E-Newsletter, September 19, 2008
SENATE DEMOCRATS HELP PASS ENERGY LEGISLATION TO CREATE JOBS, PROTECT CONSUMERS
Yesterday, Senate Democrats voted to pass bipartisan, comprehensive renewable energy legislation that will stimulate economic growth and the creation of “green jobs” while saving ratepayers $4.3 billion in future energy costs. Senate Bill 213, House Bill 5524 and SB 1048 together ensure that Michigan’s energy needs will be met by clean and renewable energy resources while specifically protecting consumers against large rate increases.
- Create a 10% Renewable Portfolio Standard that will encourage investment in Michigan’s renewable energy sector and create new manufacturing jobs in the wind and solar industries
- Save ratepayers $4.3 billion in avoided costs over the next twenty years by not paying for unnecessary new baseload plants
- Diversify Michigan’s economy as well as its electricity generation portfolio, insulating the state from future fuel crises
- Create energy efficiency standards to reduce energy used, ultimately keeping costs down
- Include a “net metering” law that will allow consumers to sell renewable energy that they produce back to utility companies
- Provide an income tax credit for ratepayers to offset a portion of their investments in renewable energy for Michigan
- Ensure that money will not be spent on renewable energy technology unless it is less expensive than new coal plants
- Ensure that money will not be spent on energy efficiency measures unless it is shown that such measures will save more money than is being spent.
Michigan has been identified by the United States Department of Energy as one of the top eight states in the nation for potential wind production. The Department also recognizes Michigan as one of four states that will create over 30,000 manufacturing jobs in the wind sector alone. This new legislation opens the door for the state to become a major player in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
To read more about this legislation, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1071
HUNTER COSPONSORS BILL TO ELIMINATE DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY FEES FOR STRUGGLING CITIZENS
Earlier this week, Senator Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) introduced Senate Bill 1509, which I cosponsored, that would eliminate the state’s driver responsibility fees for senior citizens and any person or family whose income is at 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Driver responsibility fees can tack on hundreds or thousands of dollars onto what a person owes when being issued a traffic ticket.
This legislation recognizes that while times are tough, many individuals do not have the means to pay for these extra fees. Drivers who break the speed limit need to pay their traffic tickets, but charging additional fees won’t solve the problem that led to the driving ticket in the first place. The law now assesses a $100 fee on people who accumulate seven or more points on their driving record within a two year period, and an extra $50 for every point above seven points. This legislation will help protect our senior citizens and our most disadvantaged residents from these additional fees.
HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed House Bills 6414 and 6415, legislation similar to bills introduced by Senator Buzz Thomas that would establish high-occupancy vehicle lanes and regulations. High-occupancy vehicle lanes are special freeway or highway lanes that are reserved only for cars that contain two or more people including the driver. Drivers caught using these lanes without a passenger would face a $100 fine.
These car pool lanes, specifically referred to as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, are prevalent throughout the country as a way to encourage drivers to share rides. By reducing the volume of cars on the road, these HOV lanes wouldn’t just provide a faster, more reliable commute for Michigan workers, they would also save drivers money that would normally be spent filling up their gas tanks as well as reduce the amount of dangerous emissions being pumped into the atmosphere and polluting our state. Both bills now head to the Senate for consideration.
ARTS TAX CHECK OFF GETS SENATE APPROVAL
Last week, in a unanimous vote, the Senate passed Senate Bills 1374 and 1373, which are designed to increase funding for the arts in Michigan. The legislation would create a check off box on the state’s income tax form and allow taxpayers to designate at least $5 of his or her refund for art programs. Michigan Council for the Arts grants have fallen from $21 million in 1999-2000 to $5.8 million in 2006-2007, according to recent published reports.
SENATE PASSES SOLAR-POWER TAX CREDIT BILL
In an effort to encourage businesses to relocate to Michigan, the Senate recently passed House Bill 5898 that would provide tax credits for businesses that manufacture solar power. Specifically, the bill would amend the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) Act to allow a taxpayer that was engaged in the research, development, or manufacturing of solar power or photovoltaic energy, photovoltaic systems, and other photovoltaic technology to claim a refundable credit against the MBT, subject to a $100 limit on all credits taken under the bill. Supporters of the bill, both Democrats and Republicans believe that the legislation will help to attract business to the state.
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Are you or a friend or family member facing the possibility of mortgage foreclosure? Wayne County Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP) offers FREE legal intervention, as well as counseling, education and other tools for saving a home. They also assist consumers in creating a dignified exit strategy from a home that is at or in foreclosure. Wayne County is also linked to a powerful collaboration network of HUD- and MSHDA-certified counseling agencies to analyze cases and recommend viable options to avoid mortgage foreclosure.
Visit the MFPP website at www.fightmortgageforeclosure.com or call (877) 693-6199 or to make an appointment to come in and talk to a housing counselor or ask for a referral to a local housing counselor near you.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOSTS VOTER REGISTRATION FAIRS
The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) will be hosting voter registration fairs in 57 counties across Michigan to help individuals register to vote. Representatives from League of Women Voters of Michigan, city, township, and county clerk offices will be at the locations to assist individuals attending the events. At some sites, an AutoMark machine will be available to individuals who would like hands-on practice casting a ballot.
Voting gives every Michigan resident a voice in the political system and provides the opportunity for an individual to participate in all levels of government. If you cannot attend one of the scheduled voter registration fairs, you can register to vote at one of the DHS local offices during their regular operating hours.
For more information on dates, time and places of the Voter Registration Fairs, please visit this link.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO HELP PROTECT CONSUMERS AGAINST GAS-GOUGING
This past week, Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would give the attorney general additional tools to investigate price-fixing and gas-gouging at Michigan's gas pumps. The legislation would amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by giving the attorney general the ability to issue a civil investigative demand against companies believed to be in violation of the act without having to first obtain a court-ordered subpoena based on probable cause. With these amendments, the attorney general would be able to more efficiently investigate a potential violation of the act.
As Hurricane Ike hit Texas this past weekend, anxious motorists flocked to gas stations even as prices increased. Michigan’s attorney general is reportedly already looking into more than 20 consumer complaints about possible gouging from this past weekend. For further protection, the House of Representatives recently passed similar legislation that will help prevent consumers from falling victim to gas gouging.
GRAINGER FOUNDATION TO DONATE $100,000 TO NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND AND MICHIGAN TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTERS
Grainger, a local business-to-business distributor of maintenance supplies, recently donated $100,000 to the No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program to support training and education for students as they pursue careers in high-demand and emerging trade occupations. This grant will provide $75,000 to sponsor NWLB training for students in specific programs at certain Michigan community colleges', M-TEC facilities, and $25,000 for developing and enhancing training programs in alternative energy.
This kind of support will help the NWLB program train even more workers for jobs in the 21st century. This year, NWLB is launching a Green Jobs Initiative. This initiative includes a $6 million investment in training for jobs in alternative energy industries including wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal energy, and other green industries.
HOUSE PASSES PLAN TO EXPAND TAX BREAKS FOR PRE-PAID COLLEGE TUITION
Recently, the House of Representatives passed a plan that will help make college more affordable for working families by making it tax deductible for donors to pay into the Michigan Education Trust (MET) without specifying the donation for a particular child. The MET is a program that allows parents, grandparents, businesses and others to pre-purchase undergraduate tuition for a child living in Michigan for any Michigan public university or college.
Individuals and businesses that purchase MET contracts for various groups - such as children from a particular school or town - currently cannot receive tax deductions for their generosity. The House’s plan will allow for anyone who makes charitable donations into the MET Advance Tuition Payment Fund, regardless of whether the donations are for a specific child, to receive a tax deduction. In the long run, our state will need a highly educated workforce to attract businesses and investment and it’s important we ensure that our young residents can afford college in order to build that strong workforce here in Michigan.
For more information on the Michigan Education Trust, visit www.SetWithMet.com.
