E-Newsletter, October 3, 2008
HUNTER SIGNS PLEDGE TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY
I am pleased to announce that this week I signed a pledge to promote greater transparency in state government by supporting the creation of a website to map all state spending. This pledge was offered to all legislators and potential legislators by State Attorney General Mike Cox. I chose to sign it to reaffirm my commitment to representing the people of my district — people like you — in an open, honest way and because it is my belief that citizens have the right to be aware of how we conduct public business.
For more details, visit my website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1086.
SCHOOLS RECEIVE FUNDING FOR SAFETY PROGRAMS, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
The Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation recently selected three schools in my district — Burt Elementary, Frank Murphy Elementary and Peter Vetal Elementary — to receive federal Safe Routes to School funding. This funding will help implement safety improvements and education programs aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and safe traveling between school and home. The funding will also help complete needed infrastructure work, such as sidewalks and crosswalks surrounding these schools.
Forty-one Michigan elementary and middle schools in 10 counties will receive more than $8.7 million in federal Safe Routes to School funding. The schools receiving funding will add education and encouragement programs during the 2008-09 school year and complete infrastructure improvements in 2009. The Safe Routes to School program encourages parents, teachers, neighborhoods and schools to work together to improve the safety of our children who walk and bike to school.
HUNTER BILL TO UPDATE REGISTER OF DEEDS PROCESS PASSES SENATE
Yesterday, my legislation to modernize and standardize the Register of Deeds’ entry process was passed by the Senate. Under SB 927, when a deed is brought to the Register’s Office, it will be instantly stamped with the date, hour, and minute to ensure they are addressed in a timely fashion. This will streamline the deed entry process and create a more responsive and effective environment for the sale and purchase of homes while also hoping to deter the rampant illegal activity surrounding mortgages. The deed will also be accessible for public view.
Currently Register of Deeds Offices have to physically log information into an entry book. This archaic method has created a backlog for many counties and left a lengthy loophole open for con artists to operate. Wayne County at one time had between a four to six month backlog of 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. Under the current system, home titles can change hands illegally and multiple times before ever being caught by the system, wreaking financial havoc on homeowners and lenders alike.
HOUSE APPROVES NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTING LEGISLATION
The Michigan House of Representatives voted last week to pass House Bill 4048, a bill that would allow all eligible voters to vote by absentee ballot if they choose. I have supported Senate Bill 12, which would accomplish the same goals as the House bill, since its introduction in January of 2007. The current restrictions on absentee voting are unnecessary and if these bills are approved by the Senate, these barriers would be eliminated and voters would be given the opportunity to more easily participate in elections.
Considering only 23 percent of registered voters in Wayne County voted in the August primary, we need to pass these bills to help increase the amount of people who vote and create a more efficient and effective election process. I understand that balancing a full-time job (or even two jobs), a family and daily errands makes it difficult for many citizens to get to the voting booth. By approving this legislation, we can give voters more options and the freedom to vote in a way that best fits their busy life.
To read a blog about the Senate Democrats’ efforts to establish no-reason absentee voting, visit our website: http://www.senate.mi.gov/dem/blog.php?id=56.
OCTOBER 15 IS DEADLINE TO FILE FOR STIMULUS CHECK
More than 118,000 low-income seniors, disabled veterans and others with disabilities in Michigan have yet to file for their $300 economic stimulus payment ($600 for married couples). That adds up to $35.6 million in unclaimed payments for Michigan residents.
If you received at least $3,000 in Social Security, Veterans benefits, or Tier I Railroad Retirement benefits in 2007 and have not yet filed a tax return, you can still file so that you can become eligible to receive a payment of up to $300 from the federal government. Also, low-income Michigan households with earnings of at least $3,000 can file for the economic stimulus payment if they didn't file tax returns. With the rising cost of living, this money can go a long way toward helping many struggling families during these difficult economic times.
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.
MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ENCOURAGES HOMEOWNERS TO “BE WINTERWISE”
Earlier this week, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) kicked off its "Be WinterWise" campaign, an initiative designed to give utility customers important information on how to cut winter energy bills and where low-income customers can get financial assistance. Their website now features a webcast covering a variety of programs available to ensure the heat stays on this winter. From tips on how to cut energy usage to shut-off protection and financial assistance programs, this website is the number one resource to get answers to all your winter energy questions.
To learn more, visit the MPSC website: www.michigan.gov/bewinterwise.
DON’T FORGET 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.
For more information about the voting process, candidate information, and to register to vote, visit the following website: http://www.michigan.gov/vote.
“POETRY OUT LOUD” CONTEST BEGINS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS
The Michigan Humanities Council recently announced its fourth annual “Poetry Out Loud” state poetry recitation competition, which is open to all Michigan high school students. Each participating high school will receive poetry curriculum materials and audio CDs of poetry recitations. Awards will be presented to the students who best recite previously published works. The winning student will also represent Michigan with an all-expense-paid trip to the national competition in Washington, D.C.
English and Language Arts teachers in all of the state’s high schools are invited to contact the Council by November 1, 2008, if interested in participating. To express interest in the program, teachers can contact the Council by phone (517-372-7770), by letter, through e-mail to nwireman@mihumanities.org, or by fax (517-372-0027).
SCRAP TIRE MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUNDING APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Applications are now available from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for funding under the Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Program, which are available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost to purchase scrap tires to support the development of increased markets for scrap tires. Grant funding is also available to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of purchasing equipment or for research and development to provide for a new or increased use for scrap tires.
The DEQ will accept Letters of Interest received or postmarked on or before October 17, 2008. Interested persons must first submit an approved letter of interest before submitting a full application. The DEQ will not accept Letters of Interest applications submitted by e-mail or fax.
To receive a Letter of Interest form and application packet, please contact the Scrap Tire Regulatory Program, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, DEQ, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, Michigan 48909 7741, at (517) 241 2924; or an application packet may be downloaded from the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq (click on “Waste,” “Scrap Tires,” and under the “Grants ” tab, click on “Market Development Grants”).
DEARBORN HEIGHTS ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL PLANT SWAP
The Dearborn Heights City Beautiful Commission is sponsoring their second annual plant swap this Saturday, October 4 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The event is free and individuals can bring plants to exchange or just come to check out available plants. All plants should be placed in containers, bags, or boxes with the following information: name of plant and color, ideal planting conditions, height, sun/shade, and water requirements. The plant exchange will take place at the Dearborn Heights Canfield Center located at 1801 North Beech Daly Road.
For more information, call Commissioner Judy Dudzinski at (313) 478-6098.
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.
