E-Newsletter, July 17, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER TO HOST TOWN HALL MEETING JULY 22 TO HELP RESIDENTS AVOID FORECLOSURE
Senator Tupac A. Hunter is hosting a town hall meeting along with former Representative Steve Tobocman from the Michigan Foreclosure Task Force on Wednesday, July 22 on how you can save your home from foreclosure. Protecting the American dream of home ownership is critical to the future of Michigan and local experts will be on hand to speak with residents and help keep families in their homes. The town hall meeting will take place from 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. at the Northwest Activity Center at 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, MI 48235. For more information call 1-800-454-7842 or visit www.mirealtors.com.
NEW UNEMPLOYMENT DATA RELEASED, SENATE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE FIGHT TO SECURE FUNDS FOR MICHIGAN’S UNEMPLOYED WORKERS
According to a new report released by the Department of Energy Labor and Economic Growth this week, Michigan’s unemployment rate spiked higher in June, hitting 15.2%, the highest rate since mid-1983. That jump marked an increase of 1.1 percentage points over the May rate of 14.1%. The June rate was more than 7 percentage points higher than the 8.1% rate of June 2008. Senate Democrats have been and will continue to fight for Michigan workers as they push Senate Republicans to take up the House-passed unemployment modernization legislation to receive $138.9 million from federal funds.
The unemployment modernization legislation includes a bill that would allow individuals enrolled in a state-approved jobs training program to receive unemployment insurance benefits for an extra 26 weeks and another bill that would allow adults working between 16 and 40 hours per week to become eligible for unemployment insurance benefits beginning after January 1, 2011. Senator Hunter has introduced one of the identical Senate bills that has not been acted upon by the Senate Republican Majority.
Michigan Senate Democrats encourage citizens to visit their website that calls for action on this plan that would secure $138.9 million to help Michigan’s unemployed workers. The site, www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/helpmiworkers, encourages visitors to sign a petition and contact Republican Senators to demand a vote on the legislation.
Senate Democrats have also started a Facebook Cause on this issue, which you can join here: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/317737?m=3f1cca43.
To view a statement of Senator Hunter calling for action on this legislation, visit his website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/play.php?id=819.
SENATE DEMOCRATS FIGHT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDING
Senate Democrats recently fought to restore almost $54 million in funding to early childhood programs and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) in the state’s Department of Human Services budget. Restoring these funds would help the state avoid severe cuts to child care, before and after school programs, and early childhood education programs. In addition to the lost opportunity for securing federal stimulus dollars, these cuts would also jeopardize another $200 million in federal funding that our state can’t afford to lose.
According to the ECIC, each dollar invested in early childhood programs reaps anywhere from $2 to $7 in economic benefits for the state. The ECIC also released a poll showing that three-quarters of Michigan voters want early childhood development and education programs protected from such cuts. Voters also consider it “extremely” or “very” important to spare Michigan’s youngest learners and their parents from the budget wrangling in Lansing. Similarly, 83% of those polled think early childhood development and education is “an absolute necessity” for their community, including 69% who strongly believe that.
INKSTER RECEIVES GRANT TO ENHANCE DOWNTOWN
The City of Inkster will be receiving a Transportation Enhancement Grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The Transportation Enhancement (TE) program is a competitive grant program that funds projects such as nonmotorized paths, streetscapes, and historic preservation of transportation facilities that enhance Michigan’s intermodal transportation system and improve the quality of life for Michigan citizens.
Through this grant, the City of Inkster and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will focus on enhancing downtown through a streetscape plan, which will include new decorative sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, pillars, bus stop shelters and benches, outdoor seating, and a pass through plaza from rear public parking to Michigan Avenue. This project will have a grand impact on Inkster’s downtown as well as the overall community.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP)
Wayne County was recently named as a recipient of $25.9 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds as part of the Housing and Economic Redevelopment Act (HERA) in which $3.92 billion was allocated nationwide to address abandoned and foreclosed properties. Knowing the immediacy of the need for these dollars, the county has put them on an aggressive timeline to be contracted within a year and expended within two years.
Wayne County was especially hit hard by foreclosures, but is working closely with municipalities and community development partners to overcome these challenges. Please check their webpage (http://www.waynecounty.com/mygovt/edge/nsp/) or contact Cynthia Vails, Deputy Director of the Community Development Division, at (313) 224-6655.
DETROIT CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES LIGHT-RAIL PLAN
Earlier this week, officials from Detroit City Council joined, Detroit Regional Mass Transit, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Transportation Riders United, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), and the Amalgamated Transit Union to discuss a plan to bring light-rail service to Detroit.
The end of the 2008 legislative session saw a bill important to the future of Detroit passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm. Senator Hunter was proud to sponsor Senate Bill 1590, now Public Act 487, to allow a street railway car system to be built in Detroit. The street railway car system, also called a light rail system, will be a significant help to Detroit’s economy by drawing more people and new businesses to the area. This light rail system would run for 3.4 miles down Woodward Avenue. Supporters have already raised $100 million from private donors to build this system. Economic development in our city depends on many things including how easy it is for people to get around.
HOUSE BILL PACKAGE TO TARGET DENIALS OF INSURANCE CLAIMS
Democrats in the Michigan House are sponsoring a 12-bill package aimed at stopping insurers from denying or delaying legitimate claims. The legislation would:
- Subject insurers to a $1 million fine if they do not settle claims in a timely manner more than once.
- Require insurers to pay attorney fees to policyholders who recover overdue insurance benefits.
- Force insurers to pay three times the amount of benefits withheld if the insurers acted in "bad faith."
- Make it a felony for chief executives of insurance companies to foster or encourage the wrongful delay or denial of legitimate claims. The executive could get up to four years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
- Protect insurance workers who blow the whistle on companies wrongfully denying claims.
- Require insurers to repair a consumer's credit rating if it has been hurt because of a denied or delayed claim.
- Michigan is one of only four states that doesn't protect its consumers from some of the most outrageous practices in the home, auto and health care insurance industries—wrongful denial. Wrongful denial consists of tactics that insurance companies use to delay or deny legitimate property, auto or health care claims at the expense of the consumer. By not honoring their promise to be there for consumers in their time of need, insurance companies boost their profits, forcing Michigan families into bankruptcy and even foreclosure just to care for the people they love.
Visit the House Democrats’ website to sign their petition to hold insurance companies accountable: http://www.housedems.com/wrongful-denial/.
MICHIGAN’S AUTO INDUSTRY TO LEAD GREEN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently addressed Michigan’s auto industry and how they are helping lead a green industrial revolution in Michigan despite undergoing difficult and painful restructuring right now. With General Motors investing up to $700 million to build its future small cars at its plants in Orion Township and Pontiac, they will preserve more than 1,400 jobs.
Ford Motor Company was recently awarded almost $6 billion in advanced technology loans by the Obama Administration. These funds will help Ford retool its plants to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford has also accelerated its development of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to add to its lineup of traditional hybrids, which run on either gas or electricity. Chrysler will also have at least one electric vehicle in its model lineup for next year and at least three more electric models by 2013. From advanced batteries to electric vehicles to more recycled content in car interiors, the new automotive industry will play a vital role in Michigan's green economy.
“TALK TIME WITH TUPAC” COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10 - 11 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.
