Legislation of Interest
SB 174 would add Toxic Substances in Children's Products to the Public Health Code to prohibit a person from using or applying a toxic substance in or on any toy or child care article in the state. It would also prohibit a person from selling, offering for sale, or transferring a toy or child care article containing a toxic substance in Michigan. "Toxic substance" would mean a coating on an item or a substance that contains more than 0.06% lead. The bill passed unanimously, and now goes to the House for approval.
SB 826-833 is a bipartisan legislative package that would register and regulate mortgage loan officers and protect consumers from unfair lending practices. The package includes legislation that will require registration of loan officers with appropriate standards; require the creation of a professional advisory board to make recommendations on rules and enforcement; and create a registration and renewal process for loan officers. The legislation will also specify prohibited loan officer conduct and set appropriate penalties for violations of the Act. Each of these bills passed unanimously last month.
House Bill 4557 would extend indefinitely the existing military family relief check-off. The fund provides assistance grants to families of members in the National Guard or Reserves based in the state, or of a resident of the state serving in a unit based in another state, who are called into active duty. The grants, capped at $2,000 in a calendar year (except in extreme cases), are made to families with a documented need for financial assistance for food, clothing, housing, utilities, medical services or prescriptions, insurance payments, vehicle payments, or other related necessities of daily living. This bill passed by unanimous consent, and now heads to the Senate for approval.
Retailer Return Policy
This week I will be introducing legislation to require retailers in Michigan to disclose to customers their return policy on purchases. State law currently does not require this and consumers are sometimes surprised to learn upon returning to the store that refunds will not be given. Stores would still be allowed to have their own distinct policy, but would be required to provide notice to the consumer before a purchase is made. Retailers would be required to post the policy in a conspicuous location as well as print it on the receipt.
Interview With State Fire Marshal Andy Neumann
Last month I spoke with Michigan’s Fire Marshal Andy Neumann about the importance of fire safety during the holiday season (see related article below). In case you missed my interview with Mr. Neumann, my cable show “Capitol Update” can be viewed online at: http://www.senate.mi.gov/anderson/play.php?id=231
What You Can Do to Prevent Christmas Tree Fires
Each year, many families tragically lose their homes because of Christmas tree fires. Here's what you can do to keep your home safe during the Holiday season:
- Pick the freshest tree you can find. If needles droop profusely when the tree is tapped against the ground, you should look for a different tree.
- Keep the tree outdoors with the trunk in water for as long as possible. Once a tree enters a heated home, they will dry out more quickly.
- Make sure to check the water level daily, and refill as needed.
- Place the tree away from heating registers, fireplaces, wood stoves and electrical wires.
- When lighting the tree, do not overload extension cords and avoid damaged sockets.
To learn more about Holiday events happening across the state this month—including workshops, lectures, tours, hands-on kid’s activities, contests, live entertainment, and regional food specialties—check out the calendar at Michigan.org: http://www.michigan.org/travel/events/?m=3;2
Economic Development Job Training Grants for Livonia Business
Last month the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced funding for employee training at Roush Performance in Livonia through the Michigan Manufacturing Technology and Economic Development Job Training (EDJT) program.
The MEDC awarded a $500,000 grant to train 478 existing employees and four new hires at 17 companies in Baraga, Berrien, Hillsdale, Ingham, Kent, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Ottawa, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. An additional $104,000 was awarded to Wayne Community College to train 181 standing employees and eight new hires at six other companies in Wayne County. There are currently 39 employees at Roush Performance whose training will benefit from these funds.
The Economic Development Job Training (EDJT) program seeks to ensure that Michigan has the training resources to retain and attract business and people to move into the 21st century with a highly skilled workforce. With this training, Roush will be able to expand their capabilities and increase their contribution to our economy. I appreciate the MEDC’s continued commitment not just to bringing new businesses into the state, but to bolstering the businesses that are currently the cornerstones of our communities.
Support Your Local Food Bank
The Holiday season is right around the corner, which means now is a wonderful time to help those in our community who may be struggling to put food on the table.
The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) gathers food and funds to help stock Michigan's member food banks which serve people in all 83 counties of the state. FBCM and its food bank members help ensure there is a unified system in place to serve the pantries, kitchens and shelters who are the front line in feeding and nourishing individuals on a daily basis.
To learn how you can support your local food bank this holiday season, visit: http://www.fbcmich.org.
Five Tips to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft This Holiday Season
In 2005, more than 250,000 Americans were victims of identity theft, with 7,139 of them in Michigan. Identity thieves can use as little as a person’s name, social security number and date of birth to obtain credit cards, loans and purchase cars. Correcting the damage resulting from identity theft has cost the state and citizens a significant amount of time and money.
Here are five easy steps consumers can use to prevent identity theft during the Holiday shopping season:
- Monitor the balances of your financial accounts. Look for unexplained charges or withdrawals.
- Track what mail you receive or don’t receive. Failing to receive bills or other mail may signal an address change by an identity thief, as does receiving credit cards for which you did not apply.
- Order credit reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus. The new federal law allows consumers to get one free credit report a year and to purchase their credit scores fro a reasonable price.
- Guard the use of your Social Security number. When asked for it, ask why you need to provide it and how it will be used. Don’t give it out if you don’t have to.
- Invest in a cross-cut or diamond-cut paper shredder. Destroy credit card applications, expired credit cards, checks, receipts, and insurance documents you don’t need to keep. Shred any document that lists any identifying information about you.
Michigan Must Protect its Citizens by Repealing Drug Immunity Laws
On November 9, 2007, Merck announced that it would be offering a $4.85 billion settlement in a lawsuit involving 47,000 victims of the painkiller Vioxx. Victims of the drug suffered heart attacks or strokes between its 1999 FDA approval and September 2004, when it was pulled from the market. Unfortunately, because of our 1996 drug immunity law, Michigan’s citizens and
their families will be prevented from receiving the justice they deserve under this settlement.
Eleven years after the drug immunity law was signed by Governor John Engler, Michigan residents are still the only citizens in the United States to have forfeited their right to be compensated if they are injured by a dangerous prescription drug. At the same time, our prescription drug prices are just as high here as they are in any other state.
The longer Michigan delays passing these needed reforms, the longer Michigan consumers will have fewer rights and protections than citizens anywhere else in the country. That’s unacceptable. We need to hold drug companies accountable for the quality of their products and reform our laws to protect the safety and well-being of Michigan citizens.
Happy Holidays!
Please accept my best wishes for a safe and joyous Holiday Season.
