E-Newsletter, October 10, 2008
GRANHOLM SIGNS NEW ENERGY LEGISLATION TO CREATE JOBS, PROTECT CONSUMERS
Earlier this week, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed into law the recently passed renewable energy legislation. This bipartisan initiative will stimulate economic growth and the creation of green jobs while saving ratepayers $4.3 billion in future energy costs. These new laws together ensure that Michigan’s energy needs will be met by clean and renewable energy resources while specifically reducing costs for consumers.
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. And many of those jobs can be right here in the Wayne County area. We pioneered the industrial revolution with our automotive production, and we can return to the forefront again by building wind turbines and solar panels. 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.
SENATOR HUNTER SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY
State Attorney General Mike Cox was in Detroit earlier this week to announce his efforts to promote transparency in state government by supporting the creation of a website to map all state spending. Last week, I signed a pledge in support of this proposal. This pledge was offered to all legislators and potential legislators by the Attorney General. 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.
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 your $300 payment 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 http://www.irs.gov.
STATE OF MICHIGAN REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL TO PROVIDE FORECLOSURE RELIEF
Earlier this week, the State of Michigan scored a major victory by settling with Countrywide Financial, the nation's largest mortgage lender. The settlement, resulting from an investigation of the nation's largest mortgage lender for predatory lending complaints, will provide relief for nearly 10,000 current and former Michigan homeowners who are struggling with the national home foreclosure crisis.
Under the terms of the settlement, Countrywide will refinance as many as 9,700 adjustable rate mortgages in Michigan, giving families an opportunity to keep their homes, and saving them approximately $129 million as a result of more favorable terms. The company will also pay more than $9.8 million to the State to assist Michigan homeowners who lost their homes to foreclosure with relocation assistance payments and develop borrower education and neighborhood rehabilitation programs. The settlement also prohibits Countrywide Financial from offering subprime or option adjustable rate mortgages for two years and limits the number of low- or no-documentation loans the company can offer.
This settlement exposes some of the pitfalls homeowners are facing and reiterates the need for a foreclosure moratorium in Michigan. Recently, my colleagues and I introduced a three-bill package that would establish the longest period of foreclosure protection of any state in the country, while also providing important safeguards for the lending industry. During the two-year moratorium period, the property owner is still required to pay, but can make reduced payments while working to stabilize their financial situation. This protects lenders who would not receive any payment otherwise, and keeps citizens in their homes, preventing home vacancy and vandalism and stopping property values from dropping further.
Homeowners who acquired a loan from Countrywide Financial can call the Countrywide hotline for more information at 1-800-669-6607. Citizens who feel they are victims of questionable lending practices can file a complaint with the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation at 1-877-999-6442 or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection hotline at 1-877-765-8388.
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS GREAT LAKES COMPACT
On October 3, 2008, President George W. Bush approved the Great Lakes Compact. This historic legislation will put into place rules to block any major amount of water being removed from the Great Lakes. This legislation has been a long time coming and I’m proud to say I was a part of the Senate while the compact was compromised and ultimately approved.
This shows that Michigan can put partisan issues aside and work together to create laws that satisfy businesses, environmentalists, and the well-being of Michigan. The Great Lakes are extremely valuable to Michigan’s economy and people and we should be proud of the steps our state has taken toward protecting our water for generations to come.
To read more about this legislation, visit the Senate Democrats’ Caucus website: http://senate.mi.gov/dem/pr.php?id=939.
WEBSITE HELPS VOTERS LEARN ABOUT CANDIDATES, ISSUES
The recently upgraded Secretary of State website offers voters a vast amount of information about voting. Be ready for the November 4 general election by making sure you are registered to vote and learning more about the issues. The Michigan Votes website offers candidate information links, voting information and frequently asked questions, voting equipment and the opportunity to learn about statewide ballot proposals.
Voting is a civil right that every U.S. citizen should take advantage of. Not only is it your chance to be heard and voice your opinion, but it is also a chance to become involved and take a stand for the issues you feel strongly about. I urge every individual to take advantage of the opportunity to vote Tuesday, November 4.
To visit the Michigan Voter Information Center website, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/vote.
SCRAP TIRE MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANT 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 fifty 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. 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, or 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”).
“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).
INKSTER RECEIVES STATE WATER QUALITY LOAN
The city of Inkster will receive a $21,160,000 low-interest loan from the state to construct a facility to retain and treat combined sewer overflows to the Lower Rouge River. The loans come from the Department of Environmental Quality’s State Revolving Fund and Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund. The Revolving Fund Program makes low-interest loans to local governments to make improvements to wastewater collection and treatment facilities. The loans not only help communities improve their water quality, but also stimulate construction activity which in turn helps the local economy.
U OF M DETROIT CENTER HOSTS “HOW TO START A BLOCK CLUB” PROGRAM
The University of Michigan School of Social Work and the Skillman Foundation/GNI are sponsoring a How to Start Your Own Block Club program at the U of M Detroit Center on Monday, November 10, 2008. Presented by Alice Thompson, CEO of Black Family Development, the program will discuss how block clubs can fight crime and find ways to encourage young people to get involved in their local communities. People attending the meeting will receive a manual on the ins and outs of establishing a block club. The program runs from 5 to 8:30 pm. Parking is available in the parking structure behind the center’s building ($4.00) or on the street. To register please call Tammy Miller at 313-593-0918.
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.
