E-Newsletter, January 9, 2009
2008 LEGISLATIVE RECAP
Great Lakes Compact
This legislation is the most comprehensive set of water protections in the Great Lakes region and includes enacting the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact. It also establishes regulatory standards for large water withdrawals and bans significant diversions from Michigan water. The Great Lakes are extremely valuable to Michigan’s economy and people and the passage of this legislation truly marks a historical moment for Michigan.
Film Tax Credits
Early in 2008, the Senate passed a 16-bill package of incentives designed to attract the film industry to Michigan. The bicameral, bipartisan package includes credits of up to 42 percent for hiring Michigan residents. Since the passage of these investment incentives, 25 films have been produced in Michigan, creating over $100 million in revenue. One of them is in theaters now - Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino," which was filmed in Detroit. State film officials recently announced that they are on the verge of sealing an $80 million development deal that would create three film and television production studios in southeast Michigan.
Battery Production Subsidies
The legislature gave final approval to House Bill 6611 which will offer up to $335 in investment incentives for the development and manufacture of lithium-ion and other high-tech batteries used to power hybrid and electric cars. By instituting these incentives, Michigan will have the tools to retain its status as car capital of the world. This effort will also help jumpstart our economy, bringing in millions of dollars of investment and creating hundreds of jobs.
Renewable Energy Package
One of the biggest legislative accomplishments in 2008 was the passage of the renewable energy package, a bipartisan effort that will stimulate job growth, promote use of renewable energy resources and save ratepayers $4.3 billion in future energy costs. This legislation will help encourage new investment in our state, which will in turn create thousands of new jobs in renewable energy fields.
MEGA Incentives
This last session also saw the passage of legislation that put into place new incentives to spur economic growth and encourage businesses to offer health care coverage to workers. Senate Bill 1189, which I cosponsored, reduces the minimum amount of jobs and investments required to receive Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credits, making these incentives available to more small businesses. By making these credits more accessible, we can lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth by attracting and retaining small businesses in Michigan.
The MEGA Board has approved several projects since the signing of this legislation and recently approved a Brownfield Work Plan for the City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to redevelop the former Greater Detroit Hospital into a modern medical office and assisted living facility. The total capital investment for the office building is expected to be $8.9 million and total capital investment for the assisted living facility is expected to be $9.5 million. The project is expected to create up to 251 new jobs.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FILING TIPS
You may have heard recently about the problems some unemployed workers are having accessing the internet and telephone based unemployment filing systems. There are large numbers of people filing for benefits and this has posed some problems for the system. If you or someone you know is filing for unemployment benefits, here are some tips that may help you through the process.
If you are filing online at the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s (UIA) website at www.michigan.gov/uia, you will need the following information: Social Security number; MARVIN PIN (personal identification number), if one has been issued in the past; driver’s license number, or state identification number; date of birth; complete home address, including zip code, telephone number and county of residence. For each employer during the past 18 months you will need: employer’s name and address; first and last day of work; and earnings during the last 18 months. For those who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, an alien registration number and the expiration date for the work authorization are needed.
If you are filing by telephone there is a schedule for people calling to file. Unemployed workers can call 866-500-0017 to apply for benefits based on the last two digits of their Social Security Number. The schedule is 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday for those whose last two digits of their Social Security Number are 00-15; Tuesday for those with 34-38 digits and Wednesday for those with 67-81. Those with the last two digits of 16-33 are to call between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday; 49-66 on Tuesday and 82-99 on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are open call-in days.
MARVIN is the Michigan Automated Response Voice Interactive Network. Once you have a MARVIN pin number you can call into that system at 866-638-3993. You will have to call into MARVIN once every two weeks at a specified date and time to certify your claim.
If you have general questions about unemployment benefits you can call the Claimant Customer Relations hotline at 800-638-3995 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also visit a UIA walk-in Problem Resolution Center for help. The Detroit center is located at 3024 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-500, Detroit, MI 48202.
DTE ENERGY AND CONSUMERS ENERGY OFFER UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE
With winter upon us, it’s important that we begin preparing ourselves and our houses for the colder weather. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer a number of programs to help customers with their energy bills.
Payment assistance programs offered to customers include:
- Medical emergencies program to postpone shutoffs in the event of a medical issue;
- Shutoff protection plan to spread future bills out over the year and to include equal monthly payments on an unpaid balance in order to avoid a shutoff.
Some consumers and all senior citizens regardless of their income also qualify for DTE Energy’s Winter Protection Plan. This program protects seniors and low-income customers from shutoff between November 1 and March 31. During this period, customers must pay a portion of their estimated annual bill plus regular payments on any past-due bills. After March 31, the required bill payments will increase to cover winter bills.
Many assistance programs are available by calling 2-1-1 at United Way. Programs that are available include:
- Low-income weatherization that includes caulking, weather stripping, and insulation;
- THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund, which helps people facing a shutoff and who have exhausted all federal and state funding programs. Visit: www.thawfund.org.
You may also wish to take steps this season to reduce the amount of energy that your household uses in order to offset the usual increase in utility bills that comes with colder weather. The U.S. Department of Energy has developed a useful guide with suggestions on how to reduce your energy consumption that they have made available online at: www.energysavers.gov.
There is also the State Emergency Relief Program to help with paying energy bills. This program can be accessed through your local Department of Human Services office or the Energy Assistance Hotline at 800-292-5650. Additional information about this program can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance/0,1607,7-215-33211-105989--,00.html.
JANUARY IS MICHIGAN MENTORING MONTH
Governor Granholm recently designated January as Michigan Mentoring Month, a designation that coincides with the national celebration of mentoring month, which calls on volunteers across the state to mentor in 2009. Mentoring is simple and can make a huge difference in a person’s life. There are many children waiting to be matched with a caring adult in Michigan. For more information on mentoring, call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.mentormichigan.com.
DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX BARGAINS
As you may already know, February 17, 2009, is the date of the nationwide change to digital television––and it’s sooner than you think! This is a problem for many people who use an old-style antenna and do not have a TV set fed by cable service, satellite dish or telephone provider and will not be able to get a signal until they buy a new TV or a converter box.
Converter boxes will cost $50-$70, but every household can receive two coupons good for a $40 discount by calling the info line sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters at (toll-free) 888-388-2009 or visiting their website at http://dtvanswers.com.
Remember that if you have cable television, you will not need the conversion box. You will not have to take any action for the conversion.
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.
