E-Newsletter, July 3, 2008
MICHIGAN STATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LAUNCHES PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is now offering low interest home improvement loans to single-family homeowners with low-to-moderate income, and landlords renting to low-to-moderate income tenants. Home improvement projects eligible for the loans include repairing or replacing a roof, installing new siding, adding insulation, replacing a furnace, installing a ramp, remodeling a kitchen, and other similar improvements. This loan program is an easy, affordable way to offset rising energy costs through making improvements on your home that can increase energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
If you are interested in more details, you can visit MSHDA’s website at www.michigan.gov/mshda, then click on the Home Improvement link. You can also call MSHDA’s Detroit office at (313) 456-3540.
SENATE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE PLAN TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION
This week, my colleagues Senator Liz Brater and Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs joined with local election officials and voter advocacy groups in Lansing and Farmington Hills to announce their “No Excuses Voting” initiative that would make voting convenient and accessible for all Michigan residents. Their efforts are focused on the passage of Senate Bill 12, a plan I support which would allow everyone of voting age and eligibility to vote by absentee ballot if they choose.
This initiative would help remove limitations to absentee voting while also relieving voters of costs associated with voting, such as gas and time. Voting by mail would also allow individuals more time to review ballots, make informed decisions, and vote without interrupting busy or unpredictable schedules. Twenty-eight other states currently have similar absentee voting legislation and I will fight alongside my colleagues to make Michigan the next.
To read more about this initiative and view photos from the announcement, click here.
HUNTER TO PARTICIPATE IN LEGISLATIVE BUILD WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The 2008 Legislative Build is an advocacy event connecting legislators with their constituents for community development projects in their district. Next Thursday, July 10th, I will join constituents in Inkster to support Habitat for Humanity and take part in building projects. These community development activities will include affordable housing projects, downtown development projects, neighborhood cleanups, and ribbon cutting ceremonies or celebrations to involve residents.
The Legislative Build’s goal is to have legislators working on projects in every district, educating the state and general public of Michigan’s need for affordable housing and demonstrating the economic impact of programs that produce these affordable housing and economic development projects. I look forward to working alongside other legislators and residents within my district to support the community and help build these homes which are in such high-demand.
For more information about the Legislative Build, visit their website.
COPPER THEFT BILL RECEIVES BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
Recently, my co-sponsored Senate Bill 720 to amend the current law to regulate scrap processors passed through the Senate with bipartisan support. This bill would prohibit scrap processors from establishing a business unless they have a license of operations and prohibit a person from making a sale or purchase between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. This bill will also increase punishments for those who knowingly purchases stolen goods and those who buy or sell material from a government or telecommunications property.
In 2007, AT&T Michigan reported more than 400 incidents of copper thefts from telephone lines. We need to take action to protect our neighborhoods, homes and businesses from being vandalized. Through this legislation I hope to prevent these thefts from taking place while also still allowing metal scrap dealers to buy from commercial and industrial customers without troublesome rules. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
HUNTER’S BILL STRENGTHENS ECONOMY & PROMOTES TOURISM
Senate Bill 1351, a bill that I sponsored passed through the Senate last week. The bill will help expand the number of festivals in Michigan by permitting special licenses to be issued to any organization conducting a beer festival whose primary purpose is to showcase Michigan beer.
This is an opportunity for Michigan to promote these local products and help grow the brewing industry in Michigan, creating jobs and boosting both the economy and tourism.
This legislation would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow the Liquor Control Commission to issue a special license to any organization conducting a beer festival. A holder of a special license could buy a quantity of beer, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the Commission, directly from any licensed brewpub for consumption only at the licensed event. "Beer Festival" would mean an event at which the various types and kinds of beer and the production of that beer are showcased
FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES
The 4th of July is one of the best times of year for summer travel, and firework displays are a great way to celebrate America. It wouldn’t be Independence Day without fun fairs, festivals, and fireworks. The Inkster Downtown Development Authority, The City of Inkster, and Inkster Summerfest Committee will be hosting a summer jazz festival July 12-13 in downtown Inkster. The event will feature live musical entertainment, food, merchandise vendors, fireworks and more. To learn more about the event visit this website.
You can also find more events going on throughout the month of July here (from AbsoluteMichigan.com).
ROAD CONSTRUCTION HALTED FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY
The Michigan Department of Transportation announced they will suspend 70 percent of the road construction currently under way from 3 p.m. Thursday, July 3 until 6 p.m. Monday, July 7 to make Independence Day traveling easier. AAA of Michigan estimates that more than 1.1 million motorists will hit the road for Fourth of July festivities this weekend.
Visit http://www.michigan.gov/drive before planning your route and for more holiday travel information.
TALK TIME WITH TUPAC: COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. McDonald’s, 27125 Cherry Hill Road
You are invited to attend whichever coffee hours work best for your schedule. If you are interested in joining me, please call my office toll-free at 1-866-262-7305 in order to confirm your attendance. Please be sure to leave a message if you call after hours.
