E-Newsletter, July 31, 2009

GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS HIGH-SPEED RAIL AGREEMENT

Governor Jennifer Granholm recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that establishes a partnership among eight states to create a regional high-speed rail. The Midwest Corridor would connect cities throughout the region with frequent, reliable high-speed and conventional intercity rail service. The initiative, which includes a Michigan Detroit-Pontiac-Chicago line, is modeled after the larger vision of President Barack Obama and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to create a nationwide rail network.

The MOU, signed at the Midwest High Speed Rail Summit in Chicago, establishes a multi-state steering group to provide a single voice in support of the region’s collective high-speed rail priorities. Through coordination, the region hopes to capture part of the $8 billion that President Obama has made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for high-speed passenger rail, the largest investment that the federal government has made in over a decade.

According to the American Association of Railroads, every dollar spent on investment in our nation’s railroads – tracks, equipment, locomotives, bridges – yields $3 in economic output. Additionally, each $1 billion of investment creates 20,000 jobs.

 

NEW UNEMPLOYMENT DATA RELEASED, SENATE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE EFFORT TO SECURE FUNDS FOR MICHIGAN’S UNEMPLOYED WORKERS

According to a new report released by the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth recently, 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. Senator Hunter and the 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 have 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.

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 LAUNCH NEW ONLINE TOOL TO HELP MICHIGAN WORKERS

Michigan Senate Democrats have launched a Facebook Cause page to gather support for the unemployment modernization legislation that would secure $138.9 million from federal funds to help Michigan’s unemployed workers. Senate Democrats created this Cause page to gather support, feature up-to-date information on the legislation and offer opportunities for people to share their experiences of dealing with this economic crisis.

The House passed this legislation in May but it has yet to be taken up by the Senate Republican Majority. Senator Hunter has sponsored identical legislation. The state’s unemployment rate continues to rise, with new numbers released that show it has reached 15.2%. “Michigan Unemployment Modernization” legislation will:

  • Extend benefits for workers who are being retrained for new jobs and those who were laid off from part-time jobs.
  • Secure $138.9 million in federal stimulus funding to support Michigan’s working families and help turn our economy around.
  • Ensure taxpayer resources are being used to benefit Michigan workers.

The Help Michigan Workers Facebook Cause page can be found at: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/317737/42426775?m=2d8eb144&t=1247754471. Concerned citizens can also visit www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/helpmiworkers to sign a petition and contact Republican Senators to demand a vote on the legislation.

To read more visit: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1387.

 

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING IN DEARBORN HEIGHTS

The Caregiver Support Group, hosted by Adult Wellbeing Services, will meet at the Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights on Thursday, August 6th, in room APR-A from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the public and is a support and education group for families caring for an older adult. For more information call Chris Goldberg at 313-359-0736. The Caroline Kennedy Library is located at 24590 George St. in Dearborn Heights. To visit the library website go to http://www.ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us/Lib.cfm.

 

JOY-SOUTHFIELD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO HOST HEALTH FAIR ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

The Eighth Annual Community Health Fair will be held tomorrow, Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center. The center is located at 18917 Joy Road, Detroit. The health fair will include free health services for children including physical exams and vaccinations (parents are asked to bring existing vaccination records for their children); vision, hearing, and lead testing; and dental screenings and cleanings. Free health services for adults include diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol testing; STD testing and counseling; and massages and consultations with a chiropractor. Other available resources include Head Start sign-up, marriage counseling, senior citizen services, and home foreclosure prevention advice. There will also be free food, games and entertainment. For more information call the center at 313-581-7773, extension 108.

 

ONLINE GUIDE HELPS DISABLED DRIVERS FIND FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS

If you or someone you know has a disability, then they can get help pumping gas at some Michigan gas stations. The online resource, www.ThePumpGuide.com, can help disabled motorists find full service gas stations in the state. To qualify for refueling assistance, drivers are required to display a state-issued disability license plate or placard.

The Pump Guide is an online directory of gas stations statewide that offer travelers with disabilities full service at self-service prices. The site was created by the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, a nonprofit organization.

The Pump Guide's online program allows users to: search for stations by county, identify stations near a specific location or by ZIP code, and plan a trip using directions that include participating stations along the route.

More than 900 gas stations statewide participate in The Pump Guide program. In addition to locations and hours, the guide also lists those stations that include car washes, ATMs, accessible restrooms and other amenities. The information in the guide comes from responses to an annual questionnaire that the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans Organization sends to gas stations.

 

DETROIT, WAYNE COUNTY WIN JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Detroit and other Michigan cities and communities are the recipients of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG) through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. This program is a partnership among federal, state and local governments to create safer communities. Overseen by the federal Department of Justice (DOJ), the Byrne JAG program makes grants to states and local governments to improve the criminal justice system.

Governor Granholm recently announced the recipients of $41.2 million in grants that were distributed through a competitive grant process. These grants, administered by the state's Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) in the Department of Community Health, targeted key areas, including community policing and community prosecution; local correctional resources; multi-jurisdictional task forces; problem solving courts, including mental health and drug courts; prescription drug abuse awareness; and technology enhancement projects.

The Detroit Police Department will receive grants to work with the Detroit Public Schools and Wayne State University to decrease crime in school areas and to create a new record management system. Detroit’s 36th District Court will receive a grant to hire an additional probation officer and legal advocate to help with the court’s domestic violence caseload.

For a list of Michigan’s competitive grant recipients, including grants to Wayne County and the City of Detroit, go to http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Byrne_JAG_ARRA_Awards_list_286067_7.pdf.

The Byrne JAG program places an emphasis on breaking the cycle of substance abuse and crime, combating violence, holding offenders accountable, enhancing law enforcement initiatives, and supporting advancements in adjudication. To date, more than $67 million has been made available to Michigan law enforcement through the Byrne JAG program in the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

 

MPSC OFFERS “BEAT THE HEAT AND SAVE” TIPS

With the arrival of hot temperatures, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) reminds utility customers that there are a variety of things they can do to lower electric bills.

To lower bills:

  • Seal air leaks around doors and windows.
  • Clean air conditioner filters and coils every month to make them more energy efficient.
  • Install a programmable thermostat. Setting it 10 degrees warmer when not at home can save three to five percent on electric bills.
  • Use fans – they can make the use of an air conditioner unnecessary. Ceiling fans, for example, can make a room feel six to seven degrees cooler.
  • Lower the temperature on the hot water heater to 120 degrees, a setting comfortable for most uses.
  • Plant leafy trees that shield the house from direct sunlight, keeping temperatures down. In addition, planting drought-resistant perennials, shrubs and trees can save on water bills.
  • Unplug certain appliances when not in use. Computers, cell phone chargers, MP3 players, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos and microwave ovens all use energy when plugged into electric outlets.

 

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.

 

“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.