E-Newsletter, December 12, 2008
HUNTER SAYS FINANCIAL MANAGER IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Senator Tupac Hunter this week applauded State Superintendent Michael Flanagan’s appointment of an Emergency Financial Manager for the Detroit Public Schools system. Flanagan announced the appointment of the financial manager earlier this week after the school system failed to meet the conditions of a consent agreement with the state to avoid such an appointment. The DPS system is trying to eliminate a $112.8 million deficit. The consent agreement required detailed financial reports be filed with the state. DPS officials were warned by Flanagan that they had one last opportunity to meet the conditions and retain control. Flanagan said that the school system had not met the conditions and declared a financial emergency and will appoint a financial manager.
I believe that the appointment of a financial manager is the kind of strong, decisive action that will put the educational well-being of Detroit’s children first, before any other considerations. The DPS system has struggled with this problem long enough on its own. Now the district will get the financial assistance it needs so that they can get back to the important business of educating the students to succeed in the global economy.
To read my press release on the appointment of a financial manager go to:
http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1134.
SENATE APPROVES HUNTER BILL FOR IDA BUSINESS TAX CREDIT
The Senate gave approval to my bill, Senate Bill 1020, that provides a tax credit for businesses that contribute to the Individual or Family Development Account Program. The bill amends the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) to give these businesses a 75 percent tax credit for these contributions. Current law only allows credits for these contributions against the income tax, so the credits typically go to individuals and not businesses. There is a cumulative annual limit of $1 million under the bill. The credit is not refundable but can be carried forward for up to 10 years.
The Individual or Family Development Account Program sets up a system to encourage investment for tuition and fees for college/technical students, first –time home purchases, and business capitalization. People who can benefit from this program are limited to those under 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
MDOT PROJECTS WILL IMPROVE ROADS IN DETROIT, DEARBORN AND DEARBORN HEIGHTS
The Michigan Department of Transportation has a number of road projects active in our communities, and have completed other projects in recent months. Recent projects included work on US-24, US-12, and M-153 (Ford Road). Projects scheduled to begin in 2009 and run through 2013 include: US-12 westbound and eastbound over M-39 in Wayne County; US-12 bridge replacement over the Rouge River; US-24 at M-153; intersection improvements; work on seven bridges on M-39 in Wayne County; Route M-39, I-94 to M-153 (Ford Road) concrete crack and joint sealing.
GRANHOLM ALLOCATES $2 MILLION FOR NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) recently awarded $2,000,000 of the State General Fund to the 25 Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) to support the No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) initiative.
NWLB gives Michigan residents the opportunity to acquire the skills they need to win good-paying jobs in today's global economy. It provides up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program for qualifying participants. This kind of support from the Governor and DELEG will help enroll thousands more Michigan residents into training programs so that they can find and succeed in good-paying jobs.
HUNTER BILL PREVENTING DEED FRAUD APPROVED BY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
My bill to close a loophole that allows for con artists to run mortgage scams has received final approval by the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 927 now goes to Governor Jennifer Granholm to be signed into law. 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 nine 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.
HUNTER WOODWARD LIGHT RAIL BILL VOTED OUT OF HOUSE
The House of Representatives recently passed Senate Bill 1590, a bill that I sponsored that would allow for a street railway car system in Detroit. SB 1590 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. Senate Bill 1590 now comes back to the Senate for a vote to adopt the changes in the bill made by the House.
To read my press release on SB 1590 go to:
http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1131
HUNTER BILL TO HELP LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS SAVE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS PASSES SENATE
The Senate recently passed my bill, Senate Bill 1637, to allow people to establish accounts to save for energy efficiency improvements for their homes. This bill will help low-income families save on their utility costs, and will also help us in our quest to become an energy-saving, green community.
SB 1637 is part of a package of bills that expands the Individual or Family Development Account Program in the Michigan State Housing Authority (MSHDA). The program was created in 2006 to give low-income earners a chance to save for a home, a college education, or a business and receive matching funds from public or private sources. SB 1637 would authorize MSHDA to administer this expanded version of the Individual or Family Development Account Program. The other bills in the package, SB 1635 and 1636, would amend the Individual or Family Development Account Program Act to allow people to establish accounts to save for qualified home improvements, such as the purchase and installation of a qualified Energy Star product. These products would include windows, doors, insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, and any appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
To read my press release on SB 1637 go to:
http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1119.
HUNTER BILLS TO HELP PREVENT CIGARETTE-CAUSED FIRES MOVE TOWARD HOUSE APPROVAL
The House Committee on Regulatory Reform passed Senate Bill 1620 and 1621, bills that I sponsored which would require cigarette manufacturers to meet certain fire-safety standards. The bills now head to the House Floor for final approval. This legislation will help us in the fight to prevent fires caused by burning cigarettes. Senate Bills 1620 and 1621 would require testing the fire-safety of tobacco products sold in Michigan. Currently, 37 other states have fire-safe tobacco laws. The purpose of these laws is to decrease cigarette-related fires by requiring that cigarettes be designed to not stay lit if they are not being drawn upon. The legislation creates a fine of not more than $100 per pack if a manufacturer, wholesaler, dealer or agent sells or offers to sell cigarettes in violation of this requirement. Any fines collected would be deposited into the Cigarette Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act Fund that would be created in the Michigan Department of Treasury. This money may only be used to support fire safety and prevention programs.
The U.S. Fire Administration, within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, says that at least 1,000 smokers and non-smokers die every year in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. Of that number, one in four who died in home fires were not the smoker whose cigarette caused the fire, and one third of those who died were children. The administration encourages smokers to use slow burn cigarettes.
To read my press release on SB 1620 and 1621 go to:
http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1112.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES
Each year, many families tragically lose their homes because of Christmas tree fires. Here's what you can do to keep your home safe during the holiday season:
- Pick the freshest tree you can find. If needles drop profusely when the tree is tapped against the ground, you should look for a different tree.
- Keep the tree outdoors with the trunk in water for as long as possible. Once a tree enters a heated home, they will dry out more quickly.
- Make sure to check the water level daily, and refill as needed.
- Place the tree away from heating registers, fireplaces, wood stoves and electrical wires.
- When lighting the tree, do not overload extension cords and avoid damaged sockets.
REPORTING BURNED-OUT STREET LIGHTS
The new director of Detroit’s Public Lighting Department wants you to call 313-267-8159when the lights are out on your block! This is an internal DPL telephone number, answered by a person who will give you a work order number that can be tracked. But PLEASE when you call, have addresses for where the light is out, or in the case of a series of lights out, have the side street names!
FREE HOME REPAIR WORKSHOPS IN 2009
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) is hosting a FREE9-week Home Repair Workshop series beginning on Tuesday, January 6, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Topics will include weatherization and energy conservation, introduction to carpentry, basic plumbing repair, electrical repair, wall repair and painting, outdoor maintenance and more. All workshops will be held at GRDC’s offices at 19800 Grand River. All are invited, but there’s a limit of 20 people per session, so RSVPs are required. To sign up for a workshop, contact Patrick Williams at 313-387-4732, ext. 104, or pjwillia@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, my office is not receiving an allotment of tickets. Instead, interested constituents can submit their request for tickets to U.S. Senator Carl Levin's website at www.levin.senate.gov.
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.
