E-Newsletter, March 27, 2009
SENATOR HUNTER JOINS COLLEAGUES AND VOTES TO CUT LEGISLATOR PAY
Senator Hunter joined with his Senate colleagues this week and voted in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 to cut legislators’ salaries by 10 percent. The resolution was earlier passed by the House of Representatives. The reduced pay would take effect after the 2010 election when newly elected officials take office in January of 2011. The pay reduction would affect Senator Hunter because he is eligible to run for re-election in 2010.
The Senate Democrats have also offered a plan that would reduce the Majority Senate office budgets by the same level. By reducing the Majority office budgets down to the same amount that is allotted for their Democratic counterparts, the Senate Republicans could save nearly twice as much as the legislator pay cut, it could occur immediately for instant savings, and it would not need any further approval by other chambers, the Governor, or commissions. Under SR 15, all Senate offices, in the Majority or Minority, Democrat or Republican, will receive equal compensation and expense amounts to best serve their constituents.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SPENDS FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS TO FIX WAYNE COUNTY ROADS
This week, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced road projects across Michigan that are ready to go and will receive federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to put people back to work fixing our roads and bridges.
Funding is determined by a formula used for the distribution of all federal funds. To meet the criteria, Michigan transportation projects must be ready to go within 120 days, be eligible for federal aid, and be approved through the federal aid process. Distribution within the state is determined by population, where the dollars will have the most impact in creating jobs, and where the greatest need for infrastructure improvements exists.
A number of those projects are located in the Detroit area and surrounding communities. In the Fifth Senate District, $4 million will go towards resurfacing M-39 between McNichols and M-153. Other projects include: $22 million for deck replacement on a total of 11 bridges over I-96; 13 million for M-8 resurfacing from Oakland to Conant; $4.3 million for deck replacement on Joseph Campau and Goddard over M-8; and $1.7 million for the installation of an active speed system on I-94 eastbound and westbound at I-96.
The goal of these projects is to stimulate economic activity statewide, and to create as many jobs as possible. If projects are completed within a set frame of time, the state will be eligible for an additional $120 million in funding, which combined with the initial investments will create an estimated 25,000 jobs.
To read the press release about all the projects in the Detroit area go to: http://www.senate.mi.gov/demcaucus/pr.php?id=1265.
SENATOR HUNTER ARGUES AGAINST SENATE REPUBLICAN CHANGES TO FORECLOSURE BILLS
Senator Hunter this week voted against three House sponsored foreclosure bills in committee after Senate Republicans changed the bills so that they gave far less help to stressed homeowners. As they were first introduced in the State House of Representatives, House Bills 4453, 4454, and 4455 said that if a lender refused to modify a loan for a qualified borrower, then the foreclosure proceeding would be converted to a judicial proceeding. Senate Republicans, however, changed the bills when they were considered in the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions and stripped this judicial foreclosure provision. Senator Hunter and the other Democrats on the committee offered amendments to restore this provision, but the amendments were defeated by the Republican majority.
The judicial foreclosure provision would have required lenders to work with a borrower who qualifies for loan modification under the FDIC workout program. It would have targeted those homeowners who could afford to stay in their homes if their mortgage was modified. Not every home can always be saved from foreclosure but these bills, as they were introduced in the House, would have saved many homes which in turn would benefit communities across the state. The House bills will next be considered by the full Senate.
To read about Senator Hunter’s efforts on behalf of Michigan homeowners go to: http://www.senate.mi.gov/demcaucus/pr.php?id=1261.
SENATOR HUNTER’S BILL TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WINS SENATE APPROVAL
The Senate this week gave approval to Senator Hunter’s bill extending unemployment benefits. Senate Bill 401 makes small but crucial changes to the Michigan Employment Security Act (MESA) to trigger the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the federal stimulus plan). The bill will both extend unemployment benefits an extra seven weeks, and allow the federal government to pay for 100% of this extension. Currently, the State of Michigan pays 50% of extended unemployment benefits and the federal government picks up the other 50%. SB 401 is part of a three bill package.
Many Michigan workers are nearing the end of their benefits, yet they have still been unable to find work. A seven week extension will give these families a bit of breathing room while they continue to look for work.
SENATOR HUNTER INTRODUCES LEGISLATION REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENTS
Senator Hunter has 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, at least 10 states specifically require insurers to cover autism treatments. Another eight states have enacted legislation in the last two years to require insurance companies to offer this coverage. 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 recently acting on bills mandating childhood autism coverage.
To read the press release about Senator Hunter’s legislation go to: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1237.
REMEMBER TO VOTE MAY 5
Remember to cast your ballot in the Tuesday, May 5 local election if your area is holding one. To find out if there is an election in your community, visit the Secretary of State website at www.Michigan.gov/sos or check with your county clerk’s office. The Michigan Voter Information Center is another helpful resource. It helps you determine whether you’re registered to vote and it will direct you to your polling location. The website is www.Michigan.gov/vote.
Voters who need to have their absentee ballot mailed to them must apply no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. on Monday, May 4.
Please remember that Michigan has a voter identification requirement. You will be asked to present photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver’s license or identification card. If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID or didn’t bring it with you, you can still vote. You will just need to sign a brief affidavit stating that you’re not in possession of a photo ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
As part of the Buy Michigan First initiative, the Michigan Department of Management and Budget (DMB) offers free seminars to guide business owners in bidding on and obtaining contracts with the state. These seminars provide business owners an overview of the Michigan procurement process for commodities, services, information technology, design and construction, and real estate leasing. The department also offers a second seminar to prepare businesses to create a quality proposal.
This program encourages businesses, including under-represented businesses, to register as vendors and bid on more than 1,200 contracts valued at over $19 billion. The purpose of Buy Michigan First is to increase awareness on how to do business with the state, increase the number of Michigan businesses registering as vendors and bidding on contracts, and to increase the awareness of resources available to small businesses. The end goal is to create jobs, diversify our economy, and drive down the cost of government.
Some seminars are held in partnership with the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs). PTACs are not-for-profit organizations funded by the Defense Logistics Agency, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and local funding partners. The mission of the PTACs of Michigan is to enhance the national defense and economic development of the state by assisting Michigan businesses in obtaining federal, state and local government contracts.
There are two types of seminars to prepare a business owner to become a vendor including: “Contracting 101,” which provides general information to guide business owners in bidding and obtaining contracts with the state. The other seminar offered is “Elements of a Quality Proposal,” which is best for those who have already participated in a “Contracting 101” session. It provides a more detailed presentation to help a prospective vendor understand purchasing language and understand the things that should be in a quality proposal. Information is also provided on common mistakes that vendors make when they submit bids to the State.
To learn more about Buy Michigan First, including the most up-to-date schedule of seminars, please go to www.michigan.gov/BuyMichiganFirst.
“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.
