E-Newsletter, July 18, 2008
HUNTER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR COSTS OF HEARING AIDS
Yesterday, Iintroduced a two-bill package of legislation to provide coverage for audiological screening, diagnosis, treatment and costs of hearing aids for individuals who are certified as deaf or severely hearing impaired by a licensed physician or audiologist. The package of legislation includes Senate Bill 1447 and 1448 to ensure all health care organizations in Michigan provide this coverage.
More than 37.2 million Americans suffer from hearing impairments that affect their everyday lives, and this number will only increase as baby boomers come closer to retirement. Considering the high costs of hearing impediment screening, diagnosis and treatment, many individuals are unable to afford these necessary services. My bills will help cover these high costs, giving those who are hearing impaired the opportunity to treat their hearing loss.
For more information on this legislation, click here.
LEGISLATION TO PROTECT GREAT LAKES SIGNED INTO LAW
Governor Granholm recently signed into law legislation designed to protect and preserve the Great Lakes State during a ceremony on the shores of Lake Michigan. This legislation is the most comprehensive in the Great Lakes region and includes enacting the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact, establishing regulatory standards for large water withdrawals, banning significant diversions from Michigan water, and more.
The passage of the Great Lakes legislation marks a historical moment for Michigan. My colleagues from across the aisle and I worked together to reach a compromise that environmental, agricultural and business interests could all agree on. The Great Lakes are extremely valuable to Michigan’s economy and by signing this legislation into law, we are taking a huge step toward protecting our Great Lakes resources for generations to come.
SENATE DEMOCRATS HELP PASS K-12 SCHOOL BUDGET
Yesterday, I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to show support for Michigan schools and the students who are the future of this state by passing the 2008-2009 K-12/School Aid Budget. The budget includes an increase in per pupil funding between $56 and $112 on a sliding scale based on existing funding, ensuring lower funded schools received the greatest increase.
These increases ensure that every school in Michigan starts the school year off fully funded and prepared for a successful year. Providing the funds to properly educate our future generations and help students prepare for a 21st century economy is ultimately investing in our future and the future of our state.
Some highlights of the other programs approved as part of the School Aid Budget today include $15 million for 21st Century Schools grants that will go to districts with less than 70% graduation rate to create schools designed to instill a more interactive curriculum and reduce the dropout rate, $10 million for Early Childhood programs, and a $1 million increase for Child and Adolescent Health Centers.
HOMEOWNERS CAN STILL FILE FOR PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTIONS
Under Public Act 96, which was signed into law earlier this year, a new tax credit was created for people who have moved to a new residence but have been unable to sell their previous principal residence. Under the new law, the homeowner is allowed to maintain a principal residence exemption on their former home for up to three years if the home is vacant and for sale. In order to receive this tax credit, the owner must file a conditional rescission form with their local assessor. Unfortunately, the bill was not signed until April of this year, leaving a small window of time for taxpayers to file before the May 1 deadline.
However, an amendment recently included in SB 1239 allows homeowners to appeal to the July and December Boards of Review to ask to maintain their principal residence exemptions. Homeowners who may apply for this tax credit are encouraged to visit the Michigan Treasury website to file a form with their local government to be considered at the July or December board of review. The majority of communities will meet next Tuesday, July 22, however taxpayers should contact their local government to know when their board of review meets.
Visit http://www.michigan.gov/treasury for a form to apply for the principal residence exemption.
HUNTER’S LEGISLATION HELPS REVITALIZE DOWNTOWNS ACROSS MICHIGAN
Governor Granholm recently signed a package of legislation including Senate Bill 972, which I sponsored, to create new tools to help businesses attract customers and workers through renovating downtowns throughout Michigan. Revitalizing Michigan’s downtowns will not only attract entrepreneurs to downtown areas, but also help keep our young, talented workers in the state.
My bill specifically allows the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to create, operate, and fund a loan program for improvements to existing buildings located in downtown districts to create marketable buildings that can be sold or leased. Restoring a fresh, vibrant look to Michigan’s downtowns serves as both an economic development tool and a way to improve our downtown’s housing, commercial, and retail development.
U.S. FORECLOSURE RATE RISES FIFTY-THREE PERCENT IN JUNE
According to a recent Associated Press article, the U.S. housing market continued to struggle last month as foreclosures grew by more than 50 percent compared with June just one year ago. It is reported that 1 out of every 501 U.S. households has received a foreclosure filing in the last month, and Michigan has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. With weak housing sales and decreased home values financially-strapped homeowners have been left with few options to avoid foreclosure.
To address this housing crisis, I recently joined my colleagues in supporting a three-bill package that would establish the longest period of foreclosure protection of any state in the country. This is the kind of action needed to keep residents in their homes and protect homebuyers from predatory lenders. These bills will not only keep residents in their homes, but also help them get back on their feet and begin to make regular payments under a mortgage they can afford.
ABANDONED, FORECLOSED HOMES TARGET FOR METAL THEFT
As Michigan’s foreclosure crisis continues to affect neighborhoods across the state, these abandoned homes are causing a new set of problems. Cities are now forced to create new policies and spend a great deal of time and money on fixing up these properties. In addition to regular cleanups, many of the foreclosed home that have been abandoned have been broken into and stripped of pipes and other valuable metals. This is affecting the value of the home as well as the safety of surrounding neighborhoods.
To take action against metal thefts, I recently cosponsored Senate Bill 720, which passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support. Senate Bill 720 would strengthen regulations and recordkeeping requirements for scrap metal processors to help prevent the theft of copper and make it more difficult for stolen copper to be resold. This legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
NEW LEGISLATION TO MAKE GIFT CARDS, CERTIFICATES GOOD FOR FIVE YEARS SIGNED INTO LAW
Recently, Governor Granholm signed legislation into law to require stores to accept gift cards and certificates for at least five years after selling them. House Bills 4050, 4317 and 4680 and Senate Bill 388 (which I cosponsored) make up this legislation designed to better ensure consumers get the full value of gift cards and gift certificates.
Considering gift cards are a very popular form of gift-giving, it’s important to respond to the complaints that retailers face regarding gift cards or certificates. The new law keeps stores from altering the terms or conditions of a gift certificate after it has already been issued and prohibits inactivity fees and other fees related to buying a gift certificate. The new requirements apply only to new gift cards or certificates sold on or after November 1, 2008, just in time for consumers to be sure they are getting the most out of their hard-earned money this holiday shopping season.
GRANHOLM EXTENDS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Governor Granholm recently took action to help Michigan’s struggling citizens by extending unemployment benefits to Michigan residents for another 13 weeks. These funds, which do not affect the state’s budget, come from the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program.
Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation and this has been an ongoing problem for years. Considering approximately 69,000 jobs were lost in state over the past year, I cosponsored similar legislation that calls for a 39-week increased compensation period for jobless workers, the same afforded by this new federal extension. When so many hard-working individuals are unable to find employment, it’s clear we need to step in and help our citizens get back on their feet.
MICHIGAN.ORG SETS VISITOR RECORD
As the summer travel season continues, Michigan’s tourism website, michigan.org, provides information to potential travelers in Michigan. Last month, the website set a new record for volume with 57,432 visits and 35,182 click-throughs to other Michigan tourism sites, making June 23, 2008 the biggest day in the site’s history.
According to independent research, 65 percent of consumers who use michigan.org for tourism information travel to and within Michigan. This large amount of web traffic means that Michigan destinations are receiving more business. Considering visitors spend $18.1 billion annually and traveling and tourism accounts for 192,000 jobs statewide, this is a vital industry for Michigan.
For more information on traveling in the State of Michigan, visit the official travel web site at www.michigan.org.
TALK TIME WITH TUPAC: COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Mary’s Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10:00 - 11:00 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.
