What's New with Senator Basham?
Basham Joins Senate Democrats to Help Pass K-12 School Budget
Senator Basham recently joined with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to show support for Michigan schools and the students who are the future of this state by passing the 2008-2009 K-12/School Aid Budget. The budget included an increase in per pupil funding ranging from $56 to $112 on a sliding scale.
These increases will help ensure that every school in Michigan starts off the school year fully funded and prepared for a successful year. Providing the funds to properly educate our future generations and help students prepare for a 21st century economy is ultimately investing in our future and the future of our state.
Other highlights of the FY 2009 School Aid Budget include a $10 million increase in funding for Early Childhood programs, and a $1 million increase for Child and Adolescent Health Centers.
To learn more about the School Aid Budget, visit: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1022.
Basham Hails Extension of Unemployment Benefits
Senator Basham praised Governor Granholm’s action to extend unemployment benefits to Michigan residents for another 13 weeks. These additional benefits come from the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program and do not affect the state’s budget. Sen. Basham is the sponsor of Senate Bill 86, a bill he introduced in January of 2007 that would have increased the compensation period for jobless workers to 39 weeks. He was also in constant contact with Michigan’s federal legislators calling for assistance for unemployed workers at the national level such as this.
“Too many hard working individuals have exhausted their unemployment benefits and still have not been able to find jobs,” said Basham. “Times are tough, and no one knows it like the people of Michigan. We need to help our citizens get back on their feet, and a few more weeks of financial security could make all the difference in the world.”
Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, reaching a seasonally-adjusted 8.5% in May. This is the highest unemployment rate for the state in 16 years, and statistics show approximately 69,000 jobs were lost in the state over the past year. With more unemployed residents and fewer jobs to go around, the extended benefit period offers some relief for struggling Michigan families.
An agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor was signed last allowing Michigan to participate in the federal EUC program. This agreement put Michigan residents on schedule to receive additional unemployment benefits beginning the week of July 20.
Tune Into The Basham Report
August 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
Local Job Opportunities
Future Tool & Machine Inc., a full service design and manufacturing company in Romulus, recently announced that they are hiring for both skilled and unskilled positions. Anyone interested in these available opportunities can contact Future Tool & Machine directly. Their contact information is below:
Future Tool & Machine Inc.
28900 Goddard Rd
Romulus, MI 48174
Tel. - (734) 946-2100
Fax - (734) 946-0922
E-mail - info@futuretool.com
Michigan State Housing Development Authority Introduces Property Improvement Program
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has recently launched a new program that offers low interest home improvement loans to single-family homeowners with low-to-moderate income, and landlords renting to low-to-moderate income tenants. Home improvements include repairing or replacing a roof, putting up new siding, adding insulation, furnace replacement, remodeling a kitchen, and other similar improvements.
As energy costs continue to rise, this program is an affordable way to help you make improvements on your home that will help increase energy efficiency and reduce utility bills. These loans are provided through MSHDA-approved participating lenders and community agents. For more information and to check your eligibility, you can visit MSHDA’s website at http://www.michigan.gov/mshda and then click ‘Home Improvement.’
New Opportunity for Homeowners Having Trouble Selling
Public Act 96 of 2008, passed earlier this year, created a new tax break for people who have moved to a new principal residence but have been unable to sell their previous principal residence. Under the new law, the owner is allowed to maintain a principal residence exemption (PRE) on their former home for up to 3 years if the home is vacant and for sale. To claim this tax break, the owner must file a conditional rescission form with their local assessor. Unfortunately, the bill was not signed until April of this year and that left a narrow window for taxpayers to file before the May 1 deadline in order to claim this benefit for 2008.
The good news is that an amendment was inserted into Senate Bill 1239 (PA 198 of 2008) which allows homeowners to appeal to the July and December Boards of Review to ask to maintain their PRE for 2008. Homeowners in this situation can visit www.michigan.gov/treasury for a form that can be filed with their local government in order to be considered at the December board of review. Taxpayers should contact their local government to be sure they know when the board of review meets.
The ability to appeal to the board of review is for 2008 only. Homeowners will need to apply to keep their PRE by December 31 of the previous year. Homeowners can already file the form for 2009 with the local unit of government.
OFIR Warns Michigan Consumers of Fake Auto Insurance Policies
The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) today warned Michigan consumers that they may have unknowingly purchased bogus automobile insurance certificates from Isaac Chandler of Comstock Park. On Friday, OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross issued a cease and desist order against Chandler for acting without an insurance producer’s license as required under the Michigan Insurance Code.
According to the Walker Police Department, Chandler may have sold as many as 500 fake auto insurance certificates to consumers across the state for $40 under the company names Citizens Insurance, Meridian Insurance and Nationwide Mutual Insurance.
Insurance producers (agents) in Michigan are required to have a license on display in their offices and carry a wallet-sized copy of their license on their person. Consumers are advised prior to purchasing insurance to ask the individual to show a copy of his or her license.
Consumers are also urged to contact OFIR toll-free at 877-999-6442 if they believe they may have bought a policy from Isaac Chandler or if they have any questions about an insurance agent or product. Consumers can check to see if an insurance agent is licensed to do business in Michigan by visiting here.
Walker police arrested Chandler in April for selling fake auto insurance certificates. He pled guilty to six felony counts last week and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Digital TV Converter Box Bargains
As you may already know, February 17, 2009 is the date of the nationwide change to digital television--and it’s sooner than you think! This is a problem for many people who use an old-style antenna and do not have a TV set fed by cable service, satellite dish or telephone provider and will not be able to get a signal until they buy a new TV or a converter box.
Converter boxes will cost $50-$70, but every household can receive two coupons good for a $40 discount by calling the info line sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters at (toll-free) (888) 388-2009 or visiting their website at dtvanswers.com.
