Politics & Government

Update from State Sen. Steve Bieda

Sen. Bieda shares his thoughts and updates from Lansing.

This update from Lansing comes to Patch from state Sen. Steven Bieda:

Property Tax Guide

State Sen. Steven Bieda is offering a taxpayer’s guide to property tax assessment to assist Macomb County residents. The guide, posted on Senator Bieda’s website at www.senate.michigan.gov/bieda/PropTaxInfo.pdf, focuses on taxpayer rights and explains the assessment appeals process.

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In addition to a step-by-step description of how to effectively file an appeal, the guide also highlights how property taxes are assessed and the criteria to qualify for the Homestead Property Tax Exemption.

IRS Offers Free File Program

The IRS Free File program offers 100 million Americans a fast, free and safe way to do their federal taxes online. Through IRS Free File, all taxpayers who made less than $58,000 in 2010 can visit http://www.irs.gov/efile/ and use the industry’s top tax preparation software for free. Users get the step-by-step help they need to prepare, complete, and file federal tax returns online at no cost. Additional information is available at www.freefilealliance.org or www.freefile.irs.gov.

Beware of Fake Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notices

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The IRS receives thousands of reports every year from taxpayers who have received suspicious notices claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Many of these scams use the IRS name or logo as a lure to make their communications seem authentic. The address of the official IRS website is http://www.irs.gov. Any website claiming to be the IRS with an address ending in ".com" or ".net" or ".org" is a bogus website. Contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040 to determine if the IRS has a legitimate need to contact you.

Insurance Information Hotline Offers Answers to Questions

The Insurance Information Hotline is a free service designed to provide consumers with prompt, objective information on all types of insurance. It is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling (800) 777-8055. You can e-mail your questions to iimhotline@iiminfo.org. The Insurance Information Hotline was established in 1979, and it is funded by the insurance industry and administered by the Insurance Institute of Michigan, a non-profit organization which sponsors public information and education programs.

The Michigan Military Technical and Historical Society

The Michigan Military Technical Museum will be opening in Eastpointe this summer. Members of the Military and Technical Historical Society are seeking donations as they prepare for the museum’s grand opening. The group is looking for items ranging from office furniture to electronics as well as monetary contributions and sponsorships. For more information on how to help this non-profit organization please visit their web site at www.mimths.org.

2011 Hunting and Fishing Licenses, Pure Michigan Hunt Applications on Sale Now

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds outdoor enthusiasts that the 2011 hunting and fishing licenses are on sale now. The licenses are good from the date of purchase through March 31, 2012, unless otherwise specified for restricted hunts. Persons who purchase four or more licenses at one time are eligible for a 15 percent discount. Prices have not changed from 2010 prices.

Legislative Update

Below, please find information on bills that are currently under consideration by the legislature. The full text of these bills can be found by visiting www.legislature.mi.gov. You can search for information by entering just the bill number.

Introduced in the Senate:

  • Senate Bill 73: This bill would prohibit an employer from making employment decisions based on the health or illness of an employee's family member to ensure fair employment practices.
  • Senate Bill 117: This bill would create financial disclosure requirements for candidates seeking state and local offices to offer greater transparency and identify conflicts of interest.
  • Senate Bill 202: This bill would prohibit additional time from being accrued to defined benefit pensions by former legislators who are elected to office and instead require them to contribute to a defined contribution system.
  • Senate Bill 260: This bill would create a reporting and notification system for missing senior or vulnerable adults similar to that of missing children.


Passed in the Senate:

  • Senate Bill 139: This bill revises the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference and reporting requirements for state agencies, moving the date of the conference from the last week of May to the third week of May and adding prison population, Correction expenditures, Medicaid expenditures, and Human Service caseloads and expenditures, to the revenue estimating process. It also changes the requirements regarding the State Budget Directors monthly reports and spending plans for each department.
  • Senate Bill 140: This bill appropriates $102 million in state restricted constitutionally-dedicated Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) revenue. The bill substitute is a Capital Outlay bill to implement the MNRTF recommendations for 117 recreation projects and land acquisitions totaling $102 million.
  • Senate Bills 188, 189 and 206: These bills would create a three-tiered categorization and report requirement system for the Sex Offender Registry and put Michigan in compliance with federal law.
  • House Bills 4214, 4216, 4217, 4218 and Senate Bills 157 and 158: These bills redefine the scope and power of Emergency Mangers who take over municipalities and school districts in financial crisis. They provide early warning triggers for state officials to step in to take preventative measures.
  • Senate Resolution 23: A resolution to declare March 14 to 18, 2011, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.
  • Senate Concurrent Resolution 9: A concurrent resolution to reject the proposal of the Civil Service Commission to extend health benefits to adults and their dependents living with but not related to a classified employee.

Sen. Steve Bieda can be reached by mail at 310 Farnum Bldg., P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536, email: SenSBieda@senate.michigan.gov, phone (517) 373-8360.

 


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