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Radio Address: Cherry Says Everyone in Michigan Needs to be Counted in 2010 Census
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Blog - Fri, 03/12/2010 - 6:39pm
Lt. Governor John Cherry reminds us in this week’s radio address about the importance of getting everyone in Michigan counted in this year’s census.
Hello, this is Lt. Governor John Cherry.
Census Day is April 1, and it’s time for everyone in Michigan to be counted. As chair of Michigan’s Complete Count Committee, I’m proud to be part of the effort to make sure everyone is counted in Michigan.
Next week, you should receive in the mail your 2010 census form. This is one of the shortest census forms in history - 10 questions that you can answer in 10 minutes.
It’s important that you fill out your census form and promptly mail it back. And here’s why.
First, census information is used to determine the number of seats that Michigan and every other state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives. If not everyone in Michigan is counted, it could mean the difference between keeping a congressional seat or losing one.
Census information also is used in drawing the district lines for seats in the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives. Undercounts can affect how those lines are drawn, and could cause certain areas of the state to be underrepresented in the state legislature.
But one of the most important uses of census information is for the distribution of federal funds. The census helps determine how more than $400 billion in federal funds each year is allocated to states and local communities for important services and infrastructure projects. This includes things like health care, schools, roads, job training centers, water and sewer systems, and much more.
For every person in Michigan who isn’t counted in the census, our state loses $10,000 in federal funds. To put this in perspective, for every 1,000 people in Michigan not counted, our state would lose $10 million in federal funds.
During these tough economic times in Michigan, we can’t afford to be shortchanged during the next 10 years when it comes to our fair share of federal funding. So it’s crucial that you, your family, your neighbors and everyone else be counted in the census.
Some people are leery of filling out the census form because they believe their private information will be made public. It won’t be. Private information is never published, and federal law protects the confidentiality of all of your information. There are severe penalties for anyone who violates this law.
When the 2010 census form arrives in your mail next week, please take 10 minutes to answer the 10 questions. Then mail it in promptly. When you fill out and return the census form, you’re helping your country, your state and your community.
So be counted, and thanks for listening.
Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senator Basham Supports Resolution to Direct Stimulus Dollars to Local Job Creation
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
SENATOR SCOTT SUPPORTS LOCAL JOBS
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
SENATOR SCOTT SUPPORTS PROPOSAL FOR STATE BANK
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Detroit Senators Join Colleagues and Approve Resolution to Create Local Jobs
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senator Jacobs Joins Colleagues and Approves Resolution to Create Local Jobs
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senate Passes Gleason Resolution to Create Local Jobs
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Granholm to Meet with Google in California, Pitch Michigan for Fiber Optic Network Trial
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Blog - Wed, 03/10/2010 - 7:58pm
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today will meet with officials at Google in California to thank them for their ongoing investment in Michigan and encourage the company to include the state in the testing of Google fiber, its new ultra-high speed fiber optic broadband network. Earlier today, Granholm met with venture capitalists and high-tech company representatives in Menlo Park in an effort to persuade them to bring investment and business to Michigan.
Google has asked communities around the nation to submit proposals by March 26 for consideration as a trial location for the Google fiber network. It is expected to deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. The fiber-to-the-home connections of more than 1 gigabit per second will be offered at a competitive price to a community of at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.
“Google fiber is a perfect fit here as no state can match the exploding new technology investment in Michigan in recent years,” Granholm said. “Google fiber would spark economic activity and job creation here as Michigan entrepreneurs and businesses stand to gain enormous advantages through this extraordinary innovation.”
Granholm is encouraging Michigan communities to submit applications for the trial network with several already in the works including, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Lansing/East Lansing. Those applications are being supported by citizens through social-media sites, including Facebook and Twitter.
In July 2006, Google announced it would open a sales and operations center for Google’s AdWords, an online advertising program, in the Ann Arbor area that employs approximately 250 people with hiring ongoing. At the time of the 2006 announcement, Larry Page, co-founder of Google and a Michigan native said, “We’re delighted to open a new office in the Ann Arbor area. We hope to establish as wonderful a home in Michigan for Google as I enjoyed while growing up.”
For more information on the Google fiber network, citizens can visit the Google fiber Web site: http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/ . Citizens and municipal officials can visit the site to express support for Google fiber in their communities.
The governor also is meeting today with California-based venture capitalists and high-tech company representatives at a luncheon roundtable to ask them to consider bringing their investments and companies to Michigan.
“Companies are choosing to invest and grow in Michigan because it’s a great state in which to do business,” Granholm said. “From solar products and advanced batteries to military equipment and software, we are creating a diversified economy where firms across a wide spectrum of industries are finding success and growing new jobs. Michigan is a welcoming environment for a high-tech company, with an abundant supply of technical and engineering talent and a world-class university research apparatus enabling entrepreneurs to develop and transfer technology to the marketplace.”
The venture capitalists attending today’s roundtable are Michigan natives or attended college in the state. University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman sent a personal invitation to a dozen of the university’s most accomplished and dedicated graduates in the venture capital and entrepreneurial community.
Categories: Michigan Headlines
Governor Granholm Visits Wind Energy Manufacturing Facility in Merrill
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Blog - Wed, 03/10/2010 - 7:43pm
Governor Granholm visited Merrill Tool and Machine yesterday. Merrill is a great example of a Michigan company that is diversifying into wind energy manufacturing and creating jobs through the Recovery Act.
Merrill Tool and Machine is using a grant and an advanced-energy manufacturing tax credit (also called a 48c tax credit) funded through the Recovery Act to diversify into manufacturing and assemble large-scale, advanced composite wind turbine blades and system components.
“The Merrill story is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when everyone pulls in the same direction,” Granholm said. “Recovery Act funding is assisting our ongoing efforts at the state level to diversify Michigan’s economy and create new jobs in clean-energy manufacturing. I want to thank the Michigan congressional delegation for making success stories like Merrill possible through their work on the 48c tax credit.”
In January, the White House announced Merrill had won a $22 million advanced-energy manufacturing tax credit (48c tax credit) funded through the Recovery Act. This allowed Merrill to purchase the advanced-manufacturing equipment necessary to produce utility-scale 2.2 MW wind turbine components for Northern Power.
Last year, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth awarded Merrill $3 million in Recovery Act funds to develop, manufacture and test prototypes of the larger turbine components, with full production expected to begin in July 2010.
This recent grant builds on previous state assistance. In 2005, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation supported a brownfield single business tax credit for Merrill, which allowed the company to build a $2.95 million manufacturing facility and create or retain 35 manufacturing jobs.
The Recovery Act has provided $2.3 billion in advanced-energy manufacturing tax credits to 183 clean-energy manufacturing projects in 43 states. The investment tax credits, worth up to 30 percent of each planned project, will leverage private capital for a total investment of nearly $7.7 billion in high-tech manufacturing in the United States.
Merrill is among 12 Michigan companies that were awarded approximately $242 million in 48c tax credits. The others are Dow Chemical in Midland, Dow Corning in Hemlock, Energetx Composites in Holland, Great Lakes Industry in Jackson, Guardian Industries in Carleton, Hemlock Semiconductor in Hemlock, ilumisys, Inc. in Troy, Rogers Foam Automotive in Flint, Stirling Energy Systems in Livonia, United Solar Ovonic in Auburn Hills, and VenTower Industries in Monroe.
Michigan companies received more than 10 percent of the total tax credits awarded nationally, with Hemlock Semiconductor receiving one of the largest overall tax credits of $141.8 million. The tax credits are estimated to trigger more than $750 million in private-sector investment in Michigan.
Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senator Anderson Hosts Job Strategies for Challenging Economic Times Town Hall Meeting
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Wed, 03/10/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senator Barcia Proposes Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senator Thomas Announces Bank Plan to Invest in Small Business, Create Jobs, and Protect Michigan Families
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Brater, Senate Democrats Propose Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Genesee Senate Democrats Unveil Bank Proposal to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Macomb Senate Democrats Propose Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Detroit Senators Propose Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senator Basham Proposes Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Senate Democrats Propose Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small Business and Protect Michigan Consumers
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Statement from Senator Gretchen Whitmer on Foreclosure Scams
News from the Michigan Senate Democrats - Mon, 03/08/2010 - 12:00am
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Categories: Michigan Headlines
Radio Address: Granholm Alerts Consumers About Debt Relief Scams
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Blog - Fri, 03/05/2010 - 11:54am
In this week’s radio address, Governor Granholm said that on the eve of National Consumer Protection Week (March 7-13), the state is seeking to protect consumers with debt problems from ending up in even more precarious financial situations.
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
You see and hear the commercials on TV and radio. Soothing voices say, “We know it’s tough out there.” “Get out of debt now.” “Debt relief is just a phone call away.” These are all pitches from debt-settlement companies claiming they can get you out of a financial hole. The number of these companies has been multiplying because of skyrocketing consumer debt.
But on the eve of National Consumer Protection Week, you need to know that there’s a big difference between unregulated companies claiming they can settle consumer debt, and state-licensed companies that offer debt counseling and management programs. Warning consumers about the bad guys and making sure there are safe alternatives to resolving consumer debt is part of our continuing efforts to protect consumers and their pocketbooks.
Unregulated debt-settlement companies usually charge exorbitant up-front fees. They hold the consumer’s monthly payments in an escrow account, and the company then attempts to negotiate payoffs with creditors.
Debt-settlement companies will advise consumers to stop paying their creditors. But by avoiding creditors, the consumers’ credit scores will drop dramatically while interest on their debt and late fees keep going up. A number of unregulated debt-settlement companies are simply scams. They disappear after consumers pay them thousands of dollars in up-front fees.
If you need help getting out of credit card debt, there are safe alternatives to unregulated debt-settlement companies. Consumers may find assistance at their banks or credit unions. And there are debt-management companies that must be licensed by the state Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation.
These companies are required to employ qualified debt counselors and offer detailed budgeting and debt and credit counseling assistance. And they employ more than 700 qualified counselors who understand Michigan law regarding debt.
There are a number of ways you can get a list of licensed debt-management firms in Michigan. You can find the information on the Web at www.michigan.gov/ofir. Or simply call toll-free 877-999-6442.
Next week we’ll be observing National Consumer Protection Week in Michigan. The Federal Trade Commission has organized a coalition of groups to provide consumer tips on a wide range of topics, including debt settlement. You can find the tips at www.consumer.gov/ncpw. Here in Michigan, the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation offers a host of tips for consumers as well.
If you have a problem with debt, educate yourself about the debt-relief options available to you. And beware of debt-relief scams. Consider contacting a firm that is regulated by the state instead. You’ll be glad you did.
Thank you for listening.
Categories: Michigan Headlines