What's New with Senator Basham?

Senator Basham Honored by American Cancer Society for Smokefree Workplace Efforts

Senator Basham was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society with their Excalibur Award for his ongoing efforts in the Legislature to make Michigan workplaces smokefree. Basham was honored at a ceremony at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in Wyandotte.

Sen. Basham has been fighting to protect the health of Michigan workers for more than ten years. The Excalibur Award recognizes his advocacy efforts to pass legislation making all Michigan workplaces smokefree. He has been a staunch supporter of smokefree workplaces and has fought against any exemptions or exceptions that would put any Michigan workers at risk.

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. Even North Carolina, the largest tobacco producing state in the county, recently passed a statewide smoking ban.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For more information about the American Cancer Society, please call 1-800-ACS-2345.

 

Basham Joins Senate Democrats to Fight to Secure Nearly $140 Million for Michigan’s Unemployed Workers

In June Senator Basham joined with other Senate Democrats to fight for Michigan workers as they moved to take up the House-passed unemployment modernization legislation to receive $138.9 million from federal funds. Senate Republicans opposed this effort to provide assistance for displaced workers throughout Michigan.

Included in the two-bill modernization package, House Bill 4785 would allow individuals enrolled in a state-approved jobs training program to receive unemployment insurance benefits for an extra 26 weeks. House Bill 4786 would allow individuals working between 16 and 40 hours per week to become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits beginning after January 1, 2011. Senators Tupac Hunter and Deb Cherry have introduced identical Senate bills that have not been acted upon by the Republican majority.

According to recent figures released by the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Michigan’s unemployment rate jumped 1.2 percentage points in May, making Michigan’s unemployment rate 14.1 percent, the highest in the nation. Michigan has lost 121,000 manufacturing jobs since the beginning of the year and many unemployed workers do not even show up on the unemployment rolls anymore because they have exhausted existing benefits.

Michigan Senate Democrats recently launched a website calling for action on this plan that eleven other states have already approved to receive the funding allocated to them. The site, www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/helpmiworkers , encourages visitors to sign a petition and contact Republican Senators to demand support for the legislation.

 

Michigan State Senate Passes its Versions of 2009-2010 Budgets

Senator Basham reported the Michigan Senate has passed its versions of all the 2009-2010 state budgets, preparing the bills for final deliberations in conference committee. The Senator opposed the passage of a number of these budgets due to philosophical differences about what programs should be cut.

The largest budgets -- Corrections, School Aid and Community Health -- were also the most contentious, passing largely on party line votes. Basham staunchly opposed cuts to the foundation allowance in the School Aid budget and the elimination of funding for the school readiness, special and vocational education, and declining enrollment programs. These cuts would have severe impacts on the school districts in the 8th District and throughout the Downriver region. He also fought against disproportionate funding reductions in the Community Health budget to the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Authority, as well as the substantial cuts in the Medicaid reimbursement rates for health care providers. Democratic amendments to restore all of these cuts were defeated.

There was much deliberation during the passage of the Human Services budget due to critical cuts in the funding for welfare grants and child day care rates. Basham and his Democratic colleagues argued these cuts made it more difficult not only for people to find a job (due to the reductions in day care assistance) but to just survive. The Higher Education and General Government budgets were also the topic of much debate as they contained dramatic reductions in funding for student financial aid and revenue sharing for local municipalities, respectively.

In an effort to further reduce the size of state government and ensure it is as efficient as possible, the Department of History, Arts and Libraries was eliminated and the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality were combined into a single, new Department of Conservation. This new department would no longer be responsible for the regulation of wetlands in Michigan as funding for this program was eliminated in the budget. In addition to the loss of the wetlands program, concerns were raised about the shortage of funding to maintain the remaining programs the Department is responsible for. Cuts in funding to Veterans Service Organizations in the Military and Veterans Affairs budget also raised concerns, as did the new Michigan State Police Headquarters in the MSP budget.

The remaining budgets that passed were Agriculture; Community Colleges; Education; Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; Judiciary and Transportation. All in all these Senate proposed budgets represent general fund spending reductions of nearly $1 billion from the current fiscal year appropriations.

 

 

Tune Into The Basham Report

July Topic:

Senator Basham interviews State Representative Doug Geiss, the first-term Representative from the 22nd District (Taylor and Romulus), on a variety of local and state issues.

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

Thursday, July 2: State Furlough Day -- Senate Offices Closed

Friday, July 3: Independence Day Holiday -- State Offices Closed

 

 

News You Can Use

Having Trouble Paying Your Mortgage? Free Help is Available.

Beginning July 5, 2009, Michigan Law REQUIRES ALL LENDERS TO WORK WITH YOU TO AVOID FORECLOSURE.

1. OPEN ALL MAIL FROM YOUR LENDER. You will receive a notice in the mail stating your RIGHT to work with your lender and a housing counselor.

2. CALL A CERTIFIED, NON-PROFIT HOUSING COUNSELOR OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THE NOTICE. You will have 14 days from the date the notice was mailed to contact a housing counselor or your local legal aid office:

  • State of Michigan Save the Dream: 866-946-7432
  • HOPE Hotline: 888-995-HOPE (4673)
  • United Way: 2-1-1
  • Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Project: http://miforeclosure.mplp.org

3. Once you’ve contacted a housing counselor, YOU WILL HAVE 90 DAYS TO WORK WITH YOUR LENDER TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT ON YOUR LOAN.

BEWARE OF FORECLOSURE SCAMS

  • ALWAYS contact a HUD or State of Michigan certified housing counselor for highly qualified, FREE help.
  • ALWAYS contact your local legal aid office for FREE legal aid.
  • NEVER pay a fee in exchange for help working with your lender.

 

Be Vigilant to Fight Abuse of Seniors

When an older American’s bank account is cleaned out by the person who’s entrusted with his or her care, we seldom hear about it. And yet, 1 in 5 older adults has been abused, neglected or exploited.

You can help combat older adult abuse, improve their quality of life and allow them to live as independently as possible.

In a growing number of cases, victims’ relatives are exploiting them financially. Abusers may write checks to themselves out of their mother’s account or clean out their father’s life savings. They may use a credit card without permission or cash a check and pocket the money. Often, victims – too embarrassed to admit they were taken advantage of or who may live alone – don’t report it. And when it’s a loved one that’s abusing them, it’s even tougher.

Some signs to look for include missing bank cards, valuables that disappear without an explanation and “lost” checkbooks. If you see it, or suspect it’s going on, report it through the adult abuse toll-free hotline – 800-996-6228 – or at your local Department of Human Services office.

Last year, DHS received more than 1,400 financial exploitation referrals. Adult Services’ investigations begin within 24 hours after the complaint is received. If the alleged victim is in imminent danger, the Department will move quickly to address their needs.

When abuse is documented in an investigation, DHS can help victims put stop-gap measures in place to protect them. That could mean revoking a family member’s power of attorney, filing an alert with a credit card company or filing a police complaint.

 

Remember to Vote August 4

Remember to cast your ballot in the Tuesday, August 4, 2009 primary election.

To find out more about elections in your community, visit the Secretary of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or check with your county clerk’s office. The Michigan Voter Information Center is another helpful resource. It helps you determine whether you’re registered to vote and it will direct you to your polling location. The Web site is www.Michigan.gov/vote.

The deadline for registering to vote in this election is Tuesday, July 7. Voters who need to have their absentee ballot mailed to them must apply no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. on Monday, August 3.

Please remember that Michigan has a voter identification requirement. You will be asked to present photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver’s license or identification card. If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID or didn’t bring it with you, you can still vote. You will just need to sign a brief affidavit stating that you’re not in possession of a photo ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

 

‘Park and Read’ Program Offers Free Park Passes for Michigan Readers

Looking for ways to save some green while being green? Then visit your local library and a Michigan state park or recreation area this summer. The Department of Natural Resources announced they have partnered with the Library of Michigan, Macy's, and the Hammock Company to create a new GO-Get Outdoors "Park and Read" program this year.

The Park and Read program allows library cardholders at participating public libraries around the state the ability to check out a one-day pass into any Michigan state park or recreation area in lieu of the $6 resident daily motor vehicle entrance permit. Many parks will also have a hammock available at no charge for Park and Read participants to borrow while on-site for the day so they can fully enjoy a great book in Michigan's great outdoors.

Passes are valid for seven days from the day you check out a book and can be used for a one-day pass at any one of Michigan's 98 state parks or recreation areas. Hammocks are subject to availability and the program is available now through September 25, 2009.

 

Tobacco Quit Line Back on Line

The Michigan Tobacco Quit Line phones are back in service after they were mostly shut down for nearly three months due to a high volume of calls and limited funding. Michiganians who want to take advantage of the program and stop smoking or quit using other tobacco products can call the service at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Most of the quit-line services shut down in mid-March after an unprecedented amount of callers -- more than 65,000 in five days and 92,000 in March -- flooded the lines when nicotine replacement products, including nicotine patches, gum and lozenges were offered free of charge to callers.

The high number of callers caused a budget constraint forcing the quit line to serve only Medicaid beneficiaries. The quit line was to resume service in October, however, the line opened earlier after funding became available for the program. The nicotine replacement products currently are not offered to callers.

 

Help is Out There: State and Local Job Programs For Job Seekers

The recent Chrysler and General Motors bankruptcies mean that more families will need job search and family assistance programs. There is a lot of help available for job seekers, but unfortunately many people don’t know how to access these programs. I hope that readers will find this information helpful.

These programs are available for job seekers:

  • Career Education and Workforce Programs (Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth). For job programs for veterans, people transitioning from welfare to work, specialized job placement programs, and dislocated/laid off worker assistance visit the website at http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd/0,1607,7-122-1679---,00.html.
  • Rapid Response Program (Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth): 1-517-373-6234. This program begins when Rapid Response is notified of a plant closing or mass lay-off, and helps people with their job search and new training they may need. Visit the website at http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd/0,1607,7-122-1678_2665---,00.html.
  • Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC), 2727 Second Ave., Suite 120, Detroit, 1-313-967-9295. This office provides counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures, new start-up businesses, and existing small businesses.
  • Unemployment Insurance Agency. To file your claim by phone call 1-866-500-0017. To inquire about your claim call 1-866-500-0017, press 3. To find answers to general questions about unemployment benefits, and to print forms, visit www.michigan.gov/uia.
  • Michigan Talent Bank: 1-888-253-6855. This site lists new job openings monthly and allows people to post their resume. Visit the website at: https://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage.

 

Libraries Sponsor Program to Help Children Start Saving for College

All across Michigan, libraries are helping children be creative at their library with programs and events. Get Creative @ Saving for College gives parents a chance to win $1,500 that can be used toward their child's college education!

Here's how it works:

1. Sign up your child for the BE Creative @ Your Library summer reading program.
2. Fill out the entry card and return it to your librarian for the grand prize drawing of $1,500 that can be used toward your child's college tuition.

3. If your child wins a grand prize, your library will also win $1,000.

 

Free Summer Meals for Kids!

Kids throughout Michigan can enjoy free healthy meals this summer thanks to the Summer Food Service Program. Administered by the Michigan Department of Education, this federally-funded program fills the summer hunger gap for thousands of Michigan children. Last year, around 69,000 kids ate free meals or snacks at approved summer food program sites in their neighborhoods.

Research shows a direct relationship between good nutrition and learning. The Summer Food Service Program is a key building block in Michigan communities to develop healthy, happy kids who are ready to learn.

The Summer Food Service Program is targeted to all children up to age 18 living in eligible communities. To find the Summer Food Service Program site nearest you, log on to www.michigan.gov/sfsp and contact one of the 199 sponsors throughout the state for the dates, times, and locations of their free summer meals for kids.

The Summer Food Service Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Education through funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is available to children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

 

OFIR Places Wixom Mortgage Servicer Northwestern Financial into Conservatorship

Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) Commissioner Ken Ross has placed Northwestern Financial Corporation into conservatorship and named OFIR Director of Receiverships James Gerber as conservator. The Commissioner also directed that the company cease and desist from doing business.

Northwestern is a small Wixom mortgage company which serviced 156 mortgages in Michigan as of December 31, 2008. The Commissioner’s actions were prompted by the agency’s discovery that Northwestern was improperly servicing its mortgages.

The order allows the conservator to operate Northwestern and stabilize the company’s mortgage servicing operations.

Northwestern customers will be notified in writing of OFIR’s actions and provided details on how they can obtain additional information. Customers with concerns or questions about their accounts can call OFIR toll-free at 877-999-6442.

This is the first time OFIR has placed a mortgage company into conservatorship since 1999.

To view the Commissioner’s order placing Northwestern Financial Corporation into conservatorship, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/Northwestern_Financial_Corp._-_Order_Appointing_Conservator_281775_7.pdf