Update From State Sen. Steve Bieda

I am pleased to send you the latest edition of my e-Newsletter. This e-Newsletter is a money-saving way for me to communicate with you and keep you informed about legislative activities. Below you will find information on upcoming events, legislation that has recently been passed by the Senate, as well as other news and updates.

Please feel free to distribute this information to others and contact my office with ideas about what we can do to better serve you. Communication with you is extremely important to me as I consider issues before the Michigan Senate.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you in the Michigan Senate. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Informational Town Hall on Federal Affordable Care Act:

Many of the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act will go into effect in 2014. Most people will be affected by these new health laws to some degree, even if it is when they turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. AARP has agreed to join me in presenting an informational town hall, where you can get expert answers to health care question you might have. I would encourage any small business owner to attend as this law affects them as well. I have reserved the Warren Community Center at 5460 Arden, Warren on August 26, 2013 at 6:30 pm. I hope to see you there.

Macomb County Seeks Feedback:

Macomb County is asking for feedback from residents about conditions across a range of topics in their community. The 2013 Community Climate Survey results will directly shape future decision making by both public and private sector leaders. If you are interested in filling out the survey, please click the following link: http://www.macombgov.org/MCPED/communityclimatesurvey.htm

Anton Art Center Exhibits:

Two interesting exhibits are coming to the Anton Art Center: Chromophobe opening on July 27and The Quilts of Gee’s Bend opening on August 11. More information can be found atwww.theartcenter.org.

Unemployment Insurance Agency Employer Seminar:

Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Office of the Employer Ombudsman will be hosting a seminar for employers on September 18th at the Macomb Intermediate School District building at 44001 Garfield (Central Training Room 100 A&B) information can be found online at:

http://clintontownshipemployerseminar2013.eventbrite.com/

The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is offering free condensed seminars to acquaint employers with the unemployment insurance system in Michigan and recent legislative and system changes within the UIA.

Seminar Topics Include:

• The Michigan Web Account Manager system (MiWAM)

• Working Part-Time and Collecting Unemployment Benefits (Underemployment)

• Refusals of Work

• UI Tax Reports/Forms (1028, 1107, etc.)

• How an Employer’s Tax Rate is Calculated

Each seminar will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 12:00 p.m. with 2 fifteen-minute breaks that will include question and answer sessions. Please register online. For questions about the seminar, please call the Office of the Employer Ombudsman at (855) 484-2636 or (4-UIAOEO), 313-456-2300 or email OEO@michigan.gov.

Warren/Center Line Senior Connection Group Wants You:

The Warren/Center Line Senior Connection is the largest senior group in Macomb County, and is open to all Macomb seniors over 55 years of age. Membership is only $5 per year and if you join before their August 13th picnic, you can get free admission. Regular meetings are the second Monday of every month at DeCarlo’s Banquet and Convention Center at 6015 East 10 Mile Road in Warren. Meetings have free refreshments, guest speakers, and even a D.J. If you would like more information, please call Sylvia Joseph at (586) 774-2172.

Eastpointe Looking to Form Optimist Club:

If you are at all curious about doing something positive in the community or helping kids get a leg up in the world, you may want to get involved with the new Optimist Club forming in Eastpointe. Optimist International is an association which participates in a variety of positive service projects in their communities. There will be an informational “Sweet Time” meeting on Wednesday, August 7th at 6:30 p.m. at the The Oddfellow Hall at 23322 Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe. For more information, you can contact Dave Martin at (586) 805-6690 or Michelle Kauffold at (313) 510-6300 or newmichelle@att.net.

Specialty License Plates for Your Vehicle:

Michigan offers a variety of specialty license plates for your vehicle. They offer plates available from Michigan public universities to some of your favorite charities. Check out the list below for prices and information or visit the Secretary of State Office at http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1585_1595-—|,00.html. If you’re interested, head down to your local Secretary of State office!

Spectacular Peninsulas Plates

The Spectacular Peninsulas plate is a decorative plate which showcases the best features of Michigan. It includes everything from cityscapes to forests and fields and even the “Mighty Mac.” This plate is available for a one-time fee of $5.

University Plates*

The State has issued university fundraising plates since 2000 to help fundraise for each of Michigan’s 15 state-supported universities. A portion of the fees collected goes to support the university you choose.

Special Cause Plates*

Michigan has issued specialty license plates since 2001 which help raise money for several state-supported causes. There are 10 different causes you can support, including the Children’s Trust Fund and Boy Scouts of America.

• University and special cause fundraising plates can only be used on non-commercial passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and motor homes. Motorcycles, trailers, and vehicles used commercially are not eligible for these plates. Both Special Cause and University plates costs $35 on top of the standard registration fee, and renewal costs $10 on top of the registration fee.

Veterans’ Plates

The Department of State offers plates for veterans and those who have served in the military. There are plates based on branch of service, and even conflict-specific plates. Each plate is available in either the standard or the Spectacular Peninsulas design. The standard design fee is $5. The Spectacular Peninsulas design fee is $10.

Historical License Plates

The historical license plate is the same format as the standard plate, displays six numbers, and has the word “Historical” at the bottom. The fee for a Historical Plate is $30 and they are renewed every 10 years.

Authentic License Plates

There is a special provision in law which allows a historical vehicle owner to use an authentic license plate from the vehicle’s year of manufacture. The plate can be obtained through a private sale or any other means available, but reproduction, remanufactured, or authentic dealer and manufacturer plates are not allowed. The plate has to display the proper colors from the year of manufacture. The Authentic Plate also costs $35.

Special Nonprofit Fraternal and Public Service Organization Plates

Special license plates are available for members of the following organizations: Michigan Professional Firefighters Union, Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Michigan State Firemen’s Association, Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Officers Association of Michigan. There is a $25 service fee when ordering one of these plates.

Personalized Plates

A personalized license plate (AKA Vanity Plates) may be purchased instead of a regular license plate. You can personalize standard, Spectacular Peninsulas, veteran, fundraising and special cause plates. Personalized plates cost the regular fee in addition to an initial $30 service fee.

Sincerely,

Senator Steve Bieda