E-Newsletter, March 13, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENTS
Senator Hunter this week introduced legislation requiring insurance companies to cover treatments and services related to autism. These services include but are not limited to therapeutic evaluations and interventions, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, intensive early intervention, and applied behavioral analysis and therapy.
Without private group health insurance coverage, many families find it nearly impossible to get their child into an effective treatment program quickly. Too many parents have been forced to pay for treatments out of their own pocket, and many more cannot afford these necessary treatments. Senator Hunter’s legislation would make treatment programs more accessible to parents and their child early in their diagnosis. This will improve a child’s chance to reach their full potential and so decrease the long-term treatment costs.
According to the National Council of State Legislatures, eight states have enacted legislation in the last two years to require insurance companies to cover autism treatments. Those states are: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. Missouri is the latest state to consider this legislation with House and Senate committees both acting on bills mandating childhood autism coverage.
To read Senator Hunter’s press release on these bills visit his website at: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/press.php
SENATE DEMOCRATS OPPOSE SLOWING DOWN PROCESS OF USING STIMULUS FUNDS TO CREATE JOBS
This week Senate Democrats urged swift action on using federal stimulus funding coming into Michigan to create jobs and get people back to work. On a party line vote, Senate Republicans were able to create a new government subcommittee to study the process and slow down decisions on how or if the funds will be used. Democrats opposed the creation of the committee arguing that the money should be allocated in a more timely manner so that people can get back to work.
Governor Granholm has developed a website, http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-52827---,00.html, to share information on the stimulus effort and the federal General Accounting Office announced last week that Michigan will be one of 16 states nationwide that will be specifically monitored for evaluating the use and effectiveness of the funds. Senate Democrats also point out that the existing Appropriations Committees already understand the formulas to distribute these funds and can do it quickly. Every day that this new subcommittee spends learning about the stimulus plan is another day jobs are held up.
TAX SEASON MEANS MONEY BACK FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
Many low-income families can actually do better on their taxes this year thanks to federal and state tax credits. These credits can reduce a family’s tax bill or mean a larger refund. The federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supplements wages and reduces the tax burden on low- or moderate-income workers. All workers eligible for the federal EITC are eligible for the state EITC. People qualify based on their income, and it can be used by families, individuals raising children, and individuals with no children. Workers who do not make enough to file a tax return can also qualify, but they must file a tax form. The federal EITC refund can be as much as $5,300, and the state EITC refund can be nearly $500 depending on income, marital status and number of children.
The federal Dependent Child Care Credit assists families with the cost of care for children or other dependent relatives, and can be claimed for a child under the age of 13 or for a disabled adult. The credit lets families claim a portion of their care expenses, and is only available to families earning enough money to pay taxes. The federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) is for families raising children under age 17. The child can be the tax filer’s own child, a relative the filer cares for as their own, or a foster child placed by an agency who has lived with the filer for more than six months.
The state Child Deduction is worth $600 and is available to anyone raising children under age 18. The deduction is available for each child claimed as an exemption.
The state Homestead Property Tax Credit is for residents paying high property taxes in relation to their income. To qualify, a person’s income must be below $82,650. The state Home Heating Tax Credit is for low-income households. Eligibility is based on household income, number of exemptions claimed, and actual home heating costs. Depending on the filer’s situation, the credit will come back as an energy voucher that can go to the energy provider, a check for one-half the credit amount, or a credit that will be sent directly to the energy provider.
Many of these credits require extra forms. State and federal tax forms are free and can be found at the post office and your local library. You can also call 1-800-TAX-FORM to receive federal forms. Tax forms can also be downloaded from the state website: www.michigan.gov/taxes, and federal website: www.irs.gov. Filling these forms out yourself is best. Using a tax preparer to get a quick refund will cost money. If you do the forms yourself, then you keep the money for yourself.
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 recently 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.
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.
“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.
