August 14, 2009
MSHDA ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW PROGRAMS FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced the restoration of a federal tax credit program along with new programs that will give Michigan residents an unprecedented opportunity to purchase affordable homes through MSHDA. The funding is provided by the federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).
The first program offers new enhancements to MSHDA’s existing Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA). Income limits have been increased to parallel single-family income limits, improving a potential homebuyer’s ability to qualify for DPA loans. Homebuyers may also take advantage of the first-time homebuyer $8,000 federal tax credit provided for under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The second program is the federal Michigan Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program that has been resurrected following a three-year hiatus and allows a tax credit of 20 percent of the interest a borrower pays during the term of a home mortgage.
Two other programs have also been created under the HERA that has allocated $10 million dollars through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program to assist new buyers purchasing foreclosed or abandoned homes. This effort will assist communities across the state with the elimination of blight and rejuvenation of neighborhoods.
Full details of the varying programs are accessible at the MSHDA website: www.michigan.gov/mshda. Once at the site click on “Homeownership” on the left hand side of the home page. All eligibility requirements and program details are readily available.
MICHIGAN EXPANDS AUTOMATED TELEPHONE HOURS TO ACCEPT UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
Jobless workers who are applying for unemployment benefits can now file their claims 24 hours a day Monday through Saturday by using an automated telephone system at the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The automated telephone system is now available from 7:00 a.m. Monday through 7:00 p.m. Saturday except the first Saturday of the month, the same hours as their online application system. Additionally, this recent enhancement allows workers to change their benefit payment option from debit card to direct deposit or vice versa at their convenience—whether it's at 8:00 p.m. or 2:00 a.m.
Callers can reach the automated system by dialing the UIA's toll-free telephone number 1-866-500-0017. The automated phone system does not have any UIA representatives available to help callers either before or after regular business hours. Representatives are only available during normal business hours, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
SENATOR HUNTER’S LEGISLATION WOULD STRENGHTEN DAYCARE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Senator Hunter recently introduced legislation to create new reporting guidelines for daycare providers. Senator Hunter’s bill, Senate Bill 723, is part of a bipartisan package that would ensure that parents and guardians have the most accurate information when choosing daycare for their children.
Senator Hunter’s bill would create stricter reporting guidelines for a licensed child care facility. It would require that daycare providers make a licensing notebook, containing all information on incidents and investigations, available to parents and guardians. Parents would also be given a form to sign, summarizing all incidents that occurred at the center in the previous 10 years which have resulted in the hospitalization or death of a child. Having parents sign the form would ensure that they have been given all important information before selecting a daycare provider. The other bill in the package, Senate Bill 724, would require the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide a five year look-back on its web site for all daycare licenses. This would allow parents and guardians to cross-check a provider’s information with DHS information. Currently, DHS participates in onsite inspections of licensed daycare providers every two years and rule violations are posted online for a two year period until the next inspection. DHS does not report previous incidents, even if a child’s death occurred, before that two year period.
To read the press release on these bills go to http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1399.
SENATOR HUNTER AND SENATOR THOMAS SPONSOR AUTISM BILLS
Senator Hunter and his Senate colleague Democratic Floor Leader Senator Buzz Thomas recently introduced new legislation to require that insurance companies cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
The new Senate bills, which are identical to House bills that passed the House earlier this summer with bipartisan support, would require insurance companies to offer coverage for autism spectrum disorder. The bills would not allow limits on the number of visits that could be made to an autism services provider. Coverage would not be subject to dollar limits, co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance provisions that did not apply to physical illness in general. Coverage limits for Applied Behavior Analysis would be subject to a maximum annual benefit of $50,000. In June, the House of Representatives passed the same package of bills with substantial bipartisan support.
To read the press release on these bills go to http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1398.
FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES & FREE BOOKS - OAKLAND, MACOMB & WAYNE COUNTIES
If you live in Oakland, Macomb or Wayne Counties your children may be eligible for free school supplies, new books or other essential items. Operation: Kid Equip has started their fall application process for assistance with school supplies. Applications are being accepted through August 15, 2009. If you qualify for this assistance you will be notified beginning on or after August 16th. Participants will have to pick up their supplies at a date and time provided by Operation: Kid Equip. Depending on where you live your pick up time will be either in late August or early September. You must pick up your supplies. No supplies will be shipped.
To qualify, your children must be approved for the school free or reduced lunch program. An approval letter from last school year is acceptable. Please bear in mind that the free books are geared for children ages 4-9. The free school supplies can be used by all grade levels. All requests will be processed on a first come, first served basis.
Operation: Kid Equip is an all-volunteer organization, and the entire application process is online. The organization does not take applications over the phone. Each application is reviewed by a member of the staff, and applicants will receive an e-mail within 2-5 business days confirming receipt of the application and asking follow-up questions regarding any other needs.
Please visit http://www.operationkidequip.org for the online application.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
