E-Newsletter, October 9, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER AND FELLOW DEMOCRATS STAND UP FOR EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY
Senator Hunter and his Senate Democratic colleagues opposed a Senate Republican proposal late Thursday night that would make drastic cuts to education while providing no comprehensive, long-term budget solution. The Republican proposal also takes away tax breaks for struggling Michigan workers to fund another break for businesses instead of restoring the extreme, dangerous cuts they have made to education, public safety, and health care.
The legislation passed last night still cuts School Aid funding $165 per pupil as well as other education programs. In addition, the Republicans’ proposal freezes the Earned Income Tax Credit for Michigan families, and uses that revenue to help repeal the Michigan Business Tax Surcharge.
For more budget information, visit the Senate Democrats’ website at: http://www.senate.mi.gov/demcaucus.
SENATE APPROVES UTILITY SHUTOFF REGULATION BILLS
The State Senate voted this week to pass several pieces of legislation that would protect Michigan residents from dangerous utility shutoffs. The bills are part of an extensive bipartisan legislative package to ban winter utility shutoffs and regulate other shutoff practices for all utility companies throughout the state. The five bills that passed this week will allow the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to regulate municipal utilities to prevent utility shutoffs and help citizens keep their power on. This brings these utilities in line with what is already current law for other regulated utilities to ensure all consumers have the same protection against shutoffs.
This legislative package was introduced to prevent tragedies like the death of Marvin Schur, a 93-year-old World War II veteran in Bay City. He was found frozen to death in his home last winter after Bay City Electric Light and Power, a municipal utility not subject to MPSC rules, placed an electric limiter on his home.
SENATE DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO MOVE BUDGET PROCESS FORWARD
Senator Hunter and his Democratic colleagues this week forced a vote to end Republican stonewalling and send the remaining Senate-passed budgets on to Governor Granholm for her consideration. Senate Republicans opposed the motion and continue to refuse to release six completed budgets to the Governor. Senate Republicans are stalling the budgets for the Michigan State Police; General Government; Higher Education; Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth; Department of Human Services; and Department of Community Health.
To hear Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi’s (D-Ishpeming) statement on this go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6CNwmJnb3c&feature=channel_page.
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF WIXOM PROJECT INCENTIVES
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently announced approval of key state incentives to help move forward the transformation of the idled Wixom Assembly Plant into a renewable energy production center. The project is expected to directly employ an estimated 4,000 workers.
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) approved clean-energy incentives to Clairvoyant Energy Solar Panel Manufacturing Inc. (www.clairvoyant-energy.com) and Xtreme Power Inc. (www.xtremepowersolutions.com). Clairvoyant was approved for a photovoltaic MBT credit valued at $25 million over two years, and Xtreme Power Inc. was granted an advanced-battery credit, authorized under Public Act 110 of 2009, valued at $100 million over four years. Clairvoyant Energy and Xtreme Power plan investments of $857 million (over four phases) and $475 million, respectively, to redevelop the 320-acre plant site and its 4.7 million square feet of building space to manufacture solar power (Clairvoyant Energy) and energy-storage systems (Xtreme Power). The redevelopment work at the Wixom site is expected to begin early next year with manufactur ing at the site slated to begin in late 2011. The redevelopment plan is expected to create more than 4,000 direct jobs, including 750 direct jobs by Clairvoyant, 2,500 direct jobs by Xtreme Power, and those created by local suppliers as well as thousands of indirect jobs.
Michigan’s photovoltaic MBT credit provides a refundable tax credit for the construction and operation of a facility that develops and manufactures photovoltaic technology, photovoltaic systems or photovoltaic energy. The state’s advanced-battery incentive program provides refundable tax credits to encourage companies to develop and manufacture advanced batteries and commercialize advanced-battery technologies in Michigan.
MICHIGAN GETS $38 MILLION TO HELP DISLOCATED WORKERS
Michigan has been awarded $38 million by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to provide job retraining and career support services for 8,600 dislocated workers in 24 Michigan counties including Wayne County. The National Emergency Grants (NEGs) are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The grants are intended to temporarily expand service capacity at the state and local levels by providing time-limited funding assistance in response to significant dislocation events. Funding is available to dislocated workers in the region for one year from the date of the award. Workers dislocated as of now and those who become dislocated over the next two months are eligible to receive training and support services.
BEWARE OF FURNACE CLEANING SCAMS WHILE WINTERIZING YOUR HOME HEATING SYSTEM
This is the time of year to get your furnace cleaned and ready for winter. The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) offers some sensible tips so that you do not fall victim to a scam. In the past, the DELEG Bureau of Construction Codes has been involved in cases where elderly residents have been scammed out of as much as $30,000 in needless heating and cooling repairs and equipment. These situations can be avoided by knowing how to recognize questionable and potentially fraudulent contractors. The do’s and don’ts are:
- Do maintain your furnace by cleaning air returns with a household vacuum cleaner and checking the filter once a month and replacing it if necessary. This will maintain efficiency and prolong the life of the furnace.
- Do get your heating system thoroughly cleaned by a reputable, licensed, local mechanical contractor a minimum of every two years.
- Do get at least three independent written estimates from licensed local mechanical contractors if a furnace repair or replacement is recommended. If you subsequently sign a contract for work, make sure it stipulates that final payment is not due until the mandatory inspection by the mechanical code enforcing agency is approved.
- Do ask to see the mechanical contractor's license and write down the contractor and license number listed on it.
- Do verify that the license is valid and issued for the proper classifications for the work he or she will be conducting for you. You can check this information by visiting the Bureau's website at http://www.michigan.gov/bcclicense or by calling the Bureau's Mechanical Division at (517) 241-9325.
- Don't fall for telephone solicitations that offer "low-cost" or "free" furnace cleaning. Once in the dwelling, the worker may tell the homeowners their heating system has serious problems that require immediate attention. Get a written description of the suggested work and seek a second opinion.
- Don't sign a contract just because the worker says you face possible illness or death if the furnace isn't replaced immediately. If told your furnace threatens your health, ask for a written copy of the technician's test results and call your local utility company.
- Don't hire someone who comes to your door with a Shop-Vac vacuum offering to clean your heating ducts. It will not do the job. A proper cleaning requires a high volume vacuum system and maybe even a steam process.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LAUNCHES FIRST ONE-STOP SHOP IN MICHIGAN
United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke recently announced the launch of the Commerce Department’s business one-stop shop in Michigan. Locke announced the opening of the new facility, named CommerceConnect, at the Midwestern Governors Association Jobs and Energy Forum and later held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in Plymouth. The state of Michigan partnered with businesses a year ago to launch a One-Stop Shop website for business. This tool provides quick information about permitting, start-ups, financing, taxes and other critical services and support for businesses. Now, Michigan will be linked to the Commerce Department as well. The new CommerceConnect office will help make the department’s services more accessible and Michigan businesses more competitive—putting all the department’s services under one roof with specialists trained on the broad range of programs Commerce offers. The one- stop initiative is focused on integrating Commerce Department programs to help businesses at every point of their life cycle, and the staff there will act as case workers for individual businesses that seek assistance.
Visit Michigan’s One-Stop Shop website at http://www.michigan.gov/business.
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.
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 website, 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.
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 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.
“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.
