What's New with Senator Basham?
Basham Scores Major Victory in Fight against Pollution in Downriver Area
Senator Ray Basham’s fight against environmental pollution in Romulus and the entire Downriver area has culminated in a major blow to known polluter Environmental Disposal Systems (EDS). Basham announced that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) initiated action to revoke EDS's state operating license.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 recently terminated the Underground Injection Control (UIC) permits for the hazardous waste injection wells at EDS. Without the UIC permits, the EDS facility is no longer in compliance with the requirements of the state operating license, allowing the DEQ to proceed with revocation of their state permits.
In 2006, EDS began accepting a variety of liquid hazardous wastes from industrial companies and injecting them into a layer of rock nearly a mile underground. The EPA permits had allowed the Birmingham company to inject the waste into two underground disposal wells. After less than a year of operation, DEQ inspectors found a leak in the surface piping of one well during an October 2006 visit and shut down the facility. Subsequent EPA inspections confirmed the leak and identified numerous other violations of the permit conditions. Shutting down this company and putting an end to their bad environmental practices has been a top priority for Sen. Basham since he first entered the Michigan Legislature, and his efforts have been assisted at the federal level by Congressman Dingell.
Sen. Basham Prepared to Introduce Legislation Regarding Imitation Firearms
Working closely with the City of Taylor and the Taylor Police Department, State Senator Ray Basham is prepared to introduce legislation in an upcoming session on the improper use and alteration of imitation firearms. The proposed bills would prohibit the brandishing of imitation firearms and prohibit the altering of an imitation firearm to make it look like a real firearm or vice versa.
According to Basham, the bills were developed in response to an incident earlier this year at the Southland Mall where several young men were shooting altered air soft handguns at each other in the parking lot. Shoppers coming out of the mall were taking cover because they legitimately believed a real shoot out was occurring. Even the responding police officers initially thought the weapons were real. Fortunately they did not use deadly force on the young men, but the situation could have ended tragically.
Although current law prohibits the brandishing of a firearm, there is nothing in the statute that prohibits the brandishing of an imitation firearm. In addition, the law is silent with regard to the altering of an imitation or real firearm. Federal law requires that imitation firearms be marked with an orange tip at the end of the muzzle.
Upon introduction, Basham’s legislation will likely be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is hoping for action on the bills this fall.
Basham, Senate Democrats Push for Action on Energy Package to Create Michigan Jobs
Following a recent announcement by Colorado’s Governor that a company will create 1,350 new jobs for manufacturing wind turbine blades, Senate Democrats are calling for swift action on Michigan’s energy legislation. More than twenty other states have passed similar legislation with strong renewable portfolio standards and are enjoying the outcome through increased jobs and businesses.
Both the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives have passed versions of the renewable energy package, however, there has not been a resolution and the legislation continues to await a compromise. A strong energy package that included an aggressive renewable portfolio standard could mean thousands of new jobs for Michigan. It’s time the Legislature put partisan differences aside and work together to do the right thing for Michigan.
More on the Colorado announcement can be found here.
Basham Announces Energy Grants to Boost Efficiency, Assist Low-Income Residents
Sen. Ray Basham announced recently that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has awarded $1,756,500 in grant funding to organizations in his district to help low-income residents with rising energy costs and improve energy efficiency in homes, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
The following MPSC grants were awarded in the Downriver area:
- Downriver Community Conference -- $600,000 to provide energy assistance for low-income households.
- United Way Community Services for Southeastern Michigan -- $750,000 for matching grants to non-profit facilities for energy efficiency upgrades, energy efficiency audits, and energy efficiency weatherization education.
- Wyandotte Municipal Services -- $356,500 to distribute 100,000 Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) to Wyandotte households through an aggressive education/outreach effort and light bulb exchange program. This money also goes to sponsor a pilot program that will encourage the purchase of energy efficient lighting upgrades by Wyandotte’s commercial business owners.
- City of Southgate Veterans Memorial Library -- $50,000 to construct and operate a solar photovoltaic system to power the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library to promote the use of renewable energy in Southeastern Michigan.
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor and Economic Growth that works to grow Michigan's economy and enhance the quality of life of its communities by assuring safe and reliable energy, telecommunications, and transportation services at reasonable prices. For a complete list of energy grants awarded by the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc.
Tune Into The Basham Report
September Topic:
Senator Basham interviews James Clift, Policy Director for the Michigan Environmental Council, regarding the Great Lakes Compact and new Michigan laws to protect our valuable water resources.
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.
News You Can Use
Website Helps Voters Learn About Candidates, Issues
The recently upgraded Secretary of State website offers Michigan voters a vast amount of information about voting. Be ready for the November 4 general election by making sure you are registered to vote and by learning more about the issues. The Voter Information Center website offers candidate information links, poll information and frequently asked questions, descriptions of voting equipment, and the opportunity to learn about statewide ballot proposals.
Voting is a civil right that every U.S. citizen should exercise. It is your chance to be heard, to become involved, and to take a stand on the issues you feel strongly about.
To visit the Michigan Voter Information Center website, visit: www.michigan.gov/vote.
$46.4 Million Still Unclaimed in Economic Stimulus Payments
According to the Michigan League of Human Services, more than 150,000 eligible households in Michigan have yet to file their federal tax returns to cash in on the economic stimulus payments. The group includes disabled veterans, others with disabilities and low-income seniors who otherwise would not have to file a tax return. To receive the $300 stimulus payment ($600 for a married couple) a tax return is required.
The deadline for filing has been extended to October 15th. A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is encouraging those who have yet to file to do as soon as possible. In Michigan, the unclaimed payments total $46.4 million, according to the IRS. The IRS has planned to send one more notice to those who haven't filed.
To find free help in filing a tax return, call 2-1-1 or 1-800-552-1183. In Wayne County alone, there are still 43,458 unclaimed payments to be made.
Are You, or a Friend or Family Member Facing the Possibility of Mortgage Foreclosure?
Need Help? Got Questions? Don't Delay! Wayne County Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP) offers FREE legal intervention, as well as counseling, education and other tools for saving a home or creating a dignified exit strategy from a home that is at or in foreclosure. Wayne County is also linked to a powerful collaboration network of HUD- and MSHDA-certified counseling agencies to analyze cases and recommend viable options to avoid mortgage foreclosure.
Visit the MFPP website at fightmortgageforeclosure.com or call (877) 693-6199 or (313) 833-2948 to make an appointment to come in and talk to a housing counselor or ask for a referral to a local housing counselor near you.
Wayne County's Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program Helping those in need now!
Fraudulent Website Charging Users for Unemployment Benefits
An unofficial and fraudulent unemployment insurance agency website has been discovered that attempts to scam unknowing citizens applying for unemployment. The website is charging $19.95 plus a bi-weekly fee for people to get their unemployment benefits processed. Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency does not charge residents to apply for or collect unemployment benefits.
According to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) there is only one official website where unemployment workers can apply for unemployment benefits. This website is the State’s Unemployment Insurance Agency, which can be found at www.michigan.gov/uia. The fraudulent website is designed to look official and likely also to facilitate identity theft. As always, individuals need to be very careful when entering their personal information online.
Mortgage Service Companies Offering Help
According to a recent Associated Press article, the U.S. housing market continued to struggle last month as foreclosures grew by more than 50 percent compared with June just one year ago. One out of every 501 U.S. households has received a foreclosure filing in the last month, and Michigan has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. With weak housing sales and decreased home values financially-strapped homeowners have been left with few options to avoid foreclosure.
To address this housing crisis, six of the big mortgage servicing companies (Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, Countrywide, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo) have announced a program called “Hope Now” that may help their customers facing foreclosure. Hope Now has been working to create a unified, coordinated plan to reach and help as many homeowners as possible. To take part in this program, homeowners need to contact their loan servicing company within 10 days of receiving their letter regarding foreclosure proceedings. To be eligible, properties cannot be a part of a bankruptcy filing or be facing a foreclosure sale within 30 days. Investment properties or vacant homes also do not qualify for the program and borrowers must be willing to seek financial counseling.
To find out if you qualify or for more information, call (888) 995-4673, or visit this website: www.hopenow.com.
How Much Does It Cost You to Commute?
Ever wonder how much it costs you to commute for a month? Visit the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) website to calculate how much you spend driving to your job each month. The website can be found here.
With gas prices high and many people watching their wallets now more than ever, you may want to consider ridesharing. Local Rideshare Offices (LRO) help commuters find vacancies in existing carpools, or match people who hope to form a new carpool group. This is a great way to save money at a time when consumers are struggling the most.
Visit MDOT’s website to learn more about rideshare opportunities here.
Deadline to Apply for Michigan Home Heating Credit Approaches, Says MPSC
Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu recently noted that the September 30 deadline to apply for Michigan’s Home Heating Credit in 2008 is quickly approaching. The credit assists low-income people with winter energy bills.
The Home Heating Credit is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. The form (1040CR-7) may be obtained by calling 1-800-827-4000. It is also available on the Department of Treasury’s Web site: michigan.gov/heatingassistance.
Eligible customers must have their homestead in Michigan, must own or rent the home in which they live, and income must fall within certain limits, as the following chart indicates:
| Number of Exemptions* | Maximum Income |
| 1 | $11,243 |
| 2 | $15,072 |
| 3 | $18,900 |
| 4 | $22,729 |
| 5 | $26,558 |
| 6 | $30,386 |
*Note: Add $3,829 for each additional exemption. Special exemptions are available if you are deaf, blind, a person with a disability or age 65 or older.
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.
Public Service Commission Offers Tips on Staying Safe after a Power Outage
The Michigan Public Service Commission and Bureau of Fire Services of Michigan recently released tips on how to stay safe while the power is out. Many people use portable gasoline-powered engines that generate power, pump water, or provide other essential services during a power outage. However, these devices produce significant amounts of carbon monoxide. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s US Fire Administration has reported that carbon monoxide poisoning claims approximately 480 lives and sends another 15,200 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment every year.
The Michigan Public Service Commission offers an informative consumer alert on how to purchase the right generator along with safety tips on proper use here. These tips include:
- Never operate a generator indoors or in an unventilated area. The exhaust contains deadly carbon monoxide fumes.
- Do not store gasoline for a generator indoors. Gasoline should be stored in an approved, non-glass safety container. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator. Make sure you have enough fuel to run a generator for an extended period of time - during a power outage, gas stations may be closed.
- Never refuel a generator while it is running. Shut it off and let it cool for 10 minutes before refueling to minimize the danger of fire.
- Parts of the generator are very hot during operation. Avoid contact - especially with the muffler area. Keep children away at all times.
- Protect the generator from rain and other moisture sources to prevent electrocution.
- When not in use, store the generator in a dry location such as a garage or shed.
