E-Newsletter, May 22, 2009
COOPERATION, NOT ULTIMATUMS, NEEDED FOR COBO
Senator Hunter said this week that legislation giving the Detroit City Council an ultimatum on the future of Cobo Center is the wrong way to deal with the issue. Republican–sponsored bills would try to force the Detroit City Council to accept a plan for the Cobo Center that they have already rejected. Rather than put the same plan forward again, Mayor Dave Bing should be given the opportunity to work with city council and regional leaders to reach a compromise that is fair and equitable. Senator Hunter believes that only after that has happened, should the Legislature get involved.
The bills include a provision to give financial assistance to another center in Novi which could accommodate the North American International Auto Show. Senator Hunter said that he was disappointed that Senate Republican leadership would try to persuade the North American International Auto Show officials to take sides on this critical piece of legislation as this is not conducive to true regional cooperation.
To read Senator Hunter’s statement on the Cobo legislation go to: http://www.senate.mi.gov/hunter/pr.php?id=1338.
SENATE APPROVES FORECLOSURE BILLS
The Senate this week approved House Bills that will help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Senator Hunter was a member of the conference committee that worked out the compromise.
Democrats strongly opposed previous changes made by Senate Republicans that removed the ability to force banks to negotiate with homeowners before foreclosing, and the compromise passed this week includes an important judicial enforcement provision to hold lenders accountable that Democrats demanded. Elements of the foreclosure protection package as passed include:
- Home loans that qualify for modification will qualify for judicial intervention if the lender chooses not to cooperate to modify payments.
- Lenders will be required to send a notice of foreclosure to all homeowners. Currently, the lender has no obligation to notify the borrower.
- Borrowers may request a meeting within 14 days of receiving a foreclosure notice, and once a request is made, the lender agrees to stop any foreclosure proceedings for 90 days.
To read the press release on this issue go to http://www.senate.michigan.gov/dem/pr.php?id=1333.
SENATOR HUNTER RENEWS CALL FOR SMOKEFREE WORKSITES WITH NO EXEMPTIONS
Senator Hunter said this week that he is glad that smokefree worksites legislation was passed by the State House Committee on Regulatory Reform, but is not pleased that it included exemptions for certain businesses. Senator Hunter has voted for legislation to make all worksites smokefree, and he is the sponsor of Senate Bill 469 which would allow voters to decide on a smokefree worksite bill with no exemption for any businesses.
Exemptions for casinos, cigar bars and certain other businesses doomed similar legislation in the Senate last year. The Senate approved a bill without exemptions but it died at the end of session in December 2008. The exemptions included this year make it highly likely that the legislation will again face gridlock between the two chambers. If the Legislature cannot agree, then the only hope of solving the problem of smoking in the workplace would be to take a statewide smokefree workplaces referendum to the voters in the 2010 general election.
To read Senator Hunter’s statement on the House’s smokefree workplace legislation go to: http://www.senate.mi.gov/demcaucus/pr.php?id=1341.
MEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE
It's time to raise awareness of men's health issues, with an emphasis on prevention and early detection! The Men’s Health Initiative includes free admission to health screenings, interactive workshops, and cooking demonstrations. The Men's Health Initiative is on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at ACC Youth Center located at 62 W. 7 Mile Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please contact Derek Ware at 313-343-2879.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE FOR CHILD SUPPORT INFORMATION
The Michigan Department of Human Services has announced a new website for parents that pay or receive child support payments in Michigan. The website, which can be found at http://apps.michigan.gov/MiCase/public/Home.aspx, allows parents to log in and receive updates about their payments. Parents can find information about amounts owed, payment summaries, child support case information, scheduled hearing dates, and Friend of the Court contact information.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING ALLOCATED
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will make available $1 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as part of the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. CDBG entitlement cities must submit their CDBG applications in the form of a substantial amendment to their program year 2008 action plan to their HUD field office by June 5, 2009. Over $9 million will also be made available to non-entitlement communities in Michigan. Visit http://www.hud.gov/ for more information.
FREE RX CARD
The Michigan Retailers Association is offering a new program that would help people save money on prescription drugs. The Free Rx Card is available and free to everyone - there is no age, income or other eligibility requirements. Cardholders will be able to receive discounts averaging 35 percent off the cost of a prescription, with savings of up to 75 percent off generic prescriptions.
More than 2,000 pharmacies in Michigan - including all major chains and many independents - are participating in the program.
Anyone can obtain a card by visiting the Michigan Retailers Association website http://www.retailers.com. Click on “Free Rx Card” and download a card. The website also can be used to locate a nearby participating pharmacy and to determine the discounted price.
MPSC ISSUES CONSUMER ALERT ON AVAILABLE CREDITS
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has issued a consumer alert on credits that electric customers may be eligible for after experiencing lengthy or frequent electric outages.
Under certain conditions, residential customers could receive a $25 credit. Commercial and other customers also have credits available to them based on their minimum bill. In all cases, customers should contact their electric utility to request the credit.
The MPSC’s service quality and reliability standards include rules providing for outage service credits. Under these rules, there are three types of outage conditions that may qualify for a credit: catastrophic condition outages, normal condition outages, and frequent outages.
Details on the rules are available in the consumer alert, available on the MPSC’s website at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/mpsc-ca_electricoutageservicecredits_276711_7.pdf.
FORECLOSURE HELP AVAILABLE FOR DETROIT AREA RESIDENTS
The Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation offers Free Foreclosure Prevention Assistance. Call 313-841-9641 to make an appointment with a specially trained foreclosure assistance counselor. Counseling is available at several locations in Detroit. Additional information and application packets are available at Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center located at 18917 Joy Rd., Detroit, MI 48288.
“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.
