements and program details are readily available.
MICHIGAN EXPANDS AUTOMATED TELEPHONE HOURS TO ACCEPT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
Jobless workers who are applying for unemployment benefits can now file their claims 24 hours a day Monday through Saturday by using an automated telephone system at the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The automated telephone system is now available from 7:00 a.m. Monday through 7:00 p.m. Saturday except the first Saturday of the month, the same hours as their online application system. Additionally, this recent enhancement allows workers to change their benefit payment option from debit card to direct deposit or vice versa at their convenience: whether it's at 8:00 p.m. or 2:00 a.m.
Callers can reach the automated system by dialing the UIA's toll-free telephone number 1-866-500-0017. The automated phone system does not have any UIA representatives available to help callers either before or after regular business hours. Representatives are only available during normal business hours - weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
MICHIGAN PROPERTY OWNERS CAN SUBMIT PHOTOS FOR MOVIE LOCATION DATABASE
Anyone who thinks their property would look good in the movies can now submit photos to the Michigan Film Office for their movie location database. Filmmakers frequently come into communities and look for local homes, businesses, and other locations to use in their movies. Go to http://www.michiganfilmoffice.org, click on the Submit Location tab, and post up to 10 jpeg-format photos of your business or residence free of charge. The film office approves all submissions before posting them on the website, and reserves the right to withhold or correct any submissions. There is no guarantee that a submission will be used. If you have any questions you can call (800) 477-3456 or email info@michigan.org.
7,000+ MICHIGANIANS ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL BENEFITS
A grant has been awarded to the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) and the MMAP program to find individuals that are eligible for federal benefits - that have not applied for them – and help them sign up. Four of the benefit programs include extra help for prescription drugs, qualified Medicare beneficiary (QMB), specified limited Medicare beneficiary (SLMB), and additional low-income Medicare beneficiary (ALMB).
If you think you might qualify or would like more information regarding these programs, call MMAP toll-free at (800)803-7174. MMAP is a free resource, funded by the federal government, designed to help older adults with any kind of health insurance questions or problems.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFERS $20 FIRST TIME CAMPERS PROGRAM PACKAGE
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has launched a new “First Time Campers” program. Available at 15 campgrounds, the program gives people two nights of camping and the vehicle pass for both days, and gear donated by Gander Mountain that includes a tent, two camp chairs, flashlight, lantern, camp stove, two fishing poles and four hot dog cookers for $20.
Fifteen state parks across the state are participating including locally the Holly State Recreation Area in Groveland Township, Bay City State Recreation Area in Bay City and Port Crescent State Park and Sleeper State Park in Huron County. The program runs through the end of September.
ONLINE GUIDE HELPS DISABLED DRIVERS FIND FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS
If you or someone you know has a disability, then they can get help pumping gas at some Michigan gas stations. The online resource, www.ThePumpGuide.com, can help disabled motorists find full service gas stations in the state. To qualify for refueling assistance, drivers are required to display a state-issued disability license plate or placard.
The Pump Guide is an online directory of gas stations statewide that offer travelers with disabilities full service at self-service prices. The site was created by the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, a nonprofit organization. The Pump Guide's online program allows users to: search for stations by county, identify stations near a specific location or by ZIP code, and plan a trip using directions that include participating stations along the route.
More than 900 gas stations statewide participate in The Pump Guide program. In addition to locations and hours, the guide also lists those stations that include car washes, ATMs, accessible restrooms and other amenities. The information in the guide comes from responses to an annual questionnaire that the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans Organization sends to gas stations.
OFIR ORDERS NATIONAL MORTGAGE COMPANY TO STOP DOING BUSINESS IN MICHIGAN
The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has ordered Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp., a national mortgage company, to immediately cease and desist from operating as a mortgage lender or servicer in Michigan. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) suspended Taylor Bean’s approval to make FHA loans and the company’s status as an approved Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae mortgage servicer was terminated due to questionable business practices and disclosures. Recently, federal investigators raided Taylor Bean’s headquarters in Ocala, FL.
As of December 31, 2008, Taylor Bean made nearly 4,000 mortgages in Michigan totaling over $500 million and serviced over 10,000 mortgages totaling over $1.2 billion.
Consumers can contact OFIR toll-free at 877-999-6442 or at www.michigan.gov/ofir.
OFIR also ordered Taylor Bean to file a report with the agency that provides a list of each loan currently being serviced and the name, address and telephone number of each Michigan consumer that closed a residential mortgage with the company following the time at which the company failed to be approved as a Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae mortgage servicer.
Failure to comply with OFIR’s order will subject Taylor Bean to one or more of the following:
- A civil penalty of not more than $3,000 for each violation, not to exceed a total of $30,000.
- Complete restitution to all persons in the state damaged by the violation.
To view OFIR’s order, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/Taylor_Bean_Whitaker_Cease_and_Desist_288537_7.pdf
