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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

foreclosure
By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Michigan House Democrats push for unemployment extension

By Ed Brayton | 08.21.09 | 10:33 am

Democratic legislators in the Michigan House of Representatives plan a series of events on Monday to put the pressure on the Republican-controlled Michigan Senate to pass a bill extending unemployment benefits for state workers. In a press release, the Democrats made their case for the necessity of such a bill:

A massive surge in the number of workers losing their unemployment benefits is expected to begin Monday, creating a huge financial strain on struggling families and communities. By year’s end nearly 100,000 workers statewide will have their unemployment lifeline cut unless action is taken.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm also called on the legislature to extend unemployment benefits. Currently, Michigan workers are eligible for up to 79 weeks of unemployment compensation, 26 of which are paid by the state and 53 of which are paid for by the federal government.

White House officials in the last few weeks have said they favored a federal extension of unemployment benefits and that they would be working with Congress when they got back from the August recess to pass a bill to do so.

It’s difficult to imagine where the money for any extension would come from at the state level, with the governor and the legislature already forced to cut hundreds of millions of dollars out of the budget and anticipating another steep deficit next fiscal year due to flagging revenues.

Comments

  • lostinmi

    I certainly understand the need for an extension. And to all the Democrats who are pulling for this… great work! BUT, you are still missing many of us who are STILL falling through the cracks, and after working all of our lives really do deserve something better out of our legislators. I am amost 62, have been out of a job since Dec. 2006, have been through I D theft several years ago, lost everything, and am still trying to get back on my feet. Even though I could/can draw Soc. Sec. in a couple of months, it is certainly not enough to live on, and I desperately need to plug a huge hole in my personal finances that will seemingly go on, and on, and on… I will need to work for a long time. Retirement is not in the cards.

    So, to our Michigan legislators…. please work with the Fed Gov't to come up with a solution to this national unemployment disgrace that has been vested upon our country, find a way to prop up those who are the real backbone of this country. The banks needed to have the bailout, sure, BUT that is only because of greed and corruption that jeopardized out financial system. Now, help this nation by helping the little guys… While it is said that small business creates the jobs needed for Americans, and is the backbone of our nation, WHY DON'T those in office have a clue that 95% of us who are out of work would love to be working in a small business!!! Ever since my job went away, I have spent every day looking, and that has been since Jan of 2007! If the Michigan citizenry cannot pay bills, find jobs, buy food or support their families, how can this state (or any other) expect to have a tax base to support the systems necessary for progress, status quo or in this case, survival.

    There are many who have thought of leaving Michigan for greener pastures… as the old addage says, “No matter where you go, there you are!” Don't trade one set of problems for another. Stay put, help rebuild Michigan, and God willing, the next step is for a massive scenario to literally address the current situation on A NATIONAL scale. If you have thoughts or ideas, contact every legislator you know and let them hear what you have to say. For one who is very proud of Michigan, please legislators; include all of us, not just a few. Honestly, I can't find part time work, and am not able to get into an educational program to be “retrained.” In fact, I have heard time and again that I am “overqualified”… a term that should be considered discriminatory as it labels a peson too old, and that is wrong. If a state proposal for unemployment extension of benefits does get offered (and somewhere the $$$ are found to do it) DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT LEAVE those who are just as badly in need out of your legislation!!! We should consider all residents in this state as family, and “charity” – in this case meaning true understanding and caring – starts at HOME! As you can tell by my login… I fell totally lost in Michigan! Like so many, I am drowning and need help. Not because I did anything wrong like the Wall Street bankers, but because I have always tried to work hard and do what is right and through no fault of my own, have NO OPTIONS!

  • eugenesnider

    out of work they say i can get 16 weeks 13 1st extension 5 2nd extension i work my last job for almost ayear before i got layed off . this doesnt right . deos it? i have afamily of 7 to take care of but the paper i got hte first time said i have a year. plus i am a student at a local college. thanks michigan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • eugenesnider

    what to do for jobs in michigan? besides pack up and leave like all the rest.

  • juamkid38

    Last week I received my last unemployment check. Which was the third extension. I thank God for those extensions. My friend worked at the same place as I did, I was fired November 14, 2007 and she was fired December 10, 2007. Unemployment told her she would be getting another 27 weeks and when I called they told me there wasn't any more extensions. I am wondering why????????? What is the difference.

  • afraidinmich

    My unemployment benefits ended with my last call to Marvin September 1, 2009. I have been able to pay my survival bills (rent,utilities,food) for this month but I don't know what I'm going to do for October. I've been out of work since December 31, 2007. I've been looking for work constantly. I have been told that I am over-qualified, under-qualified, not a good fit and simply “We regret we are not hiring right now”.
    I'm 48 years old and have a long way before social security can even be applied for. I've registered with every job site online, posting my resume and asking for e-mail job updates in my area. I carry with me at all times copies of my resume because you never know who you might meet. I've had some hits..for jobs that are to far to get to (out of MI). I don't have relocation money. Wish I did. But I don't want to leave Michigan, it's my home, my family's here. But I will and I must because I still have to eat.
    Like so many others I'm sure, there are many sleepless nights for me. Oh..I don't sleep anymore. I afraid of my future. 85% of my family members are laid off, so there is no going to my family, they CAN'T help. And I CAN'T help them either. We have regular family meeting to try to come up with a plan that will help us as a unit to no avail. I just want to WORK!! I was not raised to take hand outs (Social services) but I now receive food assistance from DHS because I have no choice. I am a good, honest, GOD fearing person and I know that I am not alone in this tragedy of unemployment. I'm hoping that my government will allow another extension. 13 weeks is fine. That's 13 weeks that I can continue to pound the pavement and try to come up with something/anything that will allow me to have some hope, some dignity, some sleep.
    It is my prayer that those of us that want to work will find work and soon. I would love to buy a new pair of shoes or go the movies or eat out but my unemployment benefits were not enough to do those things only enough to survive. And at this point I just want to survive. I just want to go to bed and good just one nights rest without worrying about my future. I'm so tired of being afraid. But I will not give up. May GOD be with us all!

    • keepmovingforward

      To afraidinmich: You are in my prayers. Don't lose hope.

      • afraidinmich

        Thank You…you are in my prayers as well.

  • lisalisa911

    I am in a similar situation as you, afraidinmich, but i have 2 kids and i am a single mother…and of course i do not receive a dime of child support. So i do this 100% on my own, and let me say, $387 a week with bills to pay and kids to support…it just does not cut it. I am grateful for the extensions, but i would much rather work, at least then i can work overtime and make extra money. I never worried about money and bills until i lost my job over 1 year ago. With the unemployment benefits and EB's we were just survivng with the bare essentials. We gave up our livelyhood, no more cable television, no more internet, or cell phones. Especially no eating out (way to expensive)..whats worse is the fact my kids are seeing how miserable their mother is right now. I feel like i lost all hope for a future, i never sleep because its the first thing i think of when i lay my head down. If they pass another extension at least i know we will have a home and food on the table for 13 weeks. I have submitted over 15 applications the past 2 weeks, and i pray every night for that call…so i need all the support i can get, whether its just typing my feelings here or talking to my preacher. It all seems to help a little. I would like to offer my prayers to everybody struggling through these hard times. God Bless all!

    • afraidinmich

      I'm here in prayer/strength lisalisa911. My kids are grown 25 & 19. They don't need my $ support but it would be nice to help them out once in a while. I can't take anything from them ( not that they have anything to give) but we support each other just the same with hugs and prayer.
      I charged an old cell phone and got some old contacts out of it and through that I'm going with a friend tomorrow to see if her boss can use my assistance perhaps part-time. Wish me luck. Some work beats no work. Afraid and on the verge of terrified. Please wish me luck.
      And it does help to just type it all out. Peace be still and praise and mercy be upon us.

  • sinkingfast

    I was laid off in March. A friend of mine was also let go the same day. She got a letter about extension, I did not. So I called (50 minutes of my life I won't get back) I was told “they will check into it, but cant gaurantee I qualify” When I questioned this statement, I got a rude woman on the other end, like a drone. What does she care, she has a job. When I asked, what happens after this (20 weeks if I get it) she said well not everyone will get the extensions in place as they are about to expire. Does anyone know of this? This article states 79 weeks! I dont want to use that many, but when your looking and doing everything in your power to find a job in a dried up state. My husband has been out of work a year come November 1. I like many others have worked my fingers to the bone to live a life. Never asking or needing help until now. We do qualify for any state benefits. My mortgage is 65% of our unemployment checks and we make to much? So no health care for us, son got MiChild. I know about those sleepless nights. I couldnt imagine being single and doing this. My heart goes out to you. God Bless us all. One day at a time is all we can do.

  • verysadinmi

    I have been laid of since mid-march and I too am hoping for the next extension to be approved. I am on my second extension right now an it's about to run out. I had to sit on the phone for an hour just to get through; they never mailed me a letter stating I was eligible for it in the first place, so I am glad I called. I too have dealt with a rude woman, acting like my questions were bothersome to her. Jesus, we just want help, is that to much to ask!!!

  • yolanda613

    Hi my name is yolanda and im all so in michigan i to was laid off from my job in 07, i would like to know if there is going to be a nother extention i am a mother of 4 grandmother of one i do get help from DHS. but its not enuff i cant pay bills on what they give and i was told if i did get another extention and didnt take it i would be cut off. if i do and take i would be cut and have to reapply and wait 45 days with know income because i cant reapply until i stop getting it. out of my 4 children to are over 18 and still a home because they are in school and there are no jobs all of the fast food jobs are toking to support familys.

  • popeyeus

    I have been layed off since oct.2. I have since before that time trying to lower my home mobile home, manufactured home payment by applying for a refinance fha loan through wells fargo bank in escanaba. They worked me through the steps and up to the appraisal of my property at which point it was refused because three other compariable homes that sold within 12 months where not there. So they kept my 390 dollars i had to scrape up to get the appraisel. I talked to Bart stupaks secretary and she sent me the guidel lines for fha hud loan proceedures and it only said that two compariable homes are needed for the appraisel. A week after i was turned down, a home down the block from me sold and i asked if they could reopen my appraisel and used that one. They said no, and wanted another 390 dollars. Fat chance on that one. So I could tell you what I think about wells fargo and fha loans in four words. So If i were you I would not want to deal with wells fargo or even fha for a loan. I am now layed off and have been cut off of the Medical Assess program for working 20 weeks on a seasonal job . They payed for my wife perscription for her heart and my cholestrol pills. It also payed for her cancer operation for melinoma mole on her arm. Praise God for that one. I have 7 weeks unemployment left on my old claim and worked 20 weeks more and hope i will be able to open up a new claim if i cant find work. I am 57 years old and my wife is 61 years old. I also have a second morgage on our house with a home equity loan i used to pay off a hospital bill for a hynea surgery i had so i would be able to work. It was for 4000 dollars, That was the 20 percent of the total cost that i had to pay osf that covered 80 percent charity. I wanted also to keep a good credit rating for any future loans. I have worked hard all my life with good union jobs until about the year 2000 when the country started rolling down hill. All i can find now is seasonal jobs and happy i can get them. I am not sure if i can get back next year as the local city is in the red and maybe going to have there union workers fill in to do our non union work. I dont see how they think they will save money as the union worker make twice as much money. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Michigan is in deep do do.

  • popeyeus

    I have been layed off since oct.2. I have since before that time trying to lower my home mobile home, manufactured home payment by applying for a refinance fha loan through wells fargo bank in escanaba. They worked me through the steps and up to the appraisal of my property at which point it was refused because three other compariable homes that sold within 12 months where not there. So they kept my 390 dollars i had to scrape up to get the appraisel. I talked to Bart stupaks secretary and she sent me the guidel lines for fha hud loan proceedures and it only said that two compariable homes are needed for the appraisel. A week after i was turned down, a home down the block from me sold and i asked if they could reopen my appraisel and used that one. They said no, and wanted another 390 dollars. Fat chance on that one. So I could tell you what I think about wells fargo and fha loans in four words. So If i were you I would not want to deal with wells fargo or even fha for a loan. I am now layed off and have been cut off of the Medical Assess program for working 20 weeks on a seasonal job . They payed for my wife perscription for her heart and my cholestrol pills. It also payed for her cancer operation for melinoma mole on her arm. Praise God for that one. I have 7 weeks unemployment left on my old claim and worked 20 weeks more and hope i will be able to open up a new claim if i cant find work. I am 57 years old and my wife is 61 years old. I also have a second morgage on our house with a home equity loan i used to pay off a hospital bill for a hynea surgery i had so i would be able to work. It was for 4000 dollars, That was the 20 percent of the total cost that i had to pay osf that covered 80 percent charity. I wanted also to keep a good credit rating for any future loans. I have worked hard all my life with good union jobs until about the year 2000 when the country started rolling down hill. All i can find now is seasonal jobs and happy i can get them. I am not sure if i can get back next year as the local city is in the red and maybe going to have there union workers fill in to do our non union work. I dont see how they think they will save money as the union worker make twice as much money. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Michigan is in deep do do.

  • tcfjuno

    In order to get unemployment benefits I think you should have to show some sort
    of signed proof by companies that you have applied to and if applicable went on actual interviews. I know people in MIchigan who will not look for a job because they say they make more on unemployment than they would at a real job. That is not right for those people out there that do not qualify or are willing to work for whatever they can. I do not approve on extension unless the person has physical proof of looking and applying for jobs in PERSON. Anyone can lie on the computer. Other states make you report in person.

  • tcfjuno

    In order to get unemployment benefits I think you should have to show some sort
    of signed proof by companies that you have applied to and if applicable went on actual interviews. I know people in MIchigan who will not look for a job because they say they make more on unemployment than they would at a real job. That is not right for those people out there that do not qualify or are willing to work for whatever they can. I do not approve on extension unless the person has physical proof of looking and applying for jobs in PERSON. Anyone can lie on the computer. Other states make you report in person.

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