Guidance on How to File a Consumer Complaint
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Year-end donations: Support Fostering Futures Scholarship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167 Countdown to year-end donations: Support Fostering Futures Scholarship Fund, earn tax breakScholarship awardee Rebecca Yager of Saginaw encourages donations to transform lives of foster youthLANSING — As 2024 draws to a close, the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund urges generous Michiganders to act quickly — there are only a few days left to make a year-end donation that directly supports foster youth in pursuing higher education while also making contributors eligible for state and federal tax deductions. This year, Fostering Futures highlights the success of Rebecca Yager, a scholarship recipient and student at Delta College in Saginaw County. The Bay City Central High School graduate’s inspiring story is a testament to the power of education in shaping futures. “Being awarded this scholarship has been life-changing,” Yager said. “It’s about more than financial support — it’s about knowing someone believes in your potential. I encourage everyone to donate, not just for the tax break but to give foster youth the opportunity to succeed.” The scholarship fund, managed by the Michigan Department of Treasury, has supported hundreds of students like Yager, covering expenses such as tuition, housing and textbooks. At any given time, there are approximately 9,500 children in foster care in Michigan who upon reaching adulthood often lack adequate resources to pursue their educational dreams. Former foster youth face significant barriers to education, with only 3% nationwide achieving a college degree. The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is committed to changing that statistic. “Your donation does more than provide financial aid — it offers foster youth a chance to dream big and achieve their goals,” said Diane Brewer, executive director of the Michigan Education Trust (MET). “Every contribution helps change lives and builds a brighter future for these deserving young individuals.” Since its inception in 2012, the program has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships, funded entirely through community donations, sponsorships and events. Contributions made by Dec. 31 will not only be eligible for state and federal tax breaks for the current tax year but also will have a direct impact in 2025 by ensuring that more of Michigan’s foster youth have access to the education they deserve. Fostering Futures scholarships now include attendance at any Michigan degree-granting college or university. To apply or learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship, go to http://www. |
Check Return Policies Before Heading to the Store
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Protecting the Great Lakes from a potential oil spill
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Gov. Signs Bills Putting More Money into Michiganders’ Pockets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Putting More Money into Michiganders’ Pockets, Extending Unemployment Benefits for Thousands of Michiganders Additional legislation supports apprenticeship training programs and telephone companies in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed six commonsense bills that will expand Michigan’s unemployment benefits for the first time since 2011, providing a lifeline for Michiganders who are in between jobs. Additional legislation signed also supports Michigan workers and businesses by improving guidelines for apprenticeship training programs and granting greater flexibility to Michigan’s telephone companies. Each of these bills build on this historic legislature’s work to protect Michiganders’ rights, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to “make it in Michigan.” Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,426 bipartisan bills into law since taking office.
“Today, I am proud to sign commonsense legislation that extends unemployment benefits, improves job training for apprentices, and more,” said Governor Whitmer. “With winter just around corner, Michiganders are still juggling high costs and a competitive job market. These bills will put money back in people’s pockets so they can keep a roof over their heads, pay the bills, get a good-paying job, and put food on the table. I’ll work with anyone to make sure Michigan is the first place folks think of to live, work, and raise their families.”
Senate Bill 40, sponsored by state Senator Paul Wojno (D-Warren), will provide a lifeline to individuals who are in between jobs by extending how long Michiganders can receive unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks. This bill reverses Snyder-Era cuts to unemployment benefits that have established Michigan as one of only 12 states that only offers unemployment benefits less than 26 weeks. This bill aligns Michigan with the majority of the country. The bill also implements a new maximum weekly benefit, increasing, over a period of years, the check amount to $614 from $362, putting $252 back in Michiganders’ pockets and marking the first time this increase has been made since 2003. This overdue update will bring relief to potentially 88,335 Michiganders, ensuring these individuals have enough money in their pockets to pay the bills and feed their families as they look for new employment.
“Protecting Michigan workers is very imperative to me and that is why the passage of this legislation is so important,” said state Senator Paul Wojno (D-Warren). “This legislation will not only increase the dollar amount of benefits but reverse the harmful six week cut of workers benefits implemented in 2011.”
“This victory for working people has been over a decade in the making,” said Ron Bieber, President of Michigan AFL-CIO. “Michigan workers are the strongest in the world and they deserve a safety net that allows them to provide for their families, put food on the table, and keep the lights on while they get back on their feet. Finally, Michigan’s unemployment benefits will be restored to full strength after years of lagging behind our midwestern neighbors and practically every other state in the country. We applaud the bipartisan coalition of legislators who voted to put the working class first in passing this legislation and are so proud of all the hard work that went in to get it to the Governor’s desk.”
Senate Bill 740, sponsored by state Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), supports plumbing apprenticeship and job training programs for Michiganders by requiring journey and master plumbers to supervise no more than two apprentices at a time. This legislation will help ensure apprentices are given proper supervision and mentorship throughout the training process, supporting quality education for Michiganders and expanding our state’s workforce.
“Plumbers are a vital skilled trade, this legislation will require a reasonable ratio for apprentice plumbers so they can learn and advance in their profession,” said state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton). “I’m proud to have advocated for this commonsense change that will safeguard our workers and job sites across Michigan.”
The Michigan Pipe Trades Association extends our deepest appreciation to Governor Whitmer for signing Senate Bill 740 into law,” said Jeremy Garza, Michigan Pipe Trades State Political Lead. This vital legislation establishes a balanced journeyman-to-apprentice ratio, ensuring apprentices receive the hands-on training necessary to uphold the highest standards of job site safety and quality. By prioritizing the health and safety of both our job sites and the communities we proudly serve, this law strengthens our workforce and reinforces the critical role skilled trades play in Michigan’s future.
Senate Bills 982, 983, 984, and 1050, sponsored by state Senators Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway), and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), support telephone companies in Michigan by allowing these businesses to convert into a limited liability corporation (LLC). These bills bring Michigan’s statutes up to speed with the rest of the country and will improve operational consistency for the businesses as well as customers.
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Community Investments Open Doors for Residents in 2024
Oakland County’s Continued Community Investments Open Doors for Residents in 2024
Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County’s innovative programs and partnerships provided more opportunities for residents to strengthen their physical and financial health in 2024. Here’s a review of some of the highlights of the county’s accomplishments under the leadership of County Executive Dave Coulter, with the support of the Board of Commissioners:
Healthcare: At a press conference earlier this month, Coulter and businessman and philanthropist Roger Penske announced a $3 million pledge from the Penske Family Foundation to the county’s Integrated Care Center (ICC). The pledge will help fund the ICC’s move to a permanent location in Pontiac and expand its care services for residents and first responders from mental health to housing.
Inclusive Housing: The groundbreaking of Oakland County’s first neuro-inclusive neighborhood, Walton Oaks, took place in September. The Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund (HTF) invested $500,000 into the 11-home subdivision in Rochester Hills and $1.5 million into the future Auburn Oaks development, also in Rochester Hills, which breaks ground in Spring 2025. These neighborhoods mix houses and condos built for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as neurotypical people. This living style encourages independence while fostering a supportive environment for adults with disabilities.
Public Safety: Earlier this year, Oakland County announced a new P25 Radio System to improve public safety and emergency response capabilities, advancing law enforcement and first responders’ life-saving services. The new system can connect Oakland County to fellow public safety agencies and dispatch centers across Michigan and supports 41 fire departments, 34 police agencies, seven public safety agencies and 20 dispatch centers locally. The P25 Radio System became an asset in response to the tragic shooting of nine people at the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills.
Oakland County Emergency Management hosted a regional full-scale disaster exercise in September to practice various rescue scenarios for a simulated six-story apartment building collapse with an unknown number of trapped victims. Motivated by the lessons from the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse in Miami, special operations and incident management teams from Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties will test their skills in Operation W.O.W. during a 12-hour exercise that day in downtown Rochester.
Student Debt Relief: The Coulter administration, working with the Board of Commissioners, announced the Oakland County Student Debt Relief Initiative in partnership with Savi in July. Savi helps borrowers who live in Oakland County or who work for Oakland County government lower their loan repayments and facilitate forgiveness. The Board of Commissioners paid Savi’s fee for one year, allowing residents and county government employees to use its services for free. On average, participants have saved $150 on monthly repayments and more than $40,000 of student loan debt per person has qualified for forgiveness as of December. More than 172,000 Oakland County residents of all ages have student loan debt, totaling about $6 billion. Eligible participants can register for no cost through Sept. 30, 2025.
Public Transit: SMART launched two new bus routes earlier this year to help residents shop, dine, go to work/school and attend medical appointments, a result of voters approving the countywide transit millage in 2022. Route 759 connects Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford and White Lake along M-59 with key stops at Oakland University, Pontiac High School, McLaren Oakland Hospital, and many shopping plazas. Route 492 connects Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Rochester, Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights and Ferndale with notable stops at Meadowbrook Amphitheater, Ascension Hospital, Rochester High School and numerous downtown areas.
The “This Ride’s on Us” program for veterans and their caretakers has been extended through September 2025. Launched in June 2024, this program has provided more than 3,000 rides to medical appointments, senior centers and shopping areas.
Advanced Manufacturing: Project DIAMOnD (Digital, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand), Oakland County’s groundbreaking initiative to equip small manufacturers with cutting-edge 3D printing technology and training, gained statewide attention in 2024. At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced plans to expand the program regionally across Southeast Michigan and eventually implement it statewide. By enhancing the agility and competitiveness of local manufacturers, Project DIAMOnD has already strengthened Oakland County’s economy, created new opportunities for innovation and showcased the potential for Michigan to lead in advanced manufacturing.
Sustainability: The entirety of Oakland County was awarded LEED® for Cities Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) due to the Office of Sustainability’s commitment to healthier environments and residents.
Public Health: Oakland County’s Health and Human Services Department held its first Health and Housing Summer Fest in August. The 455 attendees connected with free healthcare, including vaccinations, pediatric eye and dental exams as well as housing program experts. Families ate lunch and played on Oakland County Parks’ inflatables and rock-climbing wall. Oakland County distributed 200 backpacks with school supplies as well.
Fiscal Stewardship: While investing in the quality of life of its residents, improving infrastructure and services, and upgrading the tools for its employees, Oakland County has maintained its Aaa bond rating from Moody’s and AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s through the unwavering commitment of the Executive Office, Board of Commissioners and Treasurer.