E-Newsletter, July 25, 2008
SENATE DEMOCRATS PASS GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET, LOCAL REVENUE SHARING INCREASE
Yesterday, I joined my colleagues in the Senate to pass the General Government budget, which secures an increase in statutory revenue sharing. The 2% increase will help support community public safety and strengthen local police and fire protection services to ensure safety for neighborhoods and families. This increase is the first in statutory revenue sharing to go to local communities in seven years.
Communities rely on this funding for local police, firefighters, water systems, road maintenance and other vital services. The Legislature has cut three billion dollars for local services over the last few years, resulting in 4,000 fewer police and firefighters in Michigan since 2001. This increase in public safety will maintain the number of needed police officers patrolling our streets and firefighters ready to respond to an emergency.
HUNTER BILL TO PROMOTE ECONOMY AND TOURISM PASSES THROUGH HOUSE
This week, my Senate Bill 1351 to amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to permit special licenses to be issued to any organization conducting a beer festival passed through the House of Representatives with unanimous support. The Senate passed the bill with bipartisan support in June 2008, and yesterday we ordered that it be given immediate effect. The bill now goes to Governor Granholm for her signature. This legislation requires that the application for the license only be submitted by a nonprofit organization composed primarily of brewers, microbrewers and brewpubs, and must be for an event whose primary purpose is to showcase beer.
Michigan’s brewing industry brings in more than $24 million in wages with a combined economic contribution of more than $133 million. Michigan has 75 breweries, employing thousands of people, ranking them sixth in the nation in total breweries per state. This legislation gives Michigan a great chance to support these local products and help grow the brewing industry. By allowing these extra licenses, we are helping promote Michigan’s breweries which in turn benefits Michigan’s economy and tourism.
To read more about my legislation, click here.
MICHIGAN HAS 2ND-HIGHEST JOB INCREASE IN JUNE
According to a recent report from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), Michigan had the second-highest employment increase from May to June of all states, adding a total of 16,700 jobs. This increase shows that Michigan is working hard and on the right track towards turning the economy around.
To continue this job growth, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is helping to grow 13 companies throughout Michigan. In addition, the MEDC is helping finance five brownfield redevelopment projects in Lansing, East Lansing, Flint, and Redford Township. Combined, the projects are expected to create 6,917 new jobs and generate $231.2 million in new investment in the state.
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS MAJORITY OF STATE BUDGET
The Governor signed the majority of the 2008-2009 budget bills on Friday, July 18, including budgets for the Department of State Police, Department of Community Health, Department of Labor and Economic Growth, and Community Colleges. With her signature, eleven of the state’s budgets have been approved and finalized for 2008-2009 and the process continues to be well ahead of last year. Transportation and capital outlay are the only budgets awaiting action by the Legislature.
MICHIGAN EDUCATION TRUST TO HOLD ONLINE SEMINARS
The Michigan Education Trust, a program which allows caregivers to pre-purchase undergraduate tuition for a child residing in Michigan, has recently announced they will be hosting online learning seminars to better explain how their program works for parents and others who are trying to guarantee the coverage of tuition costs.
The seminars will be at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on July 29, July 30, August 20, and August 21. A 7:00 p.m. seminar also will be hosted on August 21. Both Internet access and a telephone are needed to participate; the login website is www.SETwithMET.com and the telephone number is 1-800-851-3758 with the access code of 2033602. More information on the pre-paid tuition guarantee program is available at www.misave.com or 1-800-MET-4-KID.
TRAVEL TIPS
Michigan is full of beautiful vacation destinations. If you choose to take a road trip during the summer vacation season, here are some tips to make your trip less costly:
- Travel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: Try to schedule your trips in the middle of the week. Gas tends to be cheaper and less traffic makes it easier to use your cruise control.
- Lighten the Load: Try to avoid the need for auto carriers or other items on top of your vehicle. These not only add weight, but the increased wind resistance also will increase your gasoline consumption.
- Slow Down: Driving the speed limit will keep you safe and save your gas mileage. Try to avoid abrupt acceleration, hard braking and sudden changes in speed.
- Tune Up Your Ride: Before your trip, have a mechanic check out the vehicle to make sure all fluids are at the right level, tire pressure is what it should be and your vehicle is in its best running condition.
SUMMER FUN IN DETROIT
Michigan is full of scenic parks and lakes to enjoy this summer. There are 11 state parks and recreation areas within the Detroit area, each offering outdoor fun near the largest metropolitan population center in the state. Below are just a few of the beautiful destinations the Detroit area has to offer:
- Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor is a great place for visitors to enjoy fishing and boating on the Detroit River.
- Proud Lake Recreation Area is 4,700 acres of camping, canoeing, horseback riding and more.
- Dodge #4 State Park offers a sandy beach with one mile of shoreline on Cass Lake. Fishing enthusiasts can launch their boat or just head out on the fishing pier.
- Maybury State Park is another outdoor recreational zone, offering everything from hiking, biking or horseback riding.
154,000 PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR STIMULUS CHECKS HAVE YET TO FILE
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) roughly 27 percent of Michigan taxpayers are missing out on receiving their stimulus checks. Many of the eligible Michigan residents simply have not yet filled out a tax return, which is required in order to receive their stimulus check. It is generally non-traditional filers — such as disabled veterans, seniors or retirees.
There remain over 5.2 million potential recipients across the country without a check. This money can go a long way toward helping many struggling families during these difficult economic times. Many organizations in the Detroit area are volunteering their services in preparing tax returns for seniors and veterans, including the Accounting Aid Society (www.accountingaidsociety.org).
Tax services are available Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Accounting Aid Society’s Osborn Neighborhood Tax Center, 13560 East McNichols Road, Detroit (inside the Matrix Human Services building). Appointments must be made by calling 313-245-5220. Tax services are also available Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the agency’s Southwest Neighborhood Tax Center, 7000 West Fort Street, Detroit. Appointments must be made by calling 313-554-2884.
Seniors and those physically unable to visit a tax site may take advantage of Accounting Aid’s mail-in Summer Tax Program, which begins June 2 and runs through August 31. Information packets are available by calling 313-647-9620.
Other ways to get help include:
Calling the IRS at 313-628-3700. Calling the United Way Help Line at 2-1-1. Visiting the Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov.
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.
