E-Newsletter, June 27, 2008
ENERGY UPDATE
Senate Democrats today helped pass House Bill 5524 which reforms Public Act 141 to provide for Michigan’s future generation by promoting security and reliability in our electrical system.
I joined my colleagues to fight to provide a cost-cap on rate increases during realignment while Republicans wanted to offer bonds to pay for the realignment of rates. A compromise was struck that moved this decision to the Public Service Commission, based on the standard of what is best for residential ratepayers.
Senate Republicans passed Senate Bill 213 with a very weak renewable portfolio standard and energy efficiency program. My hope is to fix this bill as it heads to the House of Representatives and give it the strength to move Michigan forward, creating a strong and vibrant renewable energy infrastructure and create new jobs.
Republicans passed Senate Bill 1048 without any Democrat support, which provides for a $210 million Fiscal Year 2009 tax credit for the purchase of Energy Star appliances, including an ill-advised refundability clause that would result in the state paying people to buy certain appliances. Democrats felt that this giveaway would hurt the state’s ability to provide needed services that help Michigan citizens.
The process is now moving forward and the basis for compromise has been established. My hope is that the final product best reflects Michigan’s energy future.
HUNTER PASSES LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT OBSCENE BILLBOARDS
This week, my amendment to Senate Bill 1370, legislation to prohibit certain types of outdoor signs, was passed with bipartisan support. The amendment focuses specifically on prohibiting all advertisements for sexually oriented business with exceptions to one identification sign outside and one sign to give notice that the premises are off limits to minors.
For several months, I have been concerned with billboards along 8 Mile Road promoting topless bars and other sexually oriented business. I have been working with Mrs. Mary Little, the President of Evergreen-Lahser/ 7 and 8 Mile Road Community Council, regarding the communities concerns with this type of advertisement. Considering many of these establishments are located on main streets, their explicit advertisements are in plain sight for everyone to see, including families and children. These are not images that should be viewed by children and by passing this legislation, we can be sure that every neighborhood in Michigan is free of any inappropriate advertising.
HUNTER HELPS PASS LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO GUARDIANS & CAREGIVERS
I recently voted to help pass Senate Bill 170, a bill to provide subsidies by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to court-appointed guardians or relatives of abused and neglected children. The legislation will create the "Subsidized Guardianship Assistance Act" to provide financial support to families willing to assume temporary or permanent guardianship of the child without financial loss. This will help ensure all Michigan children have a financially secure and loving home.
U.S. SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO HELP ASSIST STRUGGLING HOMEOWNERS
Recently, U.S. Senate lawmakers took action to help end America’s housing crisis and improve the overall economy. The legislation will provide tax help for homeowners, implement a program to refinance up to $300 billion in mortgages for struggling borrowers into affordable loans, and alter the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to better serve homeowners.
This is a step in the right direction toward reducing these record foreclosure numbers and preventing home values from declining further. I recently helped pass legislation signed into law to institute the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) Save the Dream campaign to combat the foreclosure crisis in Michigan and help homeowners transition into a stable, long-term mortgage that they can afford. Protecting the American dream of home ownership is critical to the future of our state and we must continue to fight to keep families in their homes.
To read more about this legislation, click here.
HUNTER GETS TESTED FOR HIV, ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO DO SO
This past week, I joined my colleagues Senator Hansen Clarke, Senator Martha G. Scott and Senator Gilda Jacobs to undergo HIV testing at the Capitol in honor of National HIV Testing Day, which is Friday, June 27. In Michigan, we have unlimited access to HIV testing and it’s important people take part in this painless, anonymous test to know their status.
Recently, the Michigan Department of Community Health announced that for the third year in a row, the HIV rate among teens and young adults in Michigan has gone up. In fact, the rate of new diagnoses in 13 to 24-year-olds almost doubled between 2002 and 2006. Testing not only prevents an infected person from unknowingly spreading the disease, but it also means that infected persons can start getting treatment immediately. To find the nearest testing location near you, call the statewide AIDS information hotline at 1-800-872-AIDS. You can also learn more about HIV and AIDS at the Michigan Department of Community Health’s website at www.michigan.gov/hivstd.
HUNTER VOTES TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT MICHIGAN WATER
I recently joined with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the State Senate to pass a new agreement implementing the Great Lakes Compact and protecting our freshwater. The legislation bans major water diversions and increases oversight of large quantity users, providing clear guidelines on how the state’s water resources will be used.
This legislation is the most comprehensive water protection agreement in the Great Lakes region and is a great compromise that environmental, agricultural and business interests could all agree on. The Great Lakes are extremely valuable to Michigan’s economy and people. By passing this legislation we are taking a huge step toward protecting our Great Lakes resources for generations to come.
NEW CHILD SAFETY LAW TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2008
I recently co-sponsored legislation signed into law that requires children between the ages of four and eight years old and under 4’9” tall be seated in a booster seat while riding in a motor vehicle. These inexpensive child seats, when fitted properly, can save a child’s life.
According to Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS), the risk of injury for a four to eight year-old child is reduced by 59 percent when using a car seat or booster seat. Children in seat belts alone are four times more likely to suffer head/brain injuries as compared to those in booster seats. Through this law, we hope to prevent thousands of deaths and injuries inflicted on children each year from car accidents.
KEEP KIDS LEARNING THIS SUMMER WITH FUN LIBRARY PROGRAMS
School’s out for summer and the Library of Michigan is offering children a variety of fun and engaging summer activities to keep them learning throughout the summer. According to Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Summer Learning research, all young people experience learning losses when they don’t engage in educational activities. It’s important to keep children’s minds active and I encourage all families to take advantage of these programs and get their children involved in these learning opportunities throughout the summer.
The Library of Michigan participates in the national Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), who has a theme of "Catch the Reading Bug" for children and "Metamorphosis @ Your Library" for teens. Funding for these programs is provided by The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). To learn more about the Library of Michigan and their programs, visit their web site.
Please make sure to contact your local library to see what other exciting programs are being offered in the area for children during the summer months!
NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND RECEIVES $65 MILLION IN FUNDING
Recently, the legislature voted to provide $65 million to No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program, $15 million of which comes from the state's General Fund. Next year’s budget will mark the first year that General Fund money will be used to help fund the program.
Under House Bill 5809, $10 million will go toward retraining, $2.5 million will go toward supporting community colleges, and another $2.5 million will support adult education. With more than 12,000 people on waiting lists for the program, these funds will help train workers and give them the skills needed to fill open job positions throughout Michigan and compete in the 21st century economy.
MENTAL HEALTH COURTS APPROVED FOR NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET
The joint House-Senate conference committee recently reported that mental health courts will receive $550,000 in funds and will move forward as a pilot project in next year’s Judiciary Budget. Although I had hoped more money would be available to support this program, I’m confident this pilot project will be successful and provide the appropriate care to those with mental illness.
The vast majority of people with mental illness who are arrested are charged with minor, nonviolent offenses. However, many of these individuals do not have access to appropriate care, which in turn my increase the amount of contact they have with law enforcement. Through mental health courts, people suffering from mental illness will receive the appropriate attention to better address their needs.
