What’s New with Senator Basham?
Basham Continues Fight for All Michigan Workers, Calls for End to Exemptions in Smokefree Workplace Legislation
Senator Basham called on the Legislature to pass comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation in light of the House Regulatory Reform Committee’s recent passage of HB 4377. The bill would make some Michigan workplaces smokefree while exempting casinos and tobacco bars, with other exemptions yet to come, leaving thousands of Michigan employees still at high-risk for cancer, emphysema and other illnesses related to secondhand smoke exposure.
Recent studies show that nearly 2/3 of Michigan voters support a workplace ban that includes bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, Michigan remains one of the 13 states left that has yet to pass legislation to create smokefree workplaces. Thirty-seven states have already passed similar legislation to protect their workers form deadly exposure to secondhand smoke, including Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Just recently, North Carolina, the largest tobacco producing state in the country, passed a statewide smoking ban.
Senator Basham Helps Pass Bills to Hire Michigan Workers First
After years of Senate Democrats forcing the issue and pushing for an up or down vote, Senator Ray Basham recently voted to approve portions of the Hire Michigan First legislation. The plan will encourage companies to hire Michigan workers instead of workers from other states or countries by offering incentives. Democrats have been fighting for this legislation for years with several efforts to move the bills, repeated calls for action, and town hall meetings around the state.
The items in the Hire Michigan First package that were recently approved by the Senate would ensure that the millions of dollars Michigan spends in the form of tax breaks, abatements and other economic incentives in this state will be re-invested in our workers. The bills passed would also prohibit and punish those businesses that would contract with persons not authorized to work in the United States.
Senate Democrats also fought to include measures that would strengthen the bills. They sought to ensure that companies employing Michigan workers pay them a prevailing wage so that they are able to make enough money to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. Senate Democrats also tried to correct loopholes in the bills inserted by Republicans that will make it easier for companies to not hire Michigan workers.
Additionally, three bills in the package have yet to see any Senate action:
- Senate Bill 289, a bill that would change the current law requiring vendors who contract with the state to hire not less than 50% of Michigan residents to 100% of Michigan residents
- Senate Bill 288, a bill that would allow Michigan to cancel a contract or stop payment under a contract to a vendor who knowingly hires illegal aliens or who knowingly violates Michigan's Prevailing Wage Law.
- Senate Bill 291, a bill that requires vendors under state contract to report on the number of new jobs created under the contract and the number of Michigan residents hired on that project.
Basham Bill for Alternative State Park Funding Passes Committee, Moves to Full Senate
Senator Basham reported that bipartisan legislation he sponsored together with Senator Patty Birkholz, which would reduce that annual state park entrance fee for Michigan residents from $24 to $10 through an alternative funding plan, recently passed the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.
Basham explained that under Senate Bill 388 and Senate Bill 389, a new Recreation Passport would be created utilizing Michigan license plates as a replacement for the current state park window stickers. Residents would choose whether to pay $10 as part of their annual vehicle registration to support state parks. By doing so they would gain access to the parks and boat launches for the year.
This proposal was based on the consensus recommendation of the Citizens’ Committee for Michigan State Parks for long-term funding for the state park system. It would provide a long-term funding source for state parks, local recreation programs, boating access sites and non-motorized forest recreation areas. The vehicle registration fee concept is modeled after the state park funding system in Montana, which was implemented in 2004 and has enjoyed a 75 percent participation rate.
According to the Senator, Michigan’s state parks are sorely under funded and in great need of capital improvements because their general tax dollar support has been all but eliminated. He added that the parks have had to rely on the park entrance sticker fees, which have not been sufficient to meet their operational and infrastructure needs. As a result, park roads and bridges are is serious disrepair, leaving some parks inaccessible, and buildings have collapsed.
Although this new Recreation Passport fee for Michigan residents would not only be voluntary but also lower than the current fee, it is expected that many more residents will opt to pay the $10 in support of Michigan’s state parks when they renew their vehicle registration then those that currently only purchase a pass when they actually attend one of the parks. Out of state visitors will still be required to purchase either a day pass for $8 or an annual pass for $29.
While this legislation continues to be fine tuned, it is expected to be taken up by the full Senate for a vote in the next few weeks.
Basham Tracking Device Legislation Approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Senator Ray Basham reported that the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 325, his tracking device legislation. The bill would amend the penal code to make it a misdemeanor for a person to install a tracking device in another individual's vehicle without their knowledge and consent.
Law enforcement agents brought the need for this legislation to Basham’s attention after they were contacted by an elected official who took her vehicle in for repairs and a mechanic discovered that a tracking device had been installed. Since introducing the legislation, the Senator has also learned of a constituent whose daughter had a near fatal experience with a person who used a tracking device to locate her.
Under current law it is not a crime to secretly place a tracking device on someone else’s vehicle. However, Basham explained that tracking a person’s vehicle is an enormous violation of their privacy. He referred to it as electronic stalking and feels strongly that individuals should be protected from it.
Basham’s legislation includes exemptions for police officers, professional investigators and bail agents, as well as for devices that track vehicles to provide mechanical, directional, stolen vehicle assistance, and weather or traffic information. The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Senate Approves Stimulus Funds to Improve Education, Energy Efficiency, and Help Unemployed Workers
Senator Basham recently joined with his colleagues to pass stimulus supplemental funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The supplemental matches the State Budget Office’s request of $218.1 million and now heads to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
The supplemental stimulus will include funds for the following:
The Department of Education will receive $24.5 million for educational technology grants, with all the money to be distributed under the Enhancing Education Through Technology portion of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Development will receive a total of $193.1 million, with $82.1 million going towards the state energy program for energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities for state buildings, energy audits or homes and businesses.
The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program will receive $26.6 million for energy efficiency projects that reduce energy and fossil fuel consumption.
The Unemployment Insurance Agency will receive $84.4 million to modernize their system through information technology upgrades to keep up with the growing demand.
Senator Basham Announces $210,000 for Allen Park Company
State Senator Ray Basham recently announced that the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board has approved a Technology Collaboration Credit of up to $210,000 for a new joint venture between Allen Park’s Grindstone Capital and iTrack from Oxford. The companies plan to invest $700,000 in the project, creating up to 35 jobs.
Grindstone Capital, an investment entity with common ownership in Royal Oak Industries, a leading supplier of precision machine components, will partner with iTrack, a company researching and developing a Local Positioning and Tracking System (LPTS) to continue to develop and commercialize the LPTS system, which is essentially a tracking system for first responders. The project is expected to create up to 35 high paying technical and administrative jobs within the next five years.
MEGA also recently approved 15 other projects, which will generate more than 3,900 new jobs, retain another 360 and bring more than $103 million in new investment to communities across the state. The projects include an expansion by a company founded by former Pfizer employees, a start-up manufacturer of small-scale wind turbines, and a brownfield redevelopment that will transform an abandoned site into a new center of economic growth and activity.
Tune Into The Basham Report
June Topic:
Senator Basham interviews Jane Marshall, Executive Director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, to discuss the importance of food banks and their fight to prevent hunger among Michigan’s people.
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
End to Grosse Ile Woman’s Alleged Investment Scam
The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has ordered a Grosse Ile woman to cease and desist from the sale of unregistered investment products. The agency determined that Rita Gosselin and her company, RG Properties and Investments, LLC, were not licensed to sell securities products in Michigan and the products sold were not registered with the state.
Earlier this year, OFIR staff received information from Southgate police that Gosselin was selling unregistered real estate investments in exchange for fraudulent promissory notes.
If Michigan investors have any questions about an investment firm, professional or product, please contact OFIR toll-free at (877) 999-6442 or online at www.michigan.gov/ofir.
A copy of OFIR’s cease and desist order can be found here.
Pfizer Launches Free Medicines Program For Newly Unemployed Americans
Pfizer Inc announced today that it will launch an innovative program to help eligible unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their health insurance maintain access to their Pfizer medicines for free. The inspiration for the new program, called MAINTAIN™ (Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need), was generated by Pfizer employees who were witnessing friends, family and neighbors struggle to make ends meet after losing their jobs.
The program, which applies regardless of prior family income, will be open for enrollment through December 31, 2009 and applies to eligible Americans who have become unemployed since January 1, 2009. It is designed to help recently unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their insurance and who are taking Pfizer medicines to continue treatment for free for up to one year. Nearly 46 million Americans lack health insurance coverage, and that number is increasing as unemployment rates reach their highest levels in 25 years.
Pfizer employees proposed the idea of MAINTAIN to the company’s senior leadership team just within the last month. Pfizer employees also asked to be able to do their part by donating their own money to the program, and the Pfizer Foundation will match their donations.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, please visit www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com or call 1-866-706-2400.
Financial Federal Credit Union Acquires All Deposits of Rouge Employees Credit Union in Dearborn
Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) Commissioner Ken Ross recently announced that all of the deposits and loans of Rouge Employees Credit Union in Dearborn, Michigan, have been acquired by Chief Financial Federal Credit Union (formerly Chief Pontiac Federal Credit Union) in Oakland County. All members of Rouge Employees Credit Union will become members of Chief Financial Federal Credit Union immediately and will have uninterrupted access to their funds.
Rouge Employees Credit Union members will automatically become members of Chief Financial Federal Credit Union. Rouge Employees Credit Union's office opened May 18, 2009, as a branch of Chief Financial Federal Credit Union. Depositors of Rouge Employees Credit Union can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the credit union will continue to be processed. Members with loans should continue to make their payments as usual.
Rouge Employees Credit Union operated one branch in Dearborn. The credit union was chartered as a Michigan credit union on February 11, 1964, and was closed when the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) was appointed receiver on petition to the Ingham County Circuit Court by Commissioner Ross.
Members with questions about deposits with Rouge Employees Credit Union can call the branch in Dearborn at 313-846-7300, or may contact Chief Financial Federal Credit Union at 248-335-9493. Members with questions about today's transaction or who would like more information about the closing of Rouge Employees Credit Union can call the NCUA toll-free at their Consumer Assistance Hotline 800-755-1030, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time or by visiting www.ncua.gov.
Free RX Card
The Michigan Retailers Association is offering a new program that would help people save money on prescription drugs. The Free Rx Card is available and free to everyone – there is no age, income or other eligibility requirements. Cardholders will be able to receive discounts averaging 35 percent off the cost of a prescription, with savings of up to 75 percent off generic prescriptions.
More than 2,000 pharmacies in Michigan - including all major chains and many independents – are participating in the program.
Anyone can obtain a card by visiting the Michigan Retailers Association website at www.retailers.com and downloading a card. The website also can be used to locate a nearby participating pharmacy and to determine the discounted price.
Michigan Public Service Commission Issues Consumer Alert on Available Credits
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has issued a consumer alert on credits that electric customers may be eligible for after experiencing lengthy or frequent electric outages. Under certain conditions, residential customers could receive a $25 credit. Commercial and other customers also have credits available to them based on their minimum bill. In all cases, customers should contact their electric utility to request the credit.
The MPSC’s service quality and reliability standards include rules providing for outage service credits. Under these rules, there are three types of outage conditions that may qualify for a credit: catastrophic condition outages, normal condition outages, and frequent outages. Details on the rules are available in the consumer alert, available on the MPSC’s website: www.michigan.gov/mpscalerts.com (click on electric).
2009 Statewide Construction Maps Now Available
The annual state highway construction map is now available from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The free guide, called "Paving the Way," is updated each year to help motorists locate major road and bridge projects across the state. The 2009 map will be available at MDOT's Transportation Service Centers and region offices, as well as at Travel Michigan's Welcome Centers. The map is also available for viewing at state rest areas.
Information on the map is current at the time of printing. Motorists are encouraged to check MDOT’s frequently updated list of lane closures on the web at http://www.michigan.gov/drive. The web site features an interactive map showing current and planned construction projects throughout the state, as well as images from traffic cameras.
To request copies of "Paving the Way," contact the MDOT Office of Communications in Lansing at (517) 373-2160.
