E-Newsletter, March 6, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO REFORM THE DETROIT HARDSHIP PANEL
This week, Senator Hunter introduced Senate Bill 336 which would reform the Detroit Hardship Panel. The Hardship Panel is designed to grant financial support to property owners whose incomes fall below the federal poverty guidelines. It has become evident, however, that several committee members have been repeatedly waiving or ignoring the guidelines for approving applicants, and have awarded thousands of dollars in tax exemptions to seemingly well-to-do homeowners.
Senate Bill 366 would ensure that help from the Hardship Panel only goes to those who truly need it and meet specific criteria. The bill requires that a tax exemption is only allowed for a principal residence that has a taxable value of less than $200,000. An applicant could not apply for a tax exemption if they owned any other property. In addition, the bill also outlines specific qualifications for members of this panel. Panel members would be subject to a criminal background check, could not have any outstanding liens or property tax delinquencies, could not be related to a city council member, and would have to excuse themselves from deliberations if they know the applicant. The provisions in this bill would apply to similar panels in any city, and not just in Detroit. Senate Bill 366 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
MICHIGAN OFFERS ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR BUSINESS
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently announced the Michigan Business One Stop, a one-of-its-kind program that reforms the way companies will now do business with the State of Michigan. The program provides more than 650,000 businesses across Michigan with a single source for government information and services they need.
Michigan Business One Stop is an online service that guides users who want to start, operate or expand a business in Michigan. Business owners can apply for or renew permits and licenses, file annual reports and pay unemployment taxes, or any other fees they are subject to under state law. Information is shared across state departments with one, easy e-payment system, and the site provides businesses information about transaction status in a new, paperless environment. In addition to the new website, the program offers a staffed consolidated call center housed in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and a Michigan business ombudsman who will lead a team at the MEDC to assess business issues and mediate solutions to help both businesses and state agencies move forward in a coordinated fashion.
Michigan Business One Stop can be found at www.michigan.gov/business.
SENATOR HUNTER SPONSORS BILL IN HIRE MICHIGAN FIRST PACKAGE
Recently, the Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills that would give Michigan workers priority for jobs on state-funded projects, and call for stronger penalties for those who hire undocumented workers. The goal with the “Hire Michigan First” plan is to get thousands of dedicated workers in Michigan back on the job.
The bills in the Hire Michigan First plan call for:
Awarding state tax breaks and other economic development incentives to companies that hire the most Michigan residents. This rule would apply to projects handled by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state-funded programs, including the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, the Renaissance Zone Act, and others.
Encouraging transparency and accountability by requiring companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are given priority.
Discouraging the hiring of undocumented workers by canceling state contracts and tax incentives for companies that employ illegal labor, requiring them to pay back incentives they received and barring them from future contracts.
Senator Hunter’s bill would require the Department of Management and Budget to report annually (1) the number of Michigan residents employed in new jobs from the construction, alteration, repair, or rebuilding of a state building or other state property; (2) the number of new jobs created from the construction, alteration, repair, or rebuilding of a state building or other state property; and (3) the specific reason for each extension or omission granted to the residency requirement, included in another bill in the package, that requires that people working on these state projects be Michigan residents.
FEDERAL PLAN WOULD HELP FAMILIES STAY IN HOMES
President Obama’s plan to help families facing home foreclosures is now open for business. The President and his Housing Secretary, Shaun Donovan, officially announced the plan that could help as many as seven to nine million homeowners throughout the United States on March 4. The $75 billion plan would help those who are making a good faith effort to stay current on their mortgage payments. The comprehensive plan would:
Offer a loan modification plan through a shared effort with lenders to reduce interest payments, and offer incentives to mortgage servicers and borrowers;
Create clear and consistent guidelines for loan modifications;
Require participation of lenders who have recently received money from the government;
Allow for loan modifications of home mortgages during bankruptcy;
Strengthen ‘Hope for Homeowners’ and other FHA Loan programs;
And support local communities and help displaced renters.
The plan also would provide access to low-cost refinancing for responsible homeowners suffering from falling home prices. The plan would help homeowners who do not now qualify for refinancing because they do not have 20 percent equity in their home to qualify so that they can lower their monthly payments and stay in their homes.
To read more about this plan visit the website at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development at http://www.hud.gov/.
SENATE DEMOCRATS FORCE VOTE ON ALLOWING NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTING IN MICHIGAN
Senate Democrats’ efforts this week to pass legislation that would allow any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot to increase voter access and participation were again blocked by Senate Republicans on a party line vote. Democrats tried to include the absentee voting measure in the vote on a series of bills (SB 21-24) that would amend the Michigan Election Law as it pertains to certain judicial races.
SB 97 would eliminate the state’s current requirements for a voter to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. In order to vote absentee, citizens must meet one of the following narrow qualifications: Absentee voters must be 60 years old or older; are unable to vote without assistance at the polls; expect to be out of town on Election Day; are in jail awaiting arraignment or trial; are unable to vote on Election Day for religious reasons; or have been appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct besides the one where they normally vote. Twenty-eight states currently have no reason absentee voting legislation, with three additional states permitting in person voting prior to Election Day.
SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICES OFFER ASSISTANCE TO DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CUSTOMERS
Certain Secretary of State Offices now offer a new video system that makes it easier for deaf and hard of hearing customers to conduct their business. Part of a year long pilot program, the system uses a monitor with a built-in camera and audio system to connect the customer and branch office clerk to a sign language interpreter at a special communication relay center. During a transaction, the customer signs to an interpreter on screen who voices the comments, which are transmitted via headphones to the clerk. The clerk’s responses are picked up by a microphone, and the interpreter translates the speech into signs for the customer. There is no cost to the customer.
The system provides a means of communication that is more natural and faster than using a pencil and paper or lip-reading, especially for people who exclusively use sign language. It also presents customers who are deaf and hard of hearing with the option of accessing interpreter services on the spot.
In the Detroit area this service is available at these Secretary of State Offices:
· Clinton Township SUPER!Center, 37015 S. Gratiot Ave.
· Detroit New Center SUPER!Center, Cadillac Place, 3046 W. Grand Blvd.
· Livonia Area SUPER!Center, 17176 Farmington Rd.
· Oakland County SUPER!Center, 1608 N. Perry St., Pontiac
FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE INCLUDES FUNDING FOR MICHIGAN SCHOOLS
Under the federal stimulus package recently signed by President Obama, education funding would get a boost with $163.5 million for “Education Incentive” grants, $419.5 million for special education funding, $24 million for school technology programs and $3.8 million for teacher quality enhancement.
The Senate Fiscal Agency estimates that the Detroit City School District will receive the following amounts for these specific programs: Title 1 Funding: $155,466,349.00; Special Education Funding: $30,449,558.00; Incentive Grants Funding: $25,383,212.00; and Stabilization Funding: $566,105,184.00.
The Senate Fiscal Agency estimates that the Dearborn City School District will receive the following amounts for these specific programs: Title 1 Funding: $10,376,507; Special Education Funding: $3,925,844.00; Incentive Grants Funding: $1,694,187.00; and Stabilization Funding: $23,681,315.00.
The Senate Fiscal Agency estimates that the Dearborn Heights School District #7 will receive the following amounts for these specific programs: Title 1 Funding: $448,627.00; Special Education Funding: $673,826.00; Incentive Grants Funding: $73,248.00; and Stabilization Funding: $1,023,859.00.
This money should help alleviate some of the cuts to education that Governor Granholm outlined in the State Budget proposal that was released a few weeks ago. Those cuts included a $59 reduction per pupil in the foundation allowance, a 20 percent reduction in money for Section 20J (hold harmless) schools, and a 20 percent reduction in funding for Intermediate School Districts. These cuts should now not be necessary, although state officials are still encouraging schools to budget carefully.
The stimulus plan would also create the American Opportunity Tax Credit to make college more affordable for families. This new $2,500 partially refundable tax credit could help as many as 121,000 Michigan families. The Senate Fiscal Agency also believes that provisions of the stimulus plan for higher education funding require the state to fund universities and community colleges at the same levels they were funded at during this current budget year. This appears to mean that the state cannot reduce university funding by 3.2 percent which was proposed in the governor’s recent budget for 2009-2010.
FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE WILL HELP MICHIGAN
President Barack Obama recently signed a stimulus bill into law that will help Michigan fund necessary programs and infrastructure projects that will help put more people back to work. As many as 109,000 new Michigan jobs could be added according to federal officials. Michigan’s share of the $787 billion dollar stimulus package is about $6.7 billion.
Some of the stimulus money will be directed toward certain services. Decisions on how a portion of the money will be spent will be up to the governor and lawmakers. Governor Granholm has said that she is still waiting to hear exactly how much stimulus money the state will receive. A recent presentation by the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA) outlined the money the state could expect to receive.
Most wage earners will see tax breaks in their paychecks that, over time, will total $400 for individuals and $800 for couples. A one-time $250 payment will also go to Social Security recipients, low-income people on Supplemental Social Security Income, and veterans receiving disability and pensions.
In Michigan, unemployed workers would see a $100 increase per month, and the plan will also extend unemployment benefits for an additional 162,000 laid-off workers. In addition, there will be $105.9 million for workforce investment, with $87.1 million for dislocated workers and $16.1 million for the state’s unemployment system.
Michigan would receive $634.5 million for state roads, another $211.5 million for local roads, and $165 million for transit projects.
To help with Medicaid costs, Michigan should receive $882.6 million this year, and another $931.9 million in extra Medicaid funding next year. Other stimulus money will go for prevention and wellness programs, projects to modernize health information technology systems, and to help subsidize health insurance programs for the unemployed under the COBRA program.
More information on the stimulus package and its impact on Michigan can be found on Governor Granholm’s website at
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-46485_52682---,00.html.
“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.
