E-Newsletter, October 2, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES NEW BILL TO PROTECT CITIZENS FROM INDECENT ADVERTISEMENTS
This week, Senator Hunter introduced a new piece of legislation, Senate Bill 879, to continue his efforts to prevent residents from having unwanted exposure to indecent images in advertisements on sexually-oriented businesses. It would limit signs on the outside of adult venues to only list the name and type of business, the location, and the hours of operation, and not allow them to include any inappropriate images. Another bill introduced by Senator Hunter that recently passed the Senate would put the same limitations on explicit billboards that advertise a sexually-oriented business.
To read a press release about Senator Hunter’s efforts to regulate inappropriate sexually-oriented advertisements, click here: http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1404.
TEMPORARY BUDGET KEEPS STATE OPERATING
Senate Democrats this week fought to solve Michigan’s budget crisis and prevent a state shutdown, but the state briefly shutdown until a temporary, 30-day budget was passed early on October 1st. Senate Democrats continuously called for action on the state budget all summer in hopes of avoiding a repeat of 2007. Senate Democrats remain committed to protecting public safety, education, and health care so that our state can achieve the economic recovery Michigan families deserve. Senator Hunter and his colleagues believe this is still possible by passing tough but responsible budget reductions and reforms and generating enough revenue to avoid extreme, dangerous cuts that would put Michigan families and children at risk.
REGISTER TO VOTE BY OCTOBER 5 FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION
Monday, Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3, 2009 election. To register, applicants must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens. Applicants must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register. Voters may register in person or by mail. The mail-in form is on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.
First-time voters who register by mail must vote in person in their first election, unless they hand-deliver the application to their local clerk, are 60 years old or older, are disabled, or are overseas. Voters who qualify may choose to cast an absentee ballot on Election Day. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are: age 60 or older, unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another, expecting to be out of town on Election Day, in jail awaiting arraignment or trial, unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons, appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.
Those who wish to receive their absentee ballot by mail must submit their application by 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. Voters who request an absentee ballot in person on Monday, Nov. 2 must vote the ballot in the clerk's office. Emergency absentee ballots are available under certain conditions through 4 p.m. on Election Day.
To check their registration status, residents may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote. At the polls on Election Day residents will be asked to present photo ID, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls can still vote. They will sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day. Voters who don't have a Michigan driver's license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID, as long as they are current:
Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state;
Federal or state government-issued photo identification;
U.S. passport;
Military identification card with photo;
Student identification with a photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education;
Tribal identification card with photo.
Additional election information can be found at www.Michigan.gov/sos.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT CITIZENS ACADEMY CLASSES BEGIN OCTOBER 12
The Dearborn Heights Police Department is now accepting applications for its upcoming Citizens Academy. The 18-hour orientation program gives citizens a working knowledge of the department’s personnel, policies, and procedures. The 6-week series of classes will meet every Monday evening beginning October 12 at the Dearborn Heights Justice Center. The classes address several areas of law enforcement operations and will conclude with an officer ride-along and graduation ceremony. Anyone over the age of 21 who lives or works in the City of Dearborn Heights may register by picking up an application at the Police Department or City Hall Clerk’s office. Applications can also be downloaded and printed out from the “News” section of the City of Dearborn Heights website at www.ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us. Completed applications are due to Sgt. Todd Learst by 4:00 pm on Monday, September 21st. Fo r additional information regarding the Dearborn Heights Citizens Academy, contact Sgt. Todd Learst, Training Coordinator at 313-277-7402.
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.
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/.
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.
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.
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.
