Whitmer Makes Appointments to Boards and Commissions
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AG Urges Reduction in Consumers Energy’s Electric Rate
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Media Contact: Lynsey Mukomel FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan AG Nessel Urges Reduction in Consumers Energy’s Electric Rate RequestLANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to drastically reduce Consumers Energy Company’s pending rate increase request. The Attorney General intervened in the company’s request to increase rates with MPSC in March. The request includes an annual increase in revenues of $225 million, which would result in an 8.8% percent increase for residential ratepayers and a 5.5% increase overall when considering all ratepayer classes – residential, commercial and industrial. In her testimony, Nessel argues that the company’s request is not only excessive and unnecessary, but that MPSC should reduce rates. The testimony points out that based on current rates, Consumers Energy will receive excess revenue in the amount of $30.7 million and therefore should not receive another rate increase. Even if the MPSC does not accept the recommendations and approves the Company’s request in whole or in part, Nessel also argued for change in how costs are allocated so that costs are more fairly distributed among customers. Under her testimony, residential customers would only see a 4.8% rate increase versus Consumers Energy’s 8.8% request. “An 8.8% rate increase during a time when people are struggling with job loss and economic hardships is too much,” Nessel said. “I am fighting this exorbitant rate increase request and asking the MPSC to deny the request and grant a rate decrease. As this state’s chief consumer advocate, I will continue to advocate for all Michigan customers.” The Attorney General’s intervention in Consumers Energy’s last electric rate case helped save electric customers nearly $154 million, which represented a savings of more than 60% from the company’s originally requested rate increase. Since taking office, Nessel has saved Michigan consumers over $1 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. Consumers Energy provides electricity to approximately 1.9 million customers in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. |
Whitmer Breaks Ground at High-Tech Software Company
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2021 Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg, achtenbergk@
Governor Whitmer Breaks Ground at High-Tech Software Company TechSmith’s New International
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today broke ground on
“TechSmith’s investment in East Lansing proves once again that Michigan is a world leader in innovation and further cements the Lansing region as a tech and professional services hub in the state,” said Governor Whitmer. “This new headquarters facility will create up to 50 new good-paying, high-tech jobs for Michigan workers and underscores the strength of Michigan’s tech talent. As we jumpstart Michigan’s economy, today’s groundbreaking is helping to build the path for economic growth and recovery right here in mid-Michigan.”
TechSmith is a high-tech software development company focusing on capturing screen content for better communication. Its software is used as aides for training, tutorials, scholastic lessons and everyday communication. The company is consolidating five existing fa
“We’re pleased to welcome TechSmith to a location closer to our campus,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “They have been a great collaborator with the university for over a decade and this move will facilitate opportunities to further build upon our relationship.”
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $15 million with the support of a $250,000 Jobs Ready Michigan performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, awarded in December. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Florida, Texas and Maryland.
“In a growing tech company, it’s all about attracting and enabling the right talent,” said Wendy Hamilton, TechSmith CEO. “We look forward to providing a world-class tech facility to our amazing team that reinforces our culture, creativity, and collaboration. We are also committed to supporting Michigan State University and the Lansing region as community stakeholders and would like to thank so many partners that have helped get us to this partnership off the ground- including MSU, the MSU Foundation, the City of East Lansing, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and other partners. ”
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) assisted TechSmith in identifying and evaluating locations throughout the region. Additionally, LEAP has been vital to partnering and packaging TechSmith’s project with key governmental agencies and local business partners.
“This project will create and retain good, high paying jobs in a booming industry and at an internationally known local company – precisely the high-value targeted jobs people want and the type of jobs we need in the region,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP.
Since its founding, TechSmith has focused on embracing an employee-centric mindset and prides itself on offering compensation packages that exceed industry standards, along with providing professional pathways for every employee. To find and attract talent, TechSmith also has an extensive internship program that brings interns to the Lansing area each summer from many different universities and colleges, as well as providing year-round internships to local students from MSU and Lansing Community College.
The company expects the new building to be a recruiting tool that will include modern design, open work areas and employee comforts mimicking accommodations found at software companies based in Silicon Valley.
The project builds on economic prosperity efforts led by MEDC by supporting a business in the target industries of tech and professional and corporate services and fostering high-wage job growth.
“The Lansing area continues to establish itself as a growing tech and professional services hub in the state and this investment by TechSmith further underscores the competitive advantages our state is has to offer growing tech businesses – from the strength of our business climate to our talented workforce. Michigan is grateful for the TechSmith team’s continued vote of confidence in Michiganders,” said Josh Hundt
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org
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AG Warns Residents About Price-Gouging
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Media Contact: Lynsey Mukomel FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AG Nessel Warns Residents About Price-Gouging, Contractor Scams and Water-Damaged VehiclesLANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michigan residents to beware of scam artists and price-gougers who will try to take advantage of desperate home and vehicle owners in the next several days and weeks. Of particular concern are reports of price-gouging by towing companies that have towed cars out of flooded roadways and impounded them – as well as fly-by-night contractors offering to help homeowners clean up after the weekend storms. “I am concerned that bad actors may use the weekend’s flooding to overcharge or scam people who need assistance,” Nessel said. “Our Consumer Protection team is committed to investigating complaints and I encourage people to contact our office if you believe an entity is engaging in price gouging or other fraudulent behavior. We stand ready to hold accountable anyone who attempts to take advantage of this devastating situation.” Nessel re-issued three The first alert is focused on vehicle towing and explains the process to complain about unreasonable fees. Drivers have the right to challenge whether your vehicle was properly towed and the reasonableness of towing and storage fees, but you must do so in a timely manner and in an appropriate district court. The process requires you to file a petition in the district court with jurisdiction over the location from which your car was towed. You must file your petition within 20 days from the date on the notice that your vehicle was towed as abandoned. And you will be responsible for applicable court filing fees. The petition and instructions for how to fill it out are included with the mailed notice, or available on the Secretary of State’s webpage (Petition Regarding Impoundment of Motor Vehicle (DC90) form). If you request a hearing, you can also get your vehicle back while you are awaiting the hearing outcome, but you will have to either:
If the court finds the vehicle was improperly towed, you will be reimbursed for the towing and storage fees, and the abandoned vehicle fee will be returned. Nessel is also reminding people to research contractors if home repairs are needed before paying for a project and alerting drivers to beware of water-damaged vehicles being sold on the used car market. To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact: Consumer Protection Division Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. The Department provides a library of resources for consumers to review anytime on a variety of topics. |
Whitmer and Gilchrist Ask SBA to Release Crucial Funds
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2021 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Ask Small Business Administration to Release Crucial Funds For Michigan Small Businesses
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) expressing concern on recent court rulings preventing the SBA from providing critical grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to support women, veteran, and minority-owned Michigan restaurants and advocate for additional resources to help these small businesses immediately.
“Small businesses have been incredibly resilient throughout the pandemic, and it is critical that they can rely upon the aid promised to them to stay above water and support their hard-working employees,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we emerge from the pandemic, Lt. Governor Gilchrist and I are laser-focused on supporting small businesses and creating good-paying jobs and bigger paychecks for Michigan workers. My top priority is ensuring every community in Michigan is a part of our economic jumpstart so that we can build back even stronger than before.”
“Restaurants owned by women, veterans and people of color were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “These small businesses are cornerstones of their communities, supporting thousands of jobs and families across the state. We must do all we can to support these small businesses as we rebuild our economy, and it is crucial that the SBA provides resources to help these restaurants recover faster and stronger.”
“This past year has been very tough on all of us, especially small business owners who have been working day and night to build back from the pandemic,” said Matt Buskard, owner of Bobcat Bonnie’s restaurant with five location in Michigan. “That’s why we were excited when the U.S. Small Business Administration approved our application for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help us hire and catch up on bills, and it’s devastating to have it taken away on such short notice. We hope the relief that was promised to our small business will come through.”
Due to court rulings in Texas and Tennessee, the SBA halted relief to support women, veteran, and minority-owned restaurants across the nation.
To view the letter, click the link below: |
Fraud Prevention 101
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