What's New with Senator Basham?
Senator Basham Announces 2009-2010 Legislative Priorities
As the regular session schedule resumes in the Michigan Legislature, State Senator Ray Basham has begun by re-introducing a number of measures he hopes to complete work on in the last two years of his final term. Many of these proposals the Senator has been working on are in direct response to concerns raised in his local communities.
The first measure introduced by Senator Basham, involves a package of bills dealing with imitation firearms. Senate Bills 40, 41, and 42 would make it illegal to brandish an imitation firearm as well as make it illegal to modify an imitation firearm to look like a real firearm or vice versa. An incident at the Southland Mall where police officers responded to calls from frantic shoppers about what was perceived to be an actual shoot out was the impetus for this legislation. These bills were formally read into the record and were referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
The second measure, Senate Bill 39, amends Michigan’s government immunity statute to clarify that a peace officer who comes to the aid of an individual that is threatened with injury or death while outside the geographical boundaries of his or her employing government agency is immune from tort liability. After learning about the case in the local paper, Senator Basham immediately sought legislation to rectify this problem. Senate Bill 39 was also referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The final measure being introduced is a two bill package resulting from a proposed strip club development in Lincoln Park. Although it is unconstitutional to ban this type of establishment altogether, Senate Bills 43 and 44 would allow local municipalities to require employees of adult entertainment establishments to obtain a local work permit to ensure they are of legal age for employment and would also create an adult entertainment facility fee of $3 per customer that would be deposited into the state domestic violence prevention and treatment fund. Senate Bills 43 and 44 were referred to the Senate Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs.
Other measures, including Senator Basham’s legislation for a comprehensive statewide smoke-free workplace law as well as bills carrying over from last session dealing with tracking devices, plastic bags use, identity theft, and whistle posts also remain priorities for the new legislative session.
Basham Renews Effort for Smokefree Workplace Legislation
During a recent Senate session, Senator Basham reintroduced legislation that will create smokefree workplaces in Michigan. The new bill is Senate Bill 114. During 2008, both the House and Senate passed versions of smokefree workplace legislation, but were not able to come to an agreement before the close of the 2007-2008 legislative session. Basham has been fighting for smokefree workplaces for over a decade and will continue to make this issue a priority as the new legislative year begins.
Basham recently announced that he will be creating a bicameral, bipartisan Smokefree Air Caucus and will ask all lawmakers to sign a pledge that they will work on the smoke-free workplaces issue. He also plans to share information with the public about who signs the pledge, as well as who does not, in an effort to hold the legislature accountable for protecting the health of Michigan workers.
This month marks the 45th anniversary of the Surgeon General’s report citing cigarette smoking as the principal cause of lung cancer and cancer of the larynx. Forty-five years after that initial announcement, we know even more about the dangers of smoking to our health. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at a greater risk of developing asthma, and the New York Times recently reported that chemicals clinging to hair and fabric from cigarette smoke also pose a danger to young children, even if the air is clear. In Colorado, after the city of Pueblo instituted smokefree workplaces, hospitalizations from heart attacks dropped 41% in three years.
Senator Basham Heralds U.S. Department of Transportation’s Approval to Move Forward on Detroit River International Crossing
Senator Ray Basham spoke out in strong support of the recent announcement that plans to build a second border crossing between Michigan and Ontario have received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to move forward on the project. A Senator from Wayne County and Democratic vice-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Basham has been significant proponents of this proposal.
The “Record of Decision” (ROD), signed by U.S. officials, represents the Detroit River International Crossing’s (DRIC) final environmental clearance to gain project approval, following four years of consultations, public hearings, traffic analyses, and environmental studies. Michigan may now begin right-of-way acquisition and construction planning for the bridge.
The United States and Canada share the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world and states in the Great Lakes region account for more than half of this trade-supporting 7.1 million U.S. jobs. Michigan accounts for more than half of the total U.S. trade with Canada. International trade and commerce supports more than 221,500 Michigan jobs; almost 60 percent of Michigan goods are exported to Canada. Activity on the new crossing on the Michigan side of the border will create 10,000 construction jobs and more than 30,000 indirect jobs during the construction period.
If completed, the project-including a plaza where tolls and U.S. border inspection activities will occur, and an interchange connecting it to I-75-would span nearly seven miles. Under current estimates, construction on the new crossing is expected to begin in 2010 and it should be open to traffic in 2013.
Environmental review for the U.S. side of the project, which concluded with the ROD signing, began March 24, 2003, with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. A similar review of environmental impacts on the river’s Canadian side conducted earlier this year by Ontario and Transport Canada is nearing completion. The process to complete DRIC’s federal environmental documentation lasted less than four years and included more than 100 meetings and public hearings.
Tune Into The Basham Report
February Topic:
Senator Basham interviews Linda Dickman, President of ChristNet, to discuss issues surrounding homelessness 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
Monday, February 16: Presidents Day Holiday – State Offices Closed
News You Can Use
STATE TAXPAYER GUIDES NOW AVAILABLE
With our varying tax laws under constant review and often changing, the task of sorting all the
information put before you at this time of year becomes more and more difficult.For the 2008 tax year, I hope to make that task a little easier by providing you with the “2009 Michigan Taxpayer’s Guide.” This booklet gives you the latest information on many of Michigan’s tax laws, in simple-to-understand English, put together in a single publication.
You can view this publication online by visiting the following website: www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/publications/TaxpayersGuide.pdf
FOOD SAFETY ALERTS AVAILABLE
With the recent peanut butter recall, it’s important to stay up to date on what foods are safe for you. The Michigan Department of Agriculture has recently unveiled a new program that alerts users about food-borne illness and product recalls available via text messages and e-mail. This new technology is vital in the effort to quickly inform citizens and consumers of products that may pose potential danger to themselves and their families. This is a terrific program that combines cost and labor efficiency with improved communication between state officials and Michigan citizens. Those wishing to subscribe to the alerts may do so at http://www.michigan.gov/mda.
“MONEY BACK IN MICHIGAN” CAN PUT MORE IN YOUR POCKET
Lower-income families can put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back into their wallets by making sure they file for all available credits and deductions during tax season. The 2009 edition of Money Back in Michigan by the Michigan League for Human Services encourages households to take advantage of seven federal and state tax credits and deductions. The packet also encourages tax-filers to use free tax preparation services and skip expensive "rapid refund" centers. New this year is the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, aimed at helping low-income working families.
The Money Back in Michigan packet also encourages tax-filers to use IRS-trained volunteers for help in filing taxes. Visit http://www.michiganEIC.org or call 1-800-552-1183 to find the closest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site.
CENSUS BUREAU HIRING FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS
The Census Bureau, a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is gearing up for the 2010 Census, the information the government uses to determine how to distribute $300 billion annually in government funding for community services. The U.S. Constitution requires a national Census every 10 years. The positions, which pay $10.50 to $17 hourly, include office clerk, recruiting assistant, administrative assistant, office operations supervisor, enumerator, crew leader, crew leader assistant and field operations supervisor.
Practice tests, job descriptions and applications are available online at http://www.2010censusjobs.gov.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ANNOUNCES TAX CREDITS
Buying energy efficient home improvements is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. This year, a tax credit will be available for those who purchase energy improvements for their homes. Also, if you installed a small windmill to generate energy for your home, you may qualify for a credit for up to $4,000 of the cost. Wind-produced energy was added for 2008 to the alternative energy sources under the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit.
It's not just energy efficiency in your home that can save you money on taxes. Also for 2009, Congress has added a tax credit for plug-in electric cars, up to $7,500. Visit http://www.irs.gov to view a list of 2008 and 2009 model year hybrid vehicles eligible for a tax credit, and the amount of the available credit.
STUDENTS, PARENTS ADVISED TO APPLY EARLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
If you or your teenager is heading to college this fall, many educational counselors are advising you to apply for financial aid as early and often as possible. Experts say competition for college financial aid will be tougher this year because of decreased endowments, fewer private student loans and increased unemployment.
This year more than ever, students should make sure they fill out the paperwork for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. The FAFSA form is needed to apply for state and federal grants and loans. It also is a must for the need-based scholarships and grants awarded by colleges and universities. The deadline for the FAFSA is March 1, but many types of financial aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
OFIR REMINDS CONSUMERS OF RIGHT TO APPEAL DENIAL OF HEALTH CLAIMS
The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) reminds Michigan consumers that under the Patient's Right to Independent Review Act (PRIRA) of 2000 they have the right to appeal the denial of health benefit claims, reduction in benefits or a refusal to provide health care coverage.
In 2008, one third of all consumers who exercised this right won their appeal or had their appeal resolved before a decision was issued. Of the 313 appeals filed with OFIR, 48 were decided in the consumer's favor and 56 were resolved between the consumer and their health carrier.
2008 PRIRA reviews included issues involving insurance coverage, medical necessity, out-of network services, amounts paid and experimental procedures. PRIRA appeals occur after a consumer exhausts their right to an internal appeal filed with their health carrier and a formal meeting between the carrier and the consumer.
PRIRA reviews determine whether an adverse determination by a health plan is consistent with the language of the policy or certificate of coverage under which an individual received health care benefits. The review also determines whether the policy provisions are consistent with state law.
In some cases, the adverse determinations are based on medical questions. There, the medical information is submitted to an independent medical review organization (IRO) where it is analyzed by a physician specializing in the relevant medical field. The IRO analysis and recommendation is then submitted to OFIR and made a part of the Commissioner's decision.
For a list of PRIRA cases visit:
www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-10555_20594_20596---,00.html
DTE ENERGY AND CONSUMERS ENERGY OFFER UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE
With winter upon us, it’s important that we begin preparing ourselves and our houses for the colder weather. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer a number of programs to help customers with their energy bills.
Payment assistance programs offered to customers include:
- Medical emergencies program to postpone shutoffs in the event of a medical issue;
- Shutoff protection plan to spread future bills out over the year and to include equal monthly payments on an unpaid balance in order to avoid a shutoff.
Many assistance programs are available by calling 2-1-1 at United Way. Programs that are available include:
- Low-income weatherization that includes caulking, weather stripping, and insulation;
- THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund, which helps people facing a shutoff and who have exhausted all federal and state funding programs. Visit: http://www.thawfund.org/.
You may also wish to take steps this season to reduce the amount of energy that your household uses in order to offset the usual increase in utility bills that comes with colder weather. The U.S. Department of Energy has developed a useful guide with suggestions on how to reduce your energy consumption that they have made available online at: http://www.energysavers.gov/.
There is also the State Emergency Relief Program to help with paying energy bills. This program can be accessed through your local Department of Human Services office or the Energy Assistance Hotline at 800-292-5650. Additional information about this program can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance/0,1607,7-215-33211-105989--,00.html.
