E-Newsletter, February 13, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES PROPERTY TAX REFORM BILL TO HELP SENIOR CITIZENS
Senator Hunter recently introduced legislation to help senior citizens with property taxes. Senate Bill 180 would allow local governments to exempt from paying property taxes any person age 65 or older whose income comes from Social Security. Property taxes can be overwhelmingly burdensome on a senior citizen living on a fixed income. This bill will help many senior citizens have a little more money to spend on other important needs, and will let them keep more of any increase in their Social Security checks. Senate Bill 180 was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
SENATE APPROVES FRIEND OF THE COURT REFORM PACKAGE
The Senate this week unanimously approved a bipartisan package of bills changing child support and Friend of the Court procedures. This package will help streamline government to make it work more efficiently. Senate Bills 99-107 would:
simplify payment plan requirements for past-due child support by giving judicial discretion;
permit law enforcement authorities to place boots on vehicles of those behind on child support;
allow the court to order a jail alternative program for non-payment of child support;
eliminate the automatic application of surcharges on overdue payments, and;
streamline the process of suspending licenses and reinstating them if child support is owed.
SENATE DEMOCRATS LAUNCH FACEBOOK, TWITTER PAGES
Recently, the Michigan Senate Democrats launched the state's first ever legislative caucus Facebook and Twitter pages. These new interactive tools will feature up-to-date information on legislation and issues of interest, offer an insider perspective of the Capitol and focus on the Senate Democrats’ priorities for Michigan. Through these new forms of media the Senate Democrats will be able to interact directly with the people of Michigan and receive feedback on what issues are most important to them.
The Senate Democrats’ Facebook page can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lansing-MI/Michigan-Senate-Democrats/57144052517?ref=mf.
The Twitter page can be found at: http://twitter.com/MISenDems.
You can also find my individual Facebook page by searching “Tupac A. Hunter” or clicking on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1098030766&ref=ts.
GRANHOLM CREATES GREAT LAKES WIND COUNCIL
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently signed Executive Order 2009-1, creating the Great Lakes Wind Council, an advisory body within the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth that will provide citizens with a public forum to begin to identify where, in the Great Lakes, wind energy systems may be sited.
In addition to looking at ways to best engage the people of Michigan about offshore wind, the council will identify criteria that can be used to review applications for offshore wind development. The council will also identify criteria for mapping areas that should be excluded from offshore wind development and those areas that are most favorable for such development, and provide a full report to the governor by September 1, 2009. It is essential that we make sure that we have criteria in place to assist this new energy venture as well as protect the Great Lakes that are extremely important to Michigan’s economy and our tourism industry.
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM DELIVERS SEVENTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
In her recent State of the State address, Governor Jennifer Granholm outlined a number of programs that will help Michigan weather the economic downturn we are currently experiencing.
The Governor called for the Legislature to pass the Michigan Home Foreclosure Prevention Act with proposals including: requiring 45 days notice before foreclosure proceedings begin; and extending the foreclosure filing date up to 90 days and/or require mediation for lender and borrower.
She has also called for greater help and protections for families and individuals struggling with high utility bills. She specifically asked the Public Service Commission to give further protection to vulnerable citizens. This plan would: place a ban on winter shut-offs; expand the winter protection program to include low-income families up to 200 percent of the poverty level; ensure that low- or no-income households are offered winter protection plans with affordable payment agreements to avoid shut-offs; require all utilities in the state to participate in the Gatekeeper program in order to identify and protect elderly at-risk citizens who may need extra help; and extend these protections through legislative action to customers of municipal utilities not under the Public Service Commission’s authority.
The Governor also focused on education calling for more rigorous small high schools to be created through the 21st Century Schools Fund. This is the kind of education reform we need in Detroit and across Michigan to make sure that our students are challenged and prepared for a global economy. Her request to our colleges and universities to freeze their tuition rates for the next school year will help already cash-strapped students and families afford higher education.
The Governor’s energy proposals will continue to help position Michigan as a leader in new energy technology and put the state on the right track. Renewable energy will bring jobs and savings to Michigan residents.
The Governor’s energy proposals include:
· allowing utility customers to make money by installing solar panels or wind systems on their homes or businesses and selling renewable energy back to the power company;
· asking Michigan utilities to invest in products and technologies, such as fuel efficient furnaces and LED light bulbs, that will lower bills for consumers and create jobs for Michigan workers;
· putting thousands of Michigan workers back to work weatherizing and installing renewable energy technologies in homes, schools and public buildings through the Michigan Energy Corps;
· saving money for consumers through Michigan Saves, a program with the utilities to allow homeowners and businesses to install renewable energy and energy efficiency products with no upfront costs, and pay for this investment through their utility bill.
The Governor also has plans to save taxpayers’ money by streamlining state government. She has asked Lt. Governor John Cherry to develop a plan that will, among other things, find a way to reduce the number of state departments from 18 to eight. She has also proposed the elimination of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, and will look for other ways to support the functions of that department.
The Governor also made very clear that while she will cut the budget, she will not cut health care to any Michigan child, senior citizen, or person with disabilities.
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE AUTISM RESEARCH FUND
Senator Hunter has introduced Senate Bill 177 which would create the Autism Research Fund in the Department of Community Health. Money in the fund would come from a state income tax check-off which would allow taxpayers to designate an amount of their state income tax refund to go into this fund.
Money from this fund would be used to promote and distribute research relating to autism including the triggers of autism and the methods of diagnosing and treating autism. The money could also be used for grants to Michigan hospitals that specialize in the research, diagnosis and treatment of autism, and to colleges or universities that conduct research related to autism as well as funding grants to other organizations approved by the department for research on autism.
Senate Bill 177 was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES HEARING AID/SCREENING BILLS
Senator Hunter has introduced a two-bill package of legislation to provide insurance coverage for audiological screening, diagnosis, treatment and costs of hearing aids for individuals who suffer from hearing loss.
Senate Bills 178 and 179 will ensure all health care organizations in Michigan provide coverage for those who are certified as deaf or severely hearing impaired by a licensed physician or audiologist. Hearing impairment is most common among senior citizens, where hearing loss is the third most prevalent, yet treatable disabling condition. But hearing loss also affects young people. As many as 33 babies are born every day with hearing loss, making it the number one birth defect in America.
Senate Bills 178 and 179 were referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform.
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.
“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.
