E-Newsletter, January 23, 2009
COBO CENTER EXPANSION BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
At the Detroit Auto Show recently, Governor Granholm signed into law legislation creating a new authority to oversee operations and renovations of the Cobo Conference Center. Improvements to Cobo are another component in bringing more economic development to Detroit. With a lot of hard work last fall, we were able to come to an agreement on legislation that will allow for these significant renovations. This will not only help us keep the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but will also help us attract other equally important conventions and events to the city.
The new law allows for a $279 million expansion to add more exhibit space, meeting rooms, and create construction jobs now as well as jobs at the facility when the work is completed. The money to fund the expansion will come from extending the state liquor sales tax through 2039, an extension of the tax on hotels and motels in the Detroit area, funds from Michigan’s cigarette tax, and a portion of the funds will come from the State.
The new five-member governing authority will be made up of appointees made by the governor, the Detroit Mayor, the Oakland and Wayne County Executives, and the chair of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. All five would have individual veto power over any decisions concerning the building and operation of Cobo Center.
LIGHT RAIL BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
Governor Jennifer Granholm recently signed the Woodward Light Rail package of bills into law. I am proud to have been the sponsor of Senate Bill 1590 in this bipartisan and bicameral package which allows for a street railway car system in Detroit. This light rail system will run from Woodward in downtown Detroit to the New Center Area. The new law allows a nonprofit organization to build and operate this system, and supporters have already raised $100 million to fund and build it. Adding this kind of mass transportation to Detroit will help attract businesses and spur economic development within the city. The new law also allows for the creation of nonprofit entities in other cities to fund and build rail lines such as the one planned for Detroit.
QUESTIONS TO ASK A TAX PREPARER DURING THE 2009 TAX FILING SEASON
It’s tax season again, and may of us use tax preparers to fill out and file our federal, state and local taxes. The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) has compiled a brochure of questions to ask a preparer to make sure that they are doing their job efficiently. The brochure can be found on the MACPA website at http://www.michcpa.org.
The questions you should ask a tax preparer include: how do you charge your fee for your service, and how much will it cost; how long have you been preparing tax returns; are you open and available all year long; will I receive my refund directly either by direct deposit into my checking or savings account, or by mail at my address; and if the Michigan Department of Treasury contacts me about my return, will you be able to assist me.
The association’s website also includes tips, hints and warning signs you should be aware of when looking for someone to help you with your tax return.
STATE ADDS MORE WORKERS AND COMPUTER SERVERS TO HANDLE UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS
Governor Jennifer Granholm announced this week that the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) would be adding workers, more computer servers to handle internet filings, and expanded hours to deal with the number of people trying to file unemployment claims. The State is in the process of hiring another 276 employees to staff Remote Initial Claims Centers (RICCs) and Problem Resolution Offices (PROs) beginning on January 26. The RICCs, which are call centers, will also remain open three hours longer each day until 6 p.m. on weekdays. PROs will be open two additional hours each day, and staff will work until 7:30 p.m. each night to process additional claims. Beginning on January 29, there will be expanded hours for MARVIN including availability on Saturdays. MARVIN is also now available on the internet, which will allow people to certify for their benefits online instead of by telephone. UIA has also added additional computer servers to allow them to process more claims, and to a
llow people to access services via the internet more easily.
If you or someone you know is filing for unemployment benefits, here are some tips that also may help you through the process. If you are filing online at the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s website at http://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.
NEW PROMISE ZONES COULD HELP DETROIT STUDENTS
Two bills recently signed into law could help more Detroit students with the cost of a college education. The new laws allow local communities to establish Promise Zones, which will help students living in these zones with the cost of either a two-year or four-year degree. Up to 10 Promise Zones can be created to capture one-half the growth in the state education tax to support a local effort to promise a college education to students who live in the zone. Before given approval for the tax capture, the zone must show that it has the means to fund the first two years of the promise. Promise Zones will be located in cities with high rates of poverty. They are modeled after the private Kalamazoo Promise, which guarantees students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools free tuition at any state university or community college in Michigan.
RECYCLE IN INKSTER
The City of Inkster has a drop-off recycling center scheduled for the first Saturday of every month (except for holidays). The site is located at the parking lot at Kurtsell Street and Huck Court located one block north of Michigan Avenue and one block west of Inkster Road. The following recyclables are collected: NEWSPAPERS: Tied or placed in brown paper bags; PLASTIC CONTAINERS: Marked #1 or #2 (inside the triangular recycling symbol), rinsed clean with caps removed, and flattened when possible; GLASS: Clear, brown, and green, rinsed and unbroken; TIN, STEEL AND ALUMINUM: Clean cans completely; PAINT: Paint must be dried out and in solid form with lids off. The recycling program does not accept aluminum foil products, oil, or glossy magazines.
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 their website at http://www.thawfund.org.
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://www.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.
