E-Newsletter, October 16, 2009

SENATOR HUNTER CALLS ON THE SENATE TO ADDRESS IMPORTANT ISSUES INCLUDING THE BUDGET AND SMOKEFREE WORKPLACES

Just before Senate Republicans adjourned another brief session day this week, Senator Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit) rose to give a statement on the need for the Senate to address important and pressing legislative issues like making Michigan workplaces smokefree. On Wednesday of this week, the Republican-led Senate scheduled a vote on a bill to regulate “fuzzy dice” hanging from car mirrors while other pressing issues were left unresolved.

Video of Sen. Hunter’s statement from today can be seen here:
http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/backend/play.php?id=913.

 

GOVERNOR SIGNS BUDGET BILLS

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills for the Departments of Corrections, Education, Transportation, Community Colleges, Judiciary, Military and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Quality.

The total operating budget for the Department of Corrections for fiscal year 2010 is $1.93 billion, which includes $1.87 billion in general fund money. The budget represents $120 million in cost savings. Included in the budget is $1.6 billion to operate a safe and secure prison system that is diminishing in size because of a declining prisoner population, and $207 million to oversee and supervise the growing parolee and probationer populations. It also includes $115 million for community-based programs for low-level offenders as well as the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative to reduce the state’s costly recidivism rate by better preparing inmates for release.

The fiscal year 2010 appropriation for the Department of Education is $112.9 million, which includes $19.4 million in general fund money. The budget supports the department in its efforts to improve student achievement, administer the Library of Michigan, and administer school aid payments to local school districts. It also includes $13.7 million for operating the Michigan School for the Deaf and Blind.

The fiscal year 2010 budget for the Department of Transportation is $3.3 billion for departmental operations, state and local infrastructure repair and reconstruction projects, and intermodal programs. Nearly $2.3 billion is provided by the budget for state and local road and bridge construction and maintenance projects. The budget also provides $267 million for public transportation such as local bus, rail freight and marine programs. Another $125.7 million is for building and airport improvement projects.

The fiscal year 2010 appropriation for the state’s 28 community colleges is $299.4 million, the same level as 2009. The funding helps Michigan’s community colleges provide over 448,000 residents with affordable access to postsecondary education. Funding of $3.3 million is maintained for the At-Risk Student Success Program.

The total operating budget for the judiciary for fiscal year 2010 is $258.8 million, which includes $153.1 million in general fund money. The budget supports the essential operations of the judiciary and provides $5.1 million for drug treatment courts that hold offenders accountable for their behavior while providing treatment for substance abuse problems.

The fiscal year 2010 appropriation for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is $146.1 million, which includes $36.4 million in general fund money. The budget includes funding for military training sites, headquarters and armories for homeland security; the Grand Rapids and D.J. Jacobetti veterans’ homes which currently serve 900 veterans; special maintenance and remodeling of National Guard facilities; and for the Military Family Relief Fund to assist families of Michigan’s active duty National Guard and military reserve members. The budget also includes funds for veterans’ service organizations for veterans’ benefits counseling and assistance, and to manage the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy for high school dropouts and at-risk youth.

The total operating budget for the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2010 is $84.6 million, which includes $30.6 million in general fund money. The budget includes $17.7 million for food safety programs and consumer protection and $15 million for plant health, $10.3 million for environmental protection, and $9.6 million for animal health and disease efforts.

The fiscal year 2010 appropriation for the Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environmental Quality (DEQ) is $704.3 million, which includes $43.7 million in general fund money. The budget provides funding for a wide variety of environmental, recreational and conservation activities available to the public and supports essential operations of the two departments. It also includes $65 million in federal funds for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. On October 8, the governor issued and executive order combining the DNR and the DEQ into one department. However, that order hasn’t taken effect yet, and existing law mandates continued operation of two separate departments.

The governor vetoed some projects in some of these budgets. To read more about her actions on these budgets visit her press room and read her press releases on the budgets at http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-23442---,00.html.

To read more about the budget’s visit the Senate Fiscal Agency website at http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/.

 

TIPS TO KEEP HALLOWEEN SAFE AND FUN

There are many ways to keep your child safe at Halloween, when they are more prone to accidents and injuries. The excitement of children and adults at this time of year sometimes makes them forget to be careful. Simple common sense can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.

  • Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fire proof, the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.
  • If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that kids’ costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.
  • Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
  • Kids always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better than knives and are safer, although you can be cut by them as well. It's best to let the kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.
  • Treating your kids to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them.
  • Teaching your kids basic everyday safety such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing when the lights tell you to, will help make them safer when they are out Trick or Treating.

Make Halloween a fun, safe and happy time for your kids and they'll carry on the tradition that you taught them to their own families some day!

 

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 manufacturing 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 progra ms 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.

 

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.

 

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.