October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

by | Oct 3, 2022 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Proclaims October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Governor reminds Michiganders of resources, especially amid ongoing attempts to pass bans on abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest 

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the State of Michigan. Michiganders are encouraged to learn more about the signs of domestic violence, the impact perpetrators have on their current or former intimate partners, and how to empower and support survivors. This year’s proclamation comes at a time when extremists are trying to put Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, which includes no exceptions for rape or incest, back into effect. If the effort were to succeed, survivors of domestic violence would not be able to access abortion care following a sexual assault.

 

“Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts every community, and as the theme of this year’s campaign notes, ‘everyone knows someone,’” said Governor Whitmer. “We need to work together to spread awareness, highlight resources, and hold perpetrators accountable. I want every survivor to know that they are not alone and that there are resources available to help them. This year, we mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month as some politicians try to ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest. I will continue to fight against those attempts, so all women – especially survivors of domestic violence – can access care if they choose to.

 

“At its core, domestic violence is about control,” Whitmer continued. “And as we see attempts nationwide to strip away people’s rights to control their own bodies and shape their own futures, we will continue taking action in Michigan to protect everyone’s right to determine their own future. If you or someone you love needs help, please see the resources below. Let’s keep looking out for one another.”

 

Resources

If you are in danger, please contact an organization in your area (listed below) that can help, use a safer computer, call 911, or the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224, or the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

 

To find a local domestic violence or sexual assault program provider near you, visit the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence provider directory. LGBTQ+ youth in crisis can reach out to The Trevor Project 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 or text/chat at www.thetrevorproject.org/help.

 

More resources available here.

 

Domestic Violence in Michigan

Survivors of domestic violence are present in every Michigan community. As the theme of this year’s awareness campaign notes, “Everyone Knows Someone.”

 

Domestic violence can take several forms—physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, economic coercion—and the ultimate purpose is control by violating dignity, security, and well-being. The 2020 Michigan State Police’s Incident Crime Report indicated there were 64,778 domestic violence offenses committed by current or former intimate partners reported to Michigan law enforcement that year.

 

Domestic violence disproportionately impacts members of the LGBTQ+ community. More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women and men have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime, and more than one in three experienced violence in the past year. Also, 45.1% of Black women and 40.1% of Black men experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking in their lifetimes.

 

Michigan is committed to holding domestic violence perpetrators accountable, employing interventions to reduce the risk and harm to all victims, and providing survivors the resources and support they need.

 

Click here to view proclamation.
New Federal Energy Standards for American Families

New Federal Energy Standards for American Families

by | Oct 3, 2022 | Regional News

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 3, 2022

Media Contact:
AG Press

AG Nessel Helps Secure New Federal Energy Standards for American Families

New Standards Will Save Billions of Dollars for Families Nationwide and Help Protect the Planet 
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) committing DOE to a new timetable for updating energy efficiency standards for 20 categories of common consumer products and commercial equipment.

The impacted products and equipment range from residential furnaces to laundry machines to electric motors. According to experts’ estimates, updated standards for these products could provide more than $600 billion in total utility bill savings to American families by 2050 and avoid more than 90 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2040.

AG Nessel joins a coalition of 17 states, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York in the agreement, which resolves a complaint the coalition filed against DOE in 2020. The complaint alleged DOE failed to comply with deadlines for updating energy efficiency standards for a range of product categories set by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA).

“Reducing the amount of pollution that is impacting Michigan’s air quality and contributing to climate change is a goal I take seriously,” Nessel said. “So is protecting residents from high energy bills. Both of these objectives can be achieved by committing to new energy efficiency standards that will safeguard our environment as well as allow us to respond to climate change in a robust way. This agreement is long overdue, and I am happy to join my colleagues in welcoming new energy efficiency standards for products with the potential to harm our environment and affect our health.”

DOE’s energy efficiency standards currently cover more than 60 product categories. Nationwide, these products together use about 90 percent of the total amount of energy used in homes, 60 percent of the total amount of energy used in commercial buildings, and 30 percent of the total amount of energy used in industrial facilities.

The EPCA requires DOE to periodically review and revise these efficiency standards to ensure they are set at the maximum, technically feasible and cost-effective efficiency level in order to save energy and reduce consumer and business utility costs. In 2020, the coalition filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York claiming DOE had missed EPCA deadlines for review and revision of efficiency standards for multiple product categories. In the filing, the coalition alleged that in failing to meet deadlines, DOE deprived American families of the benefits of lower energy bills, a more reliable electricity grid, and a reduction of emissions of dangerous air pollutants that contribute to climate change and harm public health.

“This settlement is a triumph for consumers and the environment. It will jumpstart DOE review of efficiency standards poised to save $650 billion in utility bills and avoid the release of, at least, nearly a billion metric tons of climate-warming carbon pollution by 2050,” said Joe Vukovich, energy efficiency advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“The technology exists to make consumer products and commercial equipment incredibly energy efficient, and it is the responsibility of the DOE to hold manufacturers accountable to meeting the highest possible standards. This settlement will help us meet climate goals but also help American families save money on their energy bills and create sustainable manufacturing jobs for the future. The strongest possible energy efficiency standards will also ensure Americans keep their lights on and their heat or air conditioning on when the weather turns extreme by not overtaxing our electrical system. After all, heat waves and strong storms are only getting more common in the face of climate change – a crisis we must do everything we can to address with all the tools we have at our disposal,” said Jessica Tritsch, building electrification campaign director at the Sierra Club.  

“This agreement is essential for catching up on missed deadlines as quickly as possible in order for the incredible consumer, economic, public health and environmental benefits of updated standards to be realized,” said Richard Eckman, energy advocate at the Consumer Federation of America. “Now more than ever, consumers can use the additional pocketbook savings that updated efficiency standards will provide in the billions annually thanks to the increased energy efficiency of common household appliances. The agreement is also crucial in order to prevent millions of metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change from being emitted. We’re looking forward to working with DOE in moving forward with updates to appliance efficiency standards.”

“This agreement will conserve energy and save consumers money when they use everyday appliances,” said Howard Crystal, legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Energy Justice Program. “Energy efficiency is critical to addressing the climate emergency and ensuring a livable planet, even if it doesn’t get as much attention as other efforts. We’re pleased the department will finally move forward with these commonsense standards.”

“We applaud this settlement, which will save huge amounts of energy and keep money in the pockets of consumers across America, including the 85,000 low-income public housing tenants Mass Union represents,” said Jack Cooper, executive director at the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants.

Joining AG Nessel in the agreement are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia, as well as the City of New York.

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Job posting: Part-time Administrator for the OCCCC

Job posting: Part-time Administrator for the OCCCC

by | Sep 29, 2022 | Local News

Orion Community Cable Communications Commission
Village of Lake Orion – Charter Township of Orion

1349 Joslyn Road
Lake Orion, Michigan 48360
(248) 393-0147

The Orion Community Cable Communications Commission (OCCCC) is accepting
applications for the part-time position of Administrator for the OCCCC.

Duties include receipt and processing of OCCCC mail, banking documents, receipt
and deposit of franchise fee income, document management, filing and other
general office management duties as designated by OCCCC officers. More specific
details will be provided to interested applicants prior to interview. Starting date is
hopefully November 1st, beginning with a 2 month transition period working with
our current Administrator.

The Administrator must be able to work independently, with little direction, at
hours of their own choosing. They will work on occasion with the director of
ONTV to achieve the goals of both ONTV and the Commission. A private
office, equipment and all supplies are provided.

Compensation is based on the hours worked/reported which will vary during the
course of the year, but generally range from 60 to 100 hours/month. Hourly
compensation and benefits will be negotiated during the hiring process but are
expected to be about $30/hour.

Submit resumé to [email protected] or
Mail to OCCCC, 1349 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360
Resumés can also be dropped off at the above address.

New Lansing plant is back on track

New Lansing plant is back on track

by | Sep 28, 2022 | Regional News

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Hi there,

I have some huge news for mid-Michigan: GM’s new Ultium Cells battery plant has received a key approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that’s going to expedite the groundbreaking for the facility.

This new plant is going to create more than 1,700 jobs in the Lansing area, and the sooner the assembly lines start rolling, the better. That’s why I led a bipartisan group of my colleagues earlier this year to send a letter to the EPA pushing them to cut through government red tape and provide approvals to get this project moving.

The $2.6 billion Ultium Cells facility is going to be an enormous boost to Lansing’s economy, and it will support GM’s manufacturing at other plants throughout Michigan. That means the battery cells built here in Lansing will support the electric vehicles (EVs) being built by Michigan auto-workers all across our state.

With the U.S. competing with China over EVs, this plant is a big win for Michigan, American manufacturing, and for our economic and national security. I’m thrilled the EPA took our letter to heart and gave this project the green light, and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have for Michiganders in the Lansing area and throughout the state.

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Click here to read The Detroit News report on the EPA’s decision and the impact this new plant is going to have for Lansing.

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin
Funding by 50% to Put More Officers on the Road

Funding by 50% to Put More Officers on the Road

by | Sep 27, 2022 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 27, 2022

Contact: [email protected]   

 

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills Increasing Road Patrol Funding by 50% to Put More Officers on the Road, Keep Communities Safe

Building on public safety investments in budget, package of bills will increase funding to local departments, help them hire officers, investigate accidents, provide emergency assistance 

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed three bipartisan bills increasing funding for the Secondary Road Patrol (SRP) program. These bills will keep drivers safe in their communities by putting more officers on the road, improving recruitment and retention efforts, and bolstering training. The bills build on the MI Safe Communities program the governor launched last summer to invest in local police, get illegal guns off the street, and expand opportunities in jobs, education, and the justice system.

 

“As a former prosecutor, public safety is a top priority for me,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s bipartisan bills will improve road safety by putting more officers out on patrol. The 50% increase in funding for the SRP program will also improve law enforcement recruitment and retention by bolstering the funding stream and enabling sheriff departments to give their officers more stability. I will work with anyone to protect public safety, and I am proud of the bipartisan budget I signed earlier this year that ensures law enforcement at every level, from the MSP to local departments, have the resources they need to keep people safe. No one should feel unsafe as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, or run errands in their neighborhoods. Let’s work together to protect public safety and keep drivers safe on the road.”

 

“I am thankful that both Governor Whitmer and the Legislature came together with a commonsense solution to the Sheriffs’ secondary road patrol concerns,” said Matt Saxton, Executive Director of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association. “These bills provide for stability in funding that will put additional deputies on our road to provide improved public safety response throughout the state of Michigan.”

 

Bipartisan Bills to Increase Road Safety

Today, Governor Whitmer signed House Bills (HB) 5569, 5732, and 5772. Taken together, these bills will increase the SRP fund by $5 million each year, up from $10 million to $15 million. This increased, dedicated funding is now coming from the liquor fund so the SRP fund doesn’t have to rely on fees and general fund dollars each year which can be unpredictable. The additional funding will be used to add officers to the road, and the consistent funding source will allow sheriff departments to plan better and give officers more employment stability, improving their recruitment and retention efforts. The fees that previously funded the SRP will now be redirected to MCOLES for law enforcement training grants.

 

  • HB 5569 adjusts the MOE for counties to be eligible for SRP dollars. In years past, the legislature would have to pass resolutions waiving county MOEs to receive their share of SRP dollars.

 

  • HB 5732 creates a new $15M earmark of liquor revenue to fund the SRP program

 

  • HB 5772 redirects a portion of the $40 fee that originally funded the SRP to MCOLES for law enforcement training grants.

 

Secondary Road Patrol Program

SRP funds efforts to monitor traffic violations, enforce the state’s criminal law, investigate accidents involving motor vehicles, and provide emergency assistance to Michiganders on or near a patrolled highway or road. The funds can be used for employing additional personnel, purchasing equipment, enforcing laws in state and county parks, and providing selective motor vehicle inspection programs.

 

Governor Whitmer’s Record Breaking Public Safety Investments

As a former prosecutor, public safety is a core issue for Governor Whitmer. She has worked closely with local leaders, law enforcement officers, and community organizations to ensure people feel safe in their neighborhoods. Since taking office, she has signed four balanced, bipartisan budgets, each making record investments to help communities fund local law enforcement departments and hire more first responders. These budgets have expanded training and resources available to law enforcement from the MSP to local departments in every region of the state.

 

Last summer, the governor proposed MI Safe Communities, a plan to invest $75 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to reduce crime and keep families safe by getting illegal firearms of the street, tackle the criminal court backlog, expand resources available to law enforcement, and address the root causes of crime by investing in jobs programs, counseling, and education.

 

Governor Whitmer’s Criminal Justice Investments

Governor Whitmer has also worked across the aisle to enact historic criminal justice reform. She signed bipartisan “Clean Slate” legislation to help hundreds of thousands of Michiganders emerge from the criminal justice system with enhanced opportunities for jobs and housing, empowering them to pursue their full potential. She also launched task forces to address pretrial incarceration and juvenile justice and pursued reforms to improve relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.

 

Governor Whitmer signed her fourth balanced, bipartisan budget that included funding for Jobs Court, a program that offers non-violent, low-level offenders gainful employment with local partnering small businesses.

 

Governor Whitmer with Law Enforcement 1

 

Gov. Whitmer with Law Enforcement

Lowering Costs for Michiganders

Lowering Costs for Michiganders

by | Sep 26, 2022 | Regional News

U.S. Senator Gary Peters
Friend –

I was proud to help pass the Inflation Reduction Act into law to address some of the most pressing issues facing Michiganders and significantly lower costs for families across our state. Here are a few things you need to know about it!

FIRST: The law lowers prescription drug and health care costs.

  • This law allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap out-of-pocket costs to $2,000 annually, which will lower prescription drug costs. It also will reduce the cost of insulin, capping at $35 per month co-pays for seniors on Medicare plans, and reduce Affordable Care Act premiums for Michiganders for three years, through 2025.

SECOND: The law makes the most significant investment ever to tackle climate change and drive down energy costs.

  • It will accelerate clean energy production, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage families to make their homes more energy efficient. This is also a huge economic opportunity because this new law will incentivize domestic manufacturing and help create millions of good-paying jobs here at home.

THIRD: The law fights inflation, reduces costs and lowers the deficit.

  • This law will fight inflation by reducing costs for families and will lower the deficit by closing tax loopholes to ensure the biggest corporations and the ultra-wealthy are paying their fair share and imposing a one-percent tax on corporate stock buybacks.

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I recently went to the White House to highlight the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act. To watch my breakdown of how this law will lower costs for Michiganders, click here.

 

This historic achievement will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Michiganders, and I was pleased to help make it a reality. To learn more about how this law impacts you, visit my website by clicking here. If you are interested in how this law’s clean energy investments can save you or your family on energy bills and beyond, click here.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan