United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Here are some new bills introduced to the Senate last week...

Financial Stability

• Senator Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) introduced bill SB 32 that would require a 90 day notice to tenants being evicted.  He also introduced bill SB 33 which would allow leases to continue after the property is foreclosed on. 
• Senator John Pappageorge (R-Troy) introduced bill SB 75 called Back-To School Tax Holiday.  The bill would provide an annual back-to-school sales tax for clothing and supplies.
• Senator Dennis Olshove (D-Warren) introduced bill SB 30 that would allow homeowners to stay of foreclosure for unpaid property taxes if stay or mortgage foreclosure is ordered.
• Senator John Gleason (D-Flushing) introduced bill SB 31 that would provide foreclosure assistance and allow Michigan State Housing Development Authority to offer the mortgage foreclosure extension guarantee program.  This would allow authority to loan the borrower an amount sufficient to bring the delinquent payments current.
• Senator Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) introduced bill SB 120 which would revise discount rate of utilities for senior citizens.  The bill would prevent senior citizens to pay a higher rate for service that exceeds a designated amount of electric service.
• Senator Dennis Olshove (D-Warren) introduced bill SB 139  that would create an income tax credit for those caring for parents in the home.
• Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) introduced bill 156 which would require insurers to deal fairly and in good faith with individuals claiming benefits.

Education

• Senator Michael Switalski (D-Roseville) introduced bill SB 56 which would replace school MEAP tests with nationally recognized commercially available assessment instruments.
• Senate Minority Causcus Chair Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) introduced bill SB 62 that would allow intermediate school districts to request millage to establish an early childhood education program.  This program would be taught alongside vocational programs.
• Senator Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) introduced bill SB 117 which would require a reduction of class sizes in grades K-3 over a five-year period.  She also introduced bill SB 120 which would mandate enrollment of five-year-olds in full-day kindergarten.
• Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) introduced bill SB 159 which would require schools to adopt policies prohibiting harassment and bullying at school.

Basic Needs

• Senator Michael Switalski (D-Roseville) introduced bill SJR B which would allow 16-year olds to vote in school district elections.

Find more information pertaining to Michigan legislature at  www.legislature.mi.gov