E-Newsletter, July 10, 2009
GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS COBO BILLS
Governor Granholm recently signed into a law a package of legislation that should clear the way for Detroit's Cobo Center to remain the home of the North American International Auto Show. The measures will allow for a regional authority to lease the convention center in downtown in order to expand and improve the facility. Officials with the auto show had warned that if changes were not made to the center, they could move the show to Chicago, Los Angeles or another city. The auto show is responsible for as much as $500 million in economic activity annually.
The City of Detroit would have until August 1 to reject the state expansion plan. A similar plan was scuttled by the Detroit City Council in February, but unlike that proposal, the new one gives Mayor Dave Bing the power to veto a council rejection. If Detroit did reject the plan, the new legislation would allow Oakland County to use tax dollars to pay for an alternate convention site to house the international auto show.
ALL STATE BUDGETS HEADED TO CONFERENCE
All budget bills for the 2009-2010 fiscal year are headed to conference committee. Each chamber has passed every budget with their ruling party’s ideal framework and now the differences will be addressed in a conference committee. Over the next two weeks the Governor and Legislative leaders will set targets for each departmental budget before the conference committee process may commence. The current fiscal year ends September 30th, and an annual budget must be in place by then to avoid a government shutdown.
DHS 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.
PURE MICHIGAN RANKED ONE OF ALL-TIME BEST TOURISM CAMPAIGNS
The award-winning Pure Michigan tourism campaign has received another honor, this one from Forbes, naming it among the 10 all-time best travel campaigns. The Pure Michigan campaign was ranked sixth best and showcases Michigan’s vast beautiful natural resources with a simple and universal message: that sometimes we all need to get away from life’s stresses and relax a bit.
This award-winning campaign has produced a dramatic increase in the number of travelers seeking Michigan tourism information. For each dollar Michigan spent on out-of-state advertising from 2004 through 2008, new visits to Michigan stimulated by that advertising created more than $40 of spending at Michigan businesses and generated $2.86 in new state tax collections.
To view the Pure Michigan campaign visit http://www.michigan.org/ and click on “View Our Ads” at the top of the page.
STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO BE CLOSED FOR FURLOUGH DAYS
Most Michigan state government offices will be closed several days throughout the summer to accommodate the temporary, unpaid furlough of state employees. The closures will apply to all general offices and services in state government. State offices will be closed on the following days:
- Friday, July 24
- Friday, August 7
- Friday, August 21
- Friday, September 4
Some state services, including those vital to public health and safety, are not impacted. Services that will be maintained without interruption are Michigan State Police road patrols, correctional facilities, state psychiatric hospitals, veterans' homes and youth facilities, emergency human services programs, and the Unemployment Insurance Agency.
The unpaid furlough days will save the state $21.7 million before September 30, the end of the state's fiscal year. Approximately 37,400 state employees will be furloughed for the six days while another 15,500 are exempt to maintain public health and safety services.
I-75 TO REOPEN IN DETROIT
Area residents recently joined state and local officials at a press conference and community celebration to mark the early reopening of a 1.5-mile stretch of I-75 near the Detroit-Windsor international border crossing. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) originally scheduled the roadway to reopen in late Fall 2009, but crews finished work five months ahead of schedule, allowing for the July 2 reopening.
The section of I-75—which runs from Rosa Parks Boulevard to Clark Street in southwest Detroit—was rebuilt as part of the I-75 Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project. This $230 million reconstruction effort is designed to improve efficiency for commercial traffic exiting the Ambassador Bridge, remove truck traffic from local streets and provide for future traffic needs. Last week in time for the fireworks in downtown Detroit, the southbound M-10 ramp to eastbound I-94 and the northbound M-10 ramp to westbound I-94 were both reopened. These ramps were closed as part of MDOT’s strategy to maintain traffic while I-75 was under construction.
While I-75 is now completely open to traffic, motorists can still expect some intermittent closures within the project area during off-peak hours (9 p.m. - 5 a.m.) on weekends in July and early August, including local lane closures on Clark Street. These lane closures will be announced to the public in advance.
Work on the current phase of the Gateway Project will continue through the end of this year as work is completed on a number of key ramps and bridges. For up-to-date information on the Gateway Project, visit the project website at www.michigan.gov/gateway.
MPSC OFFERS “BEAT THE HEAT AND SAVE” TIPS
With the arrival of hot temperatures this summer, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) reminds utility customers that there are a variety of things they can do to lower electric bills.
To lower utility bills:
• Seal air leaks around doors and windows.
• Clean air conditioner filters and coils every month to make them more energy efficient.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Setting it 10 degrees warmer when not at home can save three to five percent on electric bills
• Use fans – they can make the use of an air conditioner unnecessary. Ceiling fans, for example, can make a room feel six to seven degrees cooler.
• Lower the temperature on the hot water heater to 120 degrees, a setting comfortable for most uses.
• Plant leafy trees that shield the house from direct sunlight, keeping temperatures down. In addition, planting drought-resistant perennials, shrubs and trees can save on water bills.
• Unplug certain appliances when not in use. Computers, cell phone chargers, MP3 players, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, stereos and microwave ovens all use energy when plugged into electric outlets.
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS
Although times are tough, adults 60 and over may qualify for a little extra assistance to help make ends meet. There is money available to help pay the cost of groceries and Medicare premiums, if people invest an hour to apply at a local MiCAFE site. MiCAFE stands for Michigan's Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly. MiCAFE is a collaborative partnership with community and faith-based organizations that makes applying for public benefits easy and convenient.
By putting a friendlier face on food stamps, MiCAFE works to connect eligible seniors with food assistance and other benefits like Medicare Savings. Seniors are able to apply at local community organizations and receive one-on-one assistance from a trained volunteer. The interview with the Department of Human Services that is usually required to receive Food Assistance has been waived for all MiCAFE clients. Enrollment events make signing up for a Bridge Card even easier!
One quick phone call to MiCAFE is all it takes. The friendly Call Center will give you an appointment time and go over the paper work you will need to bring with you. Several application assistants will be available for free help with your application for a Bridge Card. To get free help to apply for programs like Food Assistance, Medicare Savings, and Medicare Low Income Subsidy, call MiCAFE to set up your appointment at 1-877-664-2233.
“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.
