E-Newsletter, September 25, 2009
SENATE DEMOCRATS VOTE AGAINST CONTINUATION BUDGET
Senator Hunter joined his Democratic colleagues today and voted against a bill that allows the state to operate under a continuation budget for one month starting on October 1. Democrats argued that the legislature has known since February that the state would face economic difficulties. The Senate and House of Representatives have been working on budget bills since early this year. Senate Democrats have proposed a plan of common sense reforms that avoids draconian cuts to revenue sharing, early childhood and public education, promise grants, and health care programs. Democrats argue that legislators know what needs to be done and that a budget can and should be passed by the October 1 deadline.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CREATES MIBRIDGES WEBSITE FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Michigan Department of Human Services is continually focused on ensuring clients receive the benefits for which they are eligible. Through the implementation of the MIBridges program - an online food assistance application and client self-service portal – families who are eligible or already participating in the food assistance program can access their account via internet. For more information please visit http://www.michigan.gov/mibridges.
SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE COLLECTING FOOD DONATIONS
Michigan residents can drop of the food donations to their local Secretary of State branch offices to benefit needy families as part of the 19th annual Michigan Harvest Gathering. Donated items can be dropped off at any Secretary of State branch through Friday, Dec. 11. The campaign is coordinated by the Food Bank Council of Michigan, which supplies the state's regional food banks through donations of food and money. The regional food banks serve food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in every Michigan County.
People are asked to donate food items such as canned meats, dry beans, soups, beef stew, pasta products, peanut butter and tuna. Envelopes will be available for mailing cash donations, which are used to cover the cost of collecting and distributing the food. Donations may also be made online to Harvest Gathering's "Fill Michigan's Fridge" food drive at www.feedmichigan.org. In 2008, Michigan Harvest Gathering collected more than 242,000 pounds of food and $679,000. The 2009 goal is 300,000 pounds of food and $650,000.
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LAUDED FOR EXCEPTIONAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING PRACTICES
The state Office of Financial Management (OFM) has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the State of Michigan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (SOMCAFR) for the 2008 fiscal year.
The Certificate of Achievement is a prestigious national award that is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. To achieve the award, the OFM must prepare a comprehensive annual financial report that meets the GFOA’s high standards, which include demonstrating a spirit of transparency and full disclosure. This is the 22nd consecutive year that the OFM has received the award.
The OFM resides within the Office of the State Budget and has responsibility for enterprise-wide accounting and financial reporting. The SOMCAFR is an annual report that provides a comprehensive view of the state’s finances. It is available to the public on the OFM Web site, www.michigan.gov/ofm. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional organization serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
SENATE DEMOCRATS OFFER REFORMS TO SAVE CRITICAL PROGRAMS FROM THE BUDGET CHOPPING BLOCK
Senate Democrats are fighting to fund a number of priorities to make Michigan’s communities safe and Michigan workers marketable to new businesses, including: early childhood and public education programs, so that our young people enter school ready to learn; Promise scholarships that help our students afford a higher education and secure good-paying jobs; local revenue sharing that provides police officers and firefighters to watch over our loved ones; and health care programs that keep people from seeking more expensive care down the road that we all end up paying for.
Senate Democrats have provided concrete suggestions for resolving the state’s budget crisis,
while avoiding cuts that would eliminate any chance for a long-term economic recovery. Democrats challenged all involved to consider serious reforms that would make Michigan better able to compete with other states in the region and spare families from devastating cuts.
To read more on this issue visit the Senate Democratic Caucus website at http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/.
INKSTER’S PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS EVENTS FOR TEENS: LOCK-IN IS THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 are invited to the Leanna Hicks Inkster Public Library for a teen lock-in on Saturday, September 26th starting at 5 p.m. The lock-in includes food, games and a movie and runs until 10 p.m. Call (313) 563-2822 to register, or you can register at the library. The library’s Young Teen Book Club is currently reading the book Goosebumps Series 2000: Cry of the Cat by R.L. Stine. The Young Teen Book Club meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. The Teen Book Club is currently reading Swim the Fly by Don Calame. The Teen Book Club meets every 3rd Wednesday at 4 p.m. The library is located at 2005 Inkster Road.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS LIBRARY OFFERS BUSINESS AND GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS
The Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights will host a “Could I . . . Should I Start My Own Business” seminar on September 30. The seminar is offered by SCORE and will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in room APR A. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education, and the formation, growth and success of small businesses in Southeast Michigan. SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Association. For more information and to register call (313) 226-7947. The library is located at 24590 George Street.
The Caroline Kennedy Library will also host a workshop on using Google for online genealogy research. The workshop will be held on September 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room APR A. You need to pre-register for this workshop either at the circulation desk in the library or by calling (313) 791-3800. The workshop will explain how to use Google to do online research about your ancestors, and how to use online databases to locate family history information.
SAFE TO HOLD HEALTH AND WEALTH EXPO IN OCTOBER
Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) will hold a Health and Wealth Expo on October 24, 2009. This is a free event. The expo will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit. The event is designed to give increase citizens’ access to free and low cost community based health and financial providers. Workshops will be offered on job seeking tips, eating healthy on a budget, and stress reduction. There will also be raffles, give-away items, special guests, and community resources and informational literature. For more information on the event please call the Expo hotline at 888-747-6880, or visit the Expo website at http://safehealthandwealthexpo.community.officelive.com/default.aspx.
MPSC SCHEDULES CONSUMER FORUMS
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has scheduled seven consumer forums throughout the state in September and October to give consumers the latest information on electric and natural gas rates for the winter as well as the status of local and long distance telephone rates. One of the MPSC’s three commissioners will be available to discuss these issues.
A forum in Detroit will be held on September 29th, 4 p.m. at the Northwest Activities Center—Ballroom, 18100 Meyers Road. Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact Mark Smith at (517) 241-5410 in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.
HOME HEATING CREDIT DEADLINE APPROACHING
September 30 is the deadline to apply for Michigan's 2009 Home Heating Credit to assist low-income people with winter energy bills, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Eligible customers must have their homestead in Michigan, own or rent the home in which they live, and their income must fall within certain limits. The form (1040CR-7) can be obtained by calling 1-800-827-4000 or is available on the Department of Treasury Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance.
DETROIT AREA AARP TO HOLD FREE INFORMATION SESSIONS
The Detroit Area American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will hold a free series of Thursday evening information talks through November 12th. The group invites people to join them for a free, fun-filled evening of food, music, conversation and expert advice to help people embrace aging as a time to grow, learn and serve. The seminars will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dates and topics are:
October 8: Pathways to Health and Wellness
October 29: Securing Your Financial Future
November 12: AARP’s Create the Good Program
The seminars will be held at the Doubletree Fort/Shelby Hotel, 525 West Lafayette Blvd., Detroit. Free valet parking is available. Space is limited so please register by calling 1-877-926-8300.
DETROIT TO HOLD SENIOR EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM DRAWING THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th
The City of Detroit will hold its Third Annual Citywide Grant Drawing for the Senior Home Repair Program on Saturday, September 26th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Riverview Ballroom at the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center, One Washington Blvd, downtown Detroit. The Senior Emergency Home Repair Program provides for emergency related health and safety home repair assistance for low-income homeowners, 65 years of age or older and/or physically disabled and 55 years of age or older. The City of Detroit Planning and Development Department offers home repair grant opportunities citywide for a limited number of seniors, who reside within the City of Detroit. Applicants must meet low-income guidelines and be owner occupants. The maximum Senior Emergency Repair Grant is up to $12,000. Grants are used to correct serious code violations and/or emergency repairs. Senior service resource providers and vendors will also be available to pro vide information, health related services and door prizes.
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: Applicant must be at least 65 years of age or older and/or physically disabled and 55 years of age or older; the applicant must meet income requirements and must own and occupy the home; and the applicant must not have received a prior rehab/repair grant from city programs. Eligible emergency home repairs include repairs to: furnaces, plumbing, roofs, electrical systems, and structural repairs. Ineligible repairs include repairs to windows, carpeting, kitchen cabinets, all household appliances, plaster and drywall, and concrete-work/driveways. For additional information regarding the Senior Emergency Home Repair Program, please call the Housing Services Division at (313) 224-3461. The division is located at 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 1700, in Detroit and is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday.
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.
“TALK TIME WITH TUPAC” COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
McDonald’s, 27125 Cherry Hill Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph 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.
