E-Newsletter, September 26, 2008
HUNTER HELPS SECURE FUNDS TO IMPROVE WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Yesterday, Senator Hunter voted to pass the Capital Outlay budget, a $275 million dollar plan to help accelerate construction, expansion and improvement projects at airports, colleges, universities, military facilities and state parks, creating thousands of new jobs across Michigan. Wayne County Community College will receive $21 million for construction on their new Northwest Campus located on Outer Drive and Southfield Freeway. This funding is a great way to improve colleges in Michigan while also creating new construction jobs within our state.
To read more about the Capital Outlay budget, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1078
HUNTER’S LEGISLATION WILL MODERNIZE THE PROCESS OF REGISTERING DEEDS
Currently, the Register of Deeds Office has to physically log information regarding deeds and mortgages into an entry book. This outdated method has created a backlog for many counties and has left a lengthy loophole open for con artists to operate. Senate Bill 927, which Senator Hunter sponsored, updates this process by ensuring that when a deed is submitted to the Register of Deeds Office, it is recorded immediately by stamping the first page with the date, hour, and minute.
Wayne County, at one time, had four to six months of backlogged deeds. This only helped to facilitate mortgage scams, a number that has grown 150-fold, from 9 cases in 1997 to 1,431 in 2006. SB 927 will modernize and standardize this process, streamline the deed entry process and create a more responsive and effective environment for the sale and purchase of homes while also deterring the illegal activity surrounding mortgages.
SENATE PASSES TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
Yesterday, Senate Democrats helped pass the Department of Transportation budget for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009. This funding covers bus and rail systems, roads (both building and repairing), highway maintenance, and bridge building and repairing. The Senate also approved measures to finish a study to determine where the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) should be located between Detroit and Windsor.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE EDUCATION IN FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSES
Recently, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 834, sponsored by my colleague Senator Michael Switalski (D-Roseville) that would allow financial literacy courses to count towards meeting the state’s high school graduation requirements. The legislation passed through the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support.
In order to receive a high school diploma, students are required to successfully complete at least four credits in math, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. SB 834 would add financial literacy to the courses allowed to fulfill the four-credit requirement. With endless credit cards, housing foreclosures and rising debt, it is important students learn how to recognize scams and are provided with tools to help them manage their money responsibly. Many of them see the financial hardships their parents are facing and through courses in financial literacy, students can learn to make smart financial decisions that will benefit them down the road.
HUNTER PRAISES SENATE PASSAGE OF SPEECH PATHOLOGIST LICENSURE
Senate Bill 493, a bill that was cosponsored by Senator Hunter, helps to establish the framework for the licensing of speech pathologists. This bill will help ensure that those who are practicing this profession have a proper degree, submitted an application, and completed a training program or have credentials from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This framework for licensure guarantees high-quality healthcare among Michigan residents.
The bill also requires continuing education for speech pathologists; sets standards for a complaint process and review; and allows the creation of a Michigan Board of Speech-Language pathology that will set minimum standards for the practice of speech pathology. This piece of legislation supports not only the accreditation of the profession, but also protects the citizens who rely on these services.
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES OVER 7,000 NEW JOBS CREATED, 14,585 JOBS RETAINED
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently announced that they are helping 17 companies develop here in Michigan through Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credits and the Downtown Brownfield Redevelopment projects. Combined, the projects are expected to create and retain 21,602 jobs and generate over $1.05 billion in new investment in the state.
Senator Hunter recently worked alongside my colleagues to rewrite the MEGA initiative in order to attract and retain small businesses and create thousands of new jobs within the state’s high-technology and tourism industries. My bill, Senate Bill 1190, will allow a qualified business to write off 200% of not only their payroll costs, but also their healthcare costs against their business tax liability for three years. By passing this legislation, we are making Michigan a leader in the 21st Century economy and increasing access to affordable healthcare for families across the state.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ENCOURAGES ALTERNATIVES TO LEAF BURNING
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is encouraging Michigan citizens to explore alternatives to burning leaves this year. Leaf burning creates air pollution, contributes to breathing problems, is a serious fire hazard, and is illegal in many Michigan cities. Burning leaves releases fine particles, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons into the air that are particularly harmful to children and people with allergies, asthma, or heart disease.
Although leaves and yard waste cannot be sent to a landfill, mulching and composting are simple, environmentally sound ways to manage most yard waste. The easiest option is to mow over leaves with a lawnmower to chop them into fine mulch, and when left on a lawn, the mulch provides a number of needed nutrients for the grass that will keep it looking healthy. Many communities offer composting programs, and residents can contact their waste hauler or local city, township, or county Department of Public Works office to find out whether they collect leaves and yard waste for composting.
In rural locations where responsible burning of yard waste is allowed, permits are required to burn leaves and brush. Homeowners are reminded to obtain a permit before burning and that they are responsible for damage caused by a fire they start.
For more information, go to , and select "Open Burning Information" under Spotlight, or contact the DEQ Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278.
OCTOBER 6 IS LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE
This November 4 is going to be one of the most important elections in recent history. If you aren’t registered to vote you can do so by mail; at your county, city, or township clerk’s office; or by visiting any Secretary of State branch office. This must be done at least 30 days before the election, which means the deadline this year is October 6, 2008.
You can vote by absentee ballot if you are over age 60, need assistance voting, or will be away on Election Day. To vote absentee, fill out and send an absentee ballot application or other signed request to your city or township clerk. Requests to have an absentee voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election. If a last minute emergency such as a sudden illness or family death prevents you from getting to the polls on Election Day, you may request an emergency absentee ballot up until 4 p.m. on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to your local clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voting is one of the most cherished and fundamental rights in our country. If you are eligible to obtain an absentee voter ballot and cannot attend the polls on Election Day, use of the absentee voter ballot is strongly encouraged.
For more information about the voting process, candidate information, and to register to vote, visit the following website: http://www.michigan.gov/vote
TALK TIME WITH TUPAC: COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10 - 11 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.
