E-Newsletter, January 30, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER APPLAUDS APPOINTMENT OF DPS EMERGENCY FINANCIAL MANAGER
I am very pleased with Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s appointment of Robert C. Bobb to be the emergency financial manager for the Detroit Public Schools. Mr. Bobb will bring much needed experience to the challenging task of helping the Detroit Public School system get back on solid financial ground. Having Mr. Bobb on the job will, I believe, allow the school board to work on making the Detroit Public School District more competitive by offering a first class education for the students across the city.
Mr. Bobb has worked in executive management in both the public and private sectors. He is an expert on issues facing urban government, including education. He is currently the owner, president and CEO of LAPA, LLC, a multi-faceted private/public sector consulting firm. In November of 2006 he was elected to a two-year term as president of the Washington, D.C. Board of Education.
To read my release on Mr. Bobb’s appointment go to: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1168.
SENATE APPROVES BILL TO ELIMINATE THE MBT SURCHARGE
The Michigan Senate on Thursday voted to eliminate the 22 percent Michigan Business Tax (MBT) Surcharge. The MBT was adopted in October 2007 in an effort to balance the state budget and avoid a government shutdown. Since that time many businesses have told of the harmful effects of the tax on their bottom line. Senators who supported the elimination of the tax believe that it will help businesses stay in the state and grow and expand. This in turn will also help put more Michigan citizens back to work.
As passed by the Senate, Senate Bill 1 will phase out the current 22% surcharge on the business tax over the next two years. The surcharge will be reduced by 50% in 2009 followed by its complete elimination in 2010. The legislation will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives for that chamber’s consideration.
ATTEMPT TO DELAY SWITCH TO DIGITAL TV FAILS IN U.S. HOUSE
The United States Senate this week approved a plan to delay the switch to digital TV by four months, but Congressional Republicans in the United States House of Representatives then blocked the plan. The plan to delay the switch passed unanimously in the Senate, but the vote in the House was 258-168. The House needed 282 yes votes in order to delay the transition to digital. A special set of rules covering the bill demanded a two-thirds vote in order to approve the delay.
As it stands now, February 17, 2009, is still the date of the nationwide change to digital television. 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.
“MONEY BACK IN MICHIGAN” CAN PUT MORE IN YOUR POCKET
Lower-income families can put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back into their wallets by making sure they file for all available credits and deductions during tax season. The 2009 edition of Money Back in Michigan by the Michigan League for Human Services encourages households to take advantage of seven federal and state tax credits and deductions. The packet also encourages tax-filers to use free tax preparation services and skip expensive "rapid refund" centers. A new credit this year is the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, aimed at helping low-income working families. The Money Back in Michigan packet also encourages tax-filers to use IRS-trained volunteers for help in filing taxes. Visit http://www.michiganEIC.org or call 1-800-552-1183 to find the closest Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site.
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.
CENSUS BUREAU HIRING FOR TEMPORARY POSITIONS
The Census Bureau, a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is gearing up for the 2010 Census, the information the government uses to determine how to distribute $300 billion annually in government funding for community services. The U.S. Constitution requires a national Census every 10 years. The positions, which pay $10.50 to $17 hourly, include office clerk, recruiting assistant, administrative assistant, office operations supervisor, enumerator, crew leader, crew leader assistant and field operations supervisor. Practice tests, job descriptions and applications are available online at http://www.2010censusjobs.gov.
STUDENTS, PARENTS ADVISED TO APPLY EARLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
Educational counselors are advising students to apply early and often this year for financial aid if they are planning to attend college next fall. Experts say competition for college financial aid will be tougher this year because of decreased endowments, fewer private student loans and increased unemployment. Students should also make sure they fill out the paperwork for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. The FAFSA form is needed to apply for state and federal grants and loans. It also is a must for the need-based scholarships and grants awarded by colleges and universities. The deadline for the FAFSA is March 1, but many types of financial aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. You can find more information about FAFSA at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
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.
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.
