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Cindy Denby
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Making government more efficient |
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May 12, 2012--
Making our state government more efficient and effective and increasing transparency are all important to helping get our state back on track and my legislation approved this week by the House Committee on Oversight, Reform and Ethics helps accomplish this goal. House Bill 5553 allows the Michigan Auditor General to perform a statewide single audit instead of the current individual department approach. My legislation would move Michigan to a single statewide audit program, which 47 states already use. Switching to this system will allow the Auditor General to better allocate its resources and produce one large report instead of 24 various reports every year.
Due to federal restrictions under the current system, the Auditor General has a backlog of performance audits. Under a single system, the Auditor General would have more flexibility, which will increase the possibility of finding more cost-savings for the state. This flexibility also will help the Auditor General complete program audits in addition to financial audits. The new system would increase transparency by making the Auditor General's single report easily accessible, as opposed to looking in several different locations for current reports. HB 5553 is now before the full House for consideration.
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Warm weather also begins construction season in Michigan and I want to make everyone aware of a project that will impact our commutes in the coming months. Beginning May 11, construction will take place on I-96 between eastern Ingham and Livingston counties. The Michigan Department of Transportation will be working on pavement patching and shoulder upgrades, along with bridge repair at structures over Deer Creek, Doan Creek and the Red Cedar River.
The construction will cause single-lane closures in either direction on nights and weekends until the project's completion by the end of August. Weekend closures will go from 9 p.m. on Fridays until 5 a.m. on Mondays, while nighttime closures will take place Monday through Thursday from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following morning. Road work will not be conducted on holiday and special event weekends. MDOT encourages drivers to plan extra time and watch for traffic slowdowns when taking this route. This construction may cause inconvenience right now, but the road improvements will be well worth it after the project's completion so I encourage everyone to be patient and drive safely.
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If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at
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Great progress on 2013 budget |
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May 4, 2012--
I'm pleased to announce that we are making great progress on the Fiscal Year 2013 budget and should finish before our self-imposed June 1 deadline. The House and Senate have each already approved versions of the budget and now the budgets head to conference committees where a final compromise will be worked out. I'm extremely proud that we are continuing to focus on responsible budgeting and long-term solutions, as well as increased government efficiency and accountability.
Last year was the first time in more than 30 years that the budget was completed before June 1 and I'm proud that we are setting a new standard for state budget work. Completing the budget in advance of the October 1 constitutional deadline helps local governments, school districts and others relying on state funds to accurately plan for their own budgets instead of having to make estimates, which sadly used to be the norm. We are making responsible decisions for our state's future, including paying down our debt to make sure Michigan is in good financial shape for years to come.
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Warm weather leads to many residents' favorite time in Michigan- boating season. In addition to the Great Lakes we have 11,000 inland lakes and rivers throughout the state. No matter what type of boating you are interested in, there is something for you. Michigan has over 7,000 miles of streams for canoeing, 13,000 miles of trout waters, and 700 lake and river access sites. Before you head out, it is important to make sure you have everything you need, especially a boater's license.
Michigan requires anyone born in 1979 or later to have your boater's safety certificate before heading out on the water. The Department of Natural Resources website lists classes throughout the state and also online options. For more information about boater's safety certificate requirements, or to find classes in your area, visit the DNR's websitehttp://www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at
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Remember to call MISS DIG |
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April 27, 2012--
Now that spring is finally here, many residents are starting to think about getting started on projects in their yards. While improving our yards is a great idea, it's important to remember to follow the rules and be safe when doing so. April has been recognized in Michigan as dig safely month and MISS DIG wants to be sure all that residents dig safely now and all year round. Whether it's fence or sprinkler installation or landscaping and construction, it only takes minutes to come in contact with buried utility lines.
I encourage residents to call MISS DIG by dialing 811 to have electric, natural gas and other buried utilities marked before you begin digging projects. Making a call to 811 three business days before digging will ensure that all underground lines are marked with paint, flags or stakes. This will prevent damage to underground lines which could result in injury or service interruptions. Calling MISS DIG is free and helps to save time and money while ensuring safety in your upcoming project. For more information about MISS DIG visit www.missdig.net.
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Gov. Snyder proclaimed April 15 to 21 as Volunteer Week in Michigan. Communities and individuals in need throughout our state rely heavily on volunteers and I want to join with the Michigan Civil Service Commission in thanking these kind-hearted individuals for their assistance in making our state a better place to live, work and play. According to the CSC, we have more than two million volunteers in our state and I was proud to honor the service and commitment of these individuals during volunteer week. Volunteers rarely receive recognition for their efforts, so next time you see a volunteer, be sure to tell them you appreciate their efforts. Every action of volunteerism is making a difference in our communities.
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If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at
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Severe Weather Awareness "Important" |
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April 20, 2012--
Michigan recognized April 15 to 21 as Severe Weather Awareness Week, a great opportunity to remind residents to have a plan in place in preparation for a weather emergency. According to the Michigan Committee of Severe Weather Awareness, in 2011 there were 15 twisters and 38 flooding events in the state. This severe weather resulted in four deaths and more than $150 million in damages. The recent tornado that occurred just last month in Dexter is also a reminder of why being prepared is so important.
The first step in preparing for severe weather is identifying the safest shelter in your home and workplace. Load bearing walls near the center of a basement or the lowest level generally provide the best protection. It's also important to be aware of shelter areas in public facilities such as schools, shopping centers or other public buildings. It is a smart idea to put together emergency kits for both your home and car. These can include items such as first aid kits, flash lights, water, battery operated radio (and extra batteries) and a cell phone.
It is also extremely important to take steps to protect all of your valuable documents. When doing this it is also a good idea to create an inventory of your furnishings and possessions in case they are lost or damaged in a storm. In preparation for severe weather, the Insurance Institute of Michigan also recommends that residents check their insurance policies. Tornadoes are considered "windstorms" and are covered by almost all homeowner's policies. Flooding however is not covered under normal home policies; but it is available for purchase through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Paying attention to storm warnings also is very important to protect your family. Always make sure to stay alert and follow the news during a tornado or thunderstorm watch. If a tornado warning is issued, go immediately to your shelter location and take your emergency kit with you. Also keep away from windows and chimneys, and abandon mobile homes or cars.
The Livingston County Emergency Management department has great resources to help residents prepare for emergencies including valuable tips and an emergency preparedness quiz. These tools are available on the Livingston County website at http://co.livingston.mi.us/EmergencyManagement/preparedness.htm.
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If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at
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State's economic situation improving |
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April 5, 2012--
Our state looks much different than it did a year ago. We have implemented significant reform to get Michigan back on track and the results have begun to show. Just last week, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Michigan's personal income growth rate is at the highest level in a decade, and also is the best among the Great Lakes states. In 2011, Michigan's personal income increased 5.2 percent, exceeding the national personal income growth rate.
This is only the second time since 1995 that Michigan's annual growth rate exceeded the national level. The data follows the recent decline in Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (which dropped to 8.8 percent in February). This was the seventh consecutive decline in unemployment and the lowest rate in nearly four years.
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Part of getting Michigan back on track was choosing sound investments that will benefit Michigan taxpayers. One of the expenditures that the Michigan House focused on during the last year was providing $14 million to continue Pure Michigan advertising in 2011. Tourism has always been a major industry for our state, but that investment and decision to push the Pure Michigan brand paid off more than anyone could have expected.
New studies show that last summer's Pure Michigan campaign brought in record numbers of visitors from other states last year. Summer advertising alone generated 3.2 million trips to Michigan and visitors spent $1 billion at Michigan businesses, paying $70 million in Michigan taxes. This is a $4.90 return for every tax dollar invested in the program.
The success of Pure Michigan is just another indication that our state is heading in the right direction. In budgeting for next year and beyond, we will continue to look at successful programs like Pure Michigan that create jobs and strengthen our economy.
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If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please call me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via email at
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