United Way for Southeastern Michigan

What a remarkable week! Here a a ton of updates for you:

 

MLK Day of Service 

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was a tremendous success, and I want to commend everyone who participated!  In these times of crisis it is more important than ever that we bind together to help those in need.  It is so inspiring to see so many people come together for one common purpose.  I am optimistic that everyone who participated will continue to serve his or her communities throughout the year.  In the words of Dr. King:

 “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

-I've Been to the Mountaintop (1968) 

How are you planning on serving your community?   

The Inauguration 

Tuesday, January 20 was, of course Inauguration Day.  I was a historic day, and exciting for everyone here at UWSEM.  Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  Visit the White House website (http://www.whitehouse.gov/) to watch the inauguration speech.

“America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.” 

-President Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

When you visit the whitehouse.gov site, make sure you check out the President’s agenda.  What do you think?  How can we work with the new administration to accomplish our goals? 

Oh, and this is pretty cool – a site that has collected images of newspaper coverage of the Inauguration: http://c6.going.com/obama/inauguration_headlines.html  (courtesy of my friend Alan!). 

Advocate 

There are two bills that we are asking you to advocate for.  More information is on the liveunitedsem.org website.  Advocate now, and tell a friend!

Calling for 2-1-1 Act  

To operate over the long-term and serve meet the increased community need, it’s critical that 2-1-1 call centers across the nation receive federal support. The Calling for 2-1-1 Act will provide federal funding and create the opportunity for 2-1-1 to be accessible nationwide.  The Calling for 2-1-1 Act still needs co-sponsors in the House. Advocate for the Calling for 2-1-1 Act by visiting liveunitedsem.org!

SCHIP 

The State Child's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a federal program that provides states with financial support and flexibility to expand health coverage to uninsured children.  Reauthorizing SCHIP will allow that number to increase. The reauthorization has already passed the U.S. House and has now moved on to the Senate for a final vote. Ask your senator to support the House version of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 by visiting liveunitedsem.org.  

Michigan!

Yesterday’s session in the Michigan House of Representatives was very busy.  Here are some bills that were introduced yesterday that we will be tracking: 

Financial Stability

• Several Legislators in Michigan’s House of Representatives re-introduced the Michigan Home Loan Protection Act, a package of bills that seek to address predatory mortgage lending practices and offer better consumer protections.  The Michigan Home Loan Protection Act will do following: 
  • ban predatory lending practices
  • protect consumers from being steered toward high-cost loans when they would otherwise qualify for a traditional loan
  • require vulnerable borrowers to receive independent counseling from a certified third-party, non-profit counselor
  • give injured and aggrieved homeowners legal recourse so they can independently enforce these consumer protections against unscrupulous lenders

Similar legislation was introduced in 2007. The Michigan Home Loan Protection Act of 2007 was approved with bipartisian support in the House, but did not have a hearing in the Senate Committee on Bankinga nd Financial Institutions.  The current package of bills have been sent to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services. 

• Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) introduced legislation (HB 4033 & HB 4034) that would allow for a 1- year moratorium on residential mortgage and land contract foreclosures.  It was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services. 
• Bettie Scott (D-Detroit) introduced several foreclosure related bills yesterday.  HB 4046 will establish a mediation program and moratorium for residential mortgage foreclosures; HB 4050 will exclude water and utility bills in delinquent tax calculations; and HB 4052 creates the Michigan Homeownership Preservation Fund.  The Michigan Homeownership Preservation Fund will use the fines collected from those who commit predatory lending practices to do the following: 
  • Award grants to finance financial literacy programs, homeownership training, and homeownership protection training
  • Provide down payment assistance to individuals seeking home loans
  • Provide loans and grants to low income individuals seeking to avoid foreclosure.

Education 

• House Representative Doug Geiss (D-Taylor) introduced a bill (HB 4030) that would raise the dropout age to 18.  The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education.   
• The House of Representatives passed HB 4047, sponsored by Representative Bettie Smith (D-Detroit), which will lower the number of students needed for a school to be designated as a first class school.  The passage of this bill would allow the City of Detroit to keep its status as a first class school district by lowering the required number of students form 100,000 to 60,000.   

Basic Needs 

• House Representative Lesia Liss (D-Warren) introduced a bill (HB 4014) that would require insurance plans that cover durable medical equipment to also cover the installation of wheelchair ramps at the insured’s residence.  The bill was referred to the House Committee on Insurance. 

 As you may know, the Ray West Memorial Ramp Project provides free wheelchair ramps to low-income residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties living with physical disabilities.  This includes low-income residents with and without health insurance coverage.  Over the past three years, more than 115 people have gained or reclaimed their independence thanks to a wheelchair ramp provided by United Way.  If you would like more information about the Ray West Memorial Ramp Project, please call 2-1-1 or visit the website here: http://www.uwsem.org/ramp/index.html 

Labor 

• Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) introduced legislation (HB 4081) that would amend the authority of the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.  The bill states that the commission will no longer be able to enforce an all-union shop agreement covering employees in that zone if a city, county, township, village, public school district, or intermediate school district that has authorized a right-to-work zone.   The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Labor.   
• Several House Legislators introduced the Hire Michigan First plan, which will ensure that Michigan workers get the first chance at jobs created by companies that benefit from state economic development programs or tax breaks. The bill will also authorize the state to cancel contracts and tax incentives received by companies that hire illegal workers.  It will also require those compaines to pay back any incentives already received and prohibits them from reveiving any state contracts in the future.