E-Newsletter, November 21, 2008
HUNTER WOODWARD TRAIN BILL TAKEN UP IN SENATE COMMITTEE
The Senate Committee on Transportation recently took testimony on Senate Bill 1588, a bill that I sponsored, to allow for a street railway car system in Detroit. SB 1588 is part of a package of bipartisan Senate Bills that will allow a light rail system to run from Woodward in downtown Detroit to the New Center Area. Specifically, the package allows a non-profit organization to build and operate this system. Supporters have already raised $100 million from donors to build this light rail system. Adding this kind of mass transportation to Detroit will help attract businesses and spur economic development within the city.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES FORECLOSURE PREVENTION BILLS
Late last week, The House of Representatives passed House Bills 6614 and 6615 that could halt foreclosures for those with sub-prime loans. HB 6615 would create the Home Foreclosure Prevention Act and HB 6614 would amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow a court to dismiss or delay a foreclosure action under certain circumstances. The Senate Banking Committee also recently took a step toward halting foreclosures by moving legislation that allows registers of deeds to disclose how much is owed on a foreclosed house. Senate Bill 1390 could allow more people to buy back their homes in the six-month period the law allows before foreclosures are finalized.
My colleagues and I introduced a three-bill package that has yet to be taken up by the Senate 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. It is necessary we take action on these efforts to help keep Michigan citizens in their homes and protect them from predatory lenders.
HUNTER BILL PREVENTING DEED FRAUD RECEIVES APPROVAL BY HOUSE COMMITTEE
My bill to close a loophole that allows for con artists to run mortgage scams has been voted out of the House committee on Local, Urban, and State Affairs and is nearing final approval in the House. Senate Bill 927 will improve the process by which County Register of Deeds offices log deed information. Currently, they have to physically log information into an entry book. This method, and the volume of deeds coming into these offices, has created loopholes for con-artists, and backlogs for registers. Wayne County at one time had a four to six month backlog of deeds. This helped to facilitate mortgage scams, which have grown 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. This has caused great financial difficulties for both homeowners and lenders.
My legislation, SB 927, would modernize and standardize this process. When a deed is brought to the Register’s Office, the deed will be instantly stamped with the date, hour, and minute to ensure they are addressed in a timely fashion. The deed will also be accessible for public view. This will streamline the deed entry process and create a more responsive and effective environment for the sale and purchase of homes while also deterring mortgage con-artists.
IT’S FLU SEASON, FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE
The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion is providing flu shots during the month of November. There is a fee of $10 for the shot for those who do not have health insurance. Flu shots will be offered at the following times and locations:
Monday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; UAW Dave Miller Building, 8731 E. Jefferson, 48214
(313) 926-5231.
Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Madar Senior Center, 13560 E. McNichols, 48205
Adrian Smith (313) 527-0360.
Thursday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Farwell Recreation Center; 2711 E. Outer Drive, 48234 (between Ryan & Mound); Denise Hardaway (313) 628-2028.
Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Coleman A. Young Municipal Center; 2 Woodward Avenue, 13th Floor Auditorium; Sanders Lee, (313) 628-2626.
For more information on the community clinics or DHWP walk-in clinics, call the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion Immunization Program at (313) 876-4334.
2008 ONE-STOP SHOP FOR FOOD AND CLOTHING
The annual free food and clothing drive sponsored by The Detroit Partnership (formerly The Detroit Project) and their Brightmoor community partners will be held on Saturday, December 6. The drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Outer Drive United Methodist Church, 12065 W. Outer Drive. For more information, or to volunteer or donate, call Becky Shafer, Detroit Project’s Brightmoor Director, at 847-567-8529, or e-mail her at rbshafer@umich.edu.
IT’S SOONER THAN YOU THINK: TV CONVERTER BOX DEALS
As you’ve probably heard by now, the nationwide change to digital television will take place on February 17, 2009. That’s a problem for many folks, because anyone using an old-style antenna — and who does not have a TV set fed by cable service, satellite dish, or telephone provider — won’t get a signal unless they buy a new television or a converter box that attaches to the antenna. Converter boxes will cost $50-$70, but every household can receive two coupons — good for a $40 discount. These coupons take time to process, so it’s important to get your order in by December 15, 2008. For details and coupons, call the info line sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters at (toll-free) 888/388-2009, or go to http://www.dtvanswers.com. It’s sooner than you think!
2009 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION TICKET REQUESTS
A massive number of requests have come to our office regarding the 2009 Presidential Inauguration tickets. Many constituents have been told to contact their State Senator in order to receive these tickets; however, Senator Hunter is not receiving an allotment of tickets. Senator Hunter is suggesting that constituents submit their request for tickets to US Senator Carl Levin's website at www.levin.senate.gov.
DELEG NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM BUILDERS TO BUILD ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES
The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth is now accepting applications from builders for grants of up to $5,000 each to build energy-efficient houses. DELEG will be awarding five federally-funded grants in the Energy Star Home Grants for Builders program as an incentive for Michigan builders to utilize the latest technology to reduce energy costs and pollution.
Applications can be obtained at the DELEG Energy Office web site at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice or by contacting Pat Hudson, Residential Programs, at (517) 241-6154 or via e-mail at hudsonp1@michigan.gov. The deadline for the 2009 grants is Monday, December 15, 2008.
TALK TIME WITH TUPAC: COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road—DECEMBER 5 COFFEE TIME IS CANCELED DUE TO A PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED COMMITMENT.
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.
