Of all the things that plague residents of Michigan, auto insurance rates add insult to injury. The high rates that are forced on our motorists across the state strain already tight budgets and can lead to drivers illegally operating vehicles without insurance coverage.
According to a February 2006 Insurance.com report, drivers in Detroit were paying approximately $5,984 for a plan that would cost the same driver in Los Angeles, one of the largest and most densely congested areas in the country, $3,303 . This discrepancy is primarily due to unfair redlining practices used by the large insurers, who have leveraged their political clout in Lansing to stifle true public oversight. Proposed legislation to regulate insurer rate hikes, redlining, and reform the Kreiner liability coverage system in this state has been consistently relegated to rot in committee by Senators more concerned with special interest money than helping the motorists of our state.
It's up to us as Michigan drivers to let Lansing know that we want reform. State Sen. Hansen Clarke is backing a ballot drive to force insurance companies in Michigan to treat our drivers fairly and reduce our rates. By supporting this initiative, it sends a clear message to our elected officials and the insurance companies that we refuse to be taken advantage of by either group.
20 years ago this month, Communism was defeated by the people of Germany uniting and tearing down the Berlin Wall- a symbol of the oppression wroght on them for decades by a select few. Having the 12th highest car insurance rates in the country is a burden that we too must unite and throw off, and this ballot initiative is the means to do so.
State Sen. Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) officially endorsed a plan on Thursday to invest some of the money in the public employee retirement systems to purchase the Renaissance Center in Detroit, renting or mortgaging it back to General Motors.
General Motors originally floated the idea of leveraging the equity in the Ren Cen to gain an infusion of cash several months ago. The Detroit public employee retirement fund debated purchasing the building, but decided against it.
The state could stand to benefit from this. General Motors will, bailout or not, most likely be able to pay the state back with interest. If GM were to default, the building is in a prime location that could probably cause it to fetch a higher price on the market than the state would pay.
The plan needs to be hashed out a bit more. How much of the fund would be tied up in this building and for how long? What would the expected ROI be? As well, if the state owned the building, it would be liable for upkeep and more. Would it be possible to indemnify the state from these liabilities?
These questions would have to be worked out in the public forum. I sincerely urge out leadership to give this proposal serious consideration in order to help our auto industry and our state.
Last November Gov. Granholm and Michael R. DeVos, Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), launched the "Save the Dream" campaign to protect Michigan families and keep consumers in their homes. This public awareness campaign is intended to help citizens avoid foreclosure and stabilize our state's turbulent housing market.
As the Democratic Vice-Chairman of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, I recently helped usher the bills implementing the Save the Dream initiative through the committee process.
One of the main goals of the Save the Dream campaign is to establish an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Refinance Program that will help homeowners switch to a lower-interest, fixed-rate loan. These ARM's have been one of the major factors contributing to our state's foreclosure crisis, which is why I am proud to have sponsored Senate Bill 948 to make sure homeowners in this state can transition into a stable, long-term mortgage that they can actually afford.
Freep: House Democrats target employers who hire illegal immigrants. "House Democrats want to make it a felony for employers to knowingly hire illegal or undocumented immigrants in Michigan. A four-bill package would require employers to verify documents for new hires under federal rules, such as driver's licenses, passports or Social Security cards." You can read the release here.
Michelle McManus: Dems shut out state voters. The Chair of the Senate Campaign and Election Oversight Committee boldly takes responsibility for the failure of the presidential primary bill... by blaming Schauer and the Senate Dems.
Skubick: Term limits reform fades. Apparently Bob LaBrant at the Chamber has been taking lessons from Sen. McManus.
Ken Sikkema & Jeff Williams: Plug in new policy for future power. This op-ed is a bit technical (i.e., over my head), but it's encouraging to see the former Republican Senate Leader admit (1) that building more coal plants would harm the environment, and (2) we need to support renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.
Michigan Messenger: Granholm: Wind power can bring jobs. Speaking of renewable energy, the governor is really pushing this: "I am pledged to focus on this area as the biggest potential for growth," she told the crowd in Traverse City. "If we don't capitalize on this, shame on us."
AP: Midwest governors to sign energy pact to cut use, build resources. "The Midwest can be either a big winner or the big loser in the energy and climate debate," Granholm said in a statement. "To win, we need strong regional innovation and collaboration, backed by strong and perhaps unprecedented federal actions and investment, to advance accelerated deployment of lucrative energy and climate technologies."
Michigan's Economy
AA News Editorial: U-M alumni playing larger role in diversity. "There are alumni who really feel very passionately about wanting to contribute to scholarships that can help certain individuals, whether it's minority students or women to go into science and engineering, or men to go into nursing,'' Steve Grafton, the association president.
K-Zoo Gazette: After a year of combating homelessness, some progress. A nice update on the Kalamazoo County Affordable Housing Partnership's efforts to end homelessness in the area.
Mark Maynard: Bill Ford on the future of transportation and how no one is at the wheel. Mark has a great summary of Bill Ford's speech at UM on Tuesday night about sustainability.
Freep: UAW's new role: Shareholder. "What we are witnessing is the transformation from a confrontational way of working to one of collaboration, which is absolutely necessary," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.
Local/State/National Politics
Stabenow: Michigan votes to sustain CHIP veto disappoint. Sen. Stabenow attempts to dispel some of the myths surrounding S-CHIP.
BFM: It's presidential poll time in Michigan. Wizardkitten takes a look at the most recent EPIC/MRA poll. Hillary is crushing the other dems, while Rudy and Mitt duke it out on the republican side.
BFM: An Embarrassment of Riches in MI-02. Let's see, we have two people willing to take on Pete "Turtle Power" Hoekstra in the 2nd, not to mention great candidates in the 7th and 9th districts. So, anyone care to take on Mike Rogers in the 8th? Anyone... Bueller?
Odds & Ends
Great Lakes Blogger: Dioxin comes home to roost and other news. "Had the company come clean in the 70s and 80s, this problem would not be posing health risks to fisheaters and generating rotten PR for Dow today. But a consistent corporate strategy of delay and deny has simply postponed the day of reckoning."
CNN: 4 nooses found in Central Michigan University classroom. "Michigan state Sen. Hansen Clark said he met with the university president to discuss how to handle the incident. He plans to make a statement Friday on whether the university will ask federal authorities to investigate the case."
The Hub: Silver Bells in the City event lights up downtown, offers family activities and more. Here's your chance to bring the kiddies to Lansing to see the Capitol. The electric light parade kicks off at 6:10, followed by the tree lighting and fireworks (weather permitting).
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
(Once again, more great work from our Senate Democratic Caucus! - promoted by LiberalLucy)
During these tough economic times, Detroit residents are having a harder time keeping up with high utility bills. In fact, the cost of home utility bills is the number one issue among constituents in my district. To address these high costs and growing concerns, I am bringing residents together with utility companies and assistance programs to help people stay on top of their utility bills and avoid service shutoff.
WHO: Michigan State Senator Hansen Clarke
Representatives from DTE Energy Orjiakor Isiogu, Chairman, Michigan Public Service Commission Greg White, Legislative Liaison, Michigan Public Service Commission Mark Smith, Michigan Public Service Commission Representatives from The Heat And Warmth Fund (T.H.A.W.)
WHAT: State Senator Hansen Clarke is hosting a free public forum on utility bill relief. There will be presentations made by The Heat And Warmth Fund (T.H.A.W.) and DTE Energy. Residents are encouraged to bring their home utility bills.
BFM: Sen. Hansen Clarke: It's Not Too Late to STOP Hate. Check out Sen. Clarke's post about his legislation that would expand Michigan's Ethnic Intimidation Act to include intimidation or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Add this to the long list of important issues being ignored by Senate Republicans while they stall on the budget.
Bay City Times: nation need renewable energy standards. The Times gives a nice shout out to pending renewable energy legislation: "Bills introduced in June by Sen. Jim Barcia, D-Bay City, and Rep. Terry Brown, D-Pigeon, would require a 20 percent renewable standard by 2020. That's the one we want."
LSJ Op-Ed: Sen. Alan Cropsey: Releasing felons isn't answer. It's not a "reform" unless Senate Republicans say so.
BFM: Senate Republican SOD for 8/16 - Why does Mike Bishop hate jobs? Wizardkitten asks, "Will Andy sell us out to his buddy Mike? Will the House Democrats hide behind whatever underhanded, quick fix solution these two come up with? Will we have to do this dance all over again next year because they refuse to do their jobs and get this state on solid financial footing?"
FarLeftField: Thank You Michigan Bloggers! The Left Fielder sends a thank-you to Michigan's progressive bloggers for stepping up in the fight against Right to Work (for less) legislation.
Elections
MDP: Taylor Under Fire While Judges Gather for Conferences. Brewer has his sights set on Cliff Taylor: "Taylor’s misuse of his taxpayer-funded car, the highly publicized infighting on the Michigan Supreme Court, and his recent controversial decisions denying justice to victims of vicious sex crimes and hurting our environment mark a very troublesome 2007. Michigan must end the reign of our national embarrassment, Cliff Taylor."
Walberg Watch: Seagraves on the Walberg Recall. Speaking of recalls, Fitzy hints that the Congressman has filed a lawsuit to block it. I'm assuming we'll have details soon.
Walberg Watch: Tim Walberg and the Club for Growth. Fitzy paws through Rep. Walberg's financial records and shares some information about the Club for Growth. Look, this race will be competitive next year no matter who the Democratic candidate is, but if the Club for Growth doesn't dump a truckload of cash in Walberg's lap like they did last year, I think his goose is cooked.
Media Mouse: Report Highlighting Cost of Iraq War Delivered to Rep. Ehlers. Hop on over to No on Joe to see video of Knollenberg getting the check for his district's involvement in the Iraq war.
Peters for Congress: CWA, Operating Engineers, and more Endorse Peters. Jordan's got the scoop on the latest endorsements.
Odds & Ends
Media Mouse: New West Michigan Local Food Guide Available. "The guide, produced annually by the Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council includes a variety of resources designed to assist people in eating more locally grown food."
Red Tape: Michigan State Government Web Pages Rank 2nd Best According to Brown University Study. Oh, come on... we came in second behind Delaware?! Who lives in Delaware?
Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...
Last November Gov. Granholm and Michael R. DeVos, Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), launched the "Save the Dream" campaign to protect Michigan families and keep consumers in their homes. This public awareness campaign is intended to help citizens avoid foreclosure and stabilize our state's turbulent housing market.
