E-Newsletter, December 22, 2008
SENATOR HUNTER HONORED WITH MICHIGAN’S CHILDREN’S LEGACY HERO AWARD
On December 9th, Senator Hunter was honored by the advocacy group Michigan’s Children with their Legacy Hero Award. This is the ninth year that this group has honored legislators for their work for children. Senator Hunter is the sponsor of legislation to require insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment programs for autism, and legislation that would create an autism research fund. He also is the sponsor of a resolution encouraging Congress to enact the Teacher Education for Autistic Children Act. He has also introduced resolutions calling on Congress to enact the federal Protecting Children’s Health in Schools Act, and a resolution calling on Congress to enact H.R. 4230, the School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act of 2007.
HUNTER BILL PREVENTING DEED FRAUD SENT TO GOVERNOR
My bill to close a loophole that allowed con artists to run mortgage scams has won approval from the Senate and the House and has been sent Governor Jennifer Granholm for her signature. 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.
This bill will 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 WINS FINAL APPROVAL
The Legislature gave final approval to 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 and House 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. Along with Senate Bill 1590, the other bills in the package that now go to Governor Granholm for her signature are: House Bills 6542, 6543, 6546, and 6625.
LEGISLATURE APPROVES DETROIT COBO CENTER BILLS
On the last day of the current legislative session, the Legislature gave final approval to Senate Bills 1630 and 1633 that will create a new authority to oversee operations and renovations of Detroit's Cobo Center. The package also limits the cost for renovations to $288 million. The passage of these bills keeps the Cobo Hall renovation issue alive, which many say is a necessary step to keep the popular North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
LEGISLATURE CREATES STATE’S FIRST COMPUTER TAKE-BACK PROGRAM
Legislation creating Michigan’s first computer and monitor take-back program has been sent to Governor Jennifer Granholm for her approval. The program is designed to increase the recycling of old, unwanted electronics. Bills 6714 and 6715 and Senate Bills 897 and 898 require computer manufacturers to create a computer take-back program by April 2010 and be registered with the Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) by 2015. The waste industry, Dell Computers, Hewlett Packard, and the DEQ support this legislation that would help reduce pollution, recover valuable materials and conserve resources.
HUNTER SAYS FINANCIAL MANAGER IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
I support 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 In December 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 Legislature has given final 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. SB 1020 now goes to Governor Granholm to be signed into law.
LEGISLATURE APPROVES BUDGET CUTS
Governor Granholm’s executive order (EO) was approved recently by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The governor’s order called for $134 million in cuts. Spending reductions will come from a decrease in caseloads at the Department of Human Services, and from the closure of a prison and correctional camp. The inmates will be moved to other facilities, and staff are also expected be able to take jobs at other facilities. The EO does not cut funding for schools, community colleges and four-year universities. There are also no cuts to revenue sharing, which provides necessary services such as police and fire fighters for local communities
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
