George James

Unemployment Insurance Agency Reform Bills Pass House, Head to Senate

Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency has been in turmoil since the economy was brought to a halt during the start of the pandemic. Lawmakers have brought forth a series of bills to reform the troubled agency.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, said, “A functional government should carry out its responsibilities in a thorough and timely manner. Those characteristics hardly describe our unemployment agency, which paid over $8 billion in fraud, approved benefits erroneously and slowed down many legitimate claims. The legislation passed by the House will repair the agency after disastrous delays, confusing communications and bungled benefits.”

The state House passed two legislative packages last week. The bills are now headed to the Senate.

The bills call for a clear, expedited timeline in which the UIA can review and decide on claims and more transparency. There would be a new unemployment insurance advocate.

The bills also ensure that nearly 700,000 unemployment recipients who received the money in error but applied honestly, would not have to return the money.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Hometown “Rising Star” Jazmyn Thomas Returns to Port Huron as New Administrator

The City of Port Huron has announced the appointment of Jazmyn Thomas as the new Community Development Program Administrator. Thomas will be in charge of community development strategies and the disbursements of federal Community Block Grant funding.

Thomas got started in her career working as an intern for the City of Port Huron in 2012. Thomas is a Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Social Relations and Policy. She graduated with honors with her master’s degree in Public Administration from Oakland University.

After building her career working as a Grant Management Specialist for Macomb County, Thomas is back with the City of Port Huron, where she serves on the Community Foundation’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Port Huron Police Department’s Community Resource Champions Committee, and the St. Clair County Diversity Initiative.

Port Huron City Manager James Freed called Ms. Thomas a “rising star in public policy” and said,  “No one understands the needs of our community better than someone who grew up in our neighborhoods. Ms. Thomas was raised here and that’s why we are excited she will help shape our city’s future.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Want a Fast Tax Refund? File Electronically

Tax season is here and this year is complicated. The Internal Revenue Service is begging taxpayers to file online and is asking that filers make sure to report the correct amounts for stimulus payments and advance Child Tax Credits.

Filing season began on January 24th and getting started early is a good idea. The IRS is bracing for a “challenging” season, according to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. Rettig said, “Filing electronically with direct deposit and avoiding a paper tax return is more important than ever this year.”

For those who think they don’t have to file taxes this year, they might be wrong. A 2021 return is needed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit or reconcile advance payments of the Child Tax Credit.

Michigan’s Department of Treasury is echoing the sentiments of the IRS: file electronically. State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “Filing electronically is the easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get any refund due. This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund turnaround times.”

Taxes must be filed by April 18th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Time to Test for Cancer-Causing Radon in Your Home

It’s easy to test for radon, but homeowners often need a reminder to check for the cancer-causing invisible gas in their homes. This is your reminder.

January was radon action month, but anytime is a good time to test for radon. Radon is present in one out of four Michigan homes. Homes in the Blue Water Area fall into the 10-24% detection rate according to a Michigan testing lab.

Leslie E. Smith, III, Michigan’s statewide indoor radon specialist said, “Residents are encouraged to test for radon every two to five years. And if a radon mitigation system was previously installed in the home, residents are encouraged to test every two years to make sure that radon levels remain below action levels. Buildings settle and shift over time which can change the amount of radon that enters our indoors.”

Smith also advises checking the expiration date on radon tests, as they do expire and can give inaccurate results. Radon test kits can be purchased from health departments and hardware stores, as well as from mi.radon.com.

Visit the following links for more information.

https://mi.radon.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UHDr95nw7E

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

James Freed City of Port Huron

Freed Wins Community Leadership Award for Addressing Unfunded Liabilities

Port Huron City Manager James Freed has won the 2022 Community Leadership Award, given by the Michigan Municipal Executive Association.

Freed was nominated by Lake Isabella Village Manager Tim Wolf in a letter that was endorsed by fifteen city and county officials. In the nomination, Freed was commended for his work in turning around the finances of the city and avoiding impending bankruptcy.

In accepting the award, Freed said, “I am deeply humbled by the recognition of my professional peers. However, this is an award for the entire Port Huron community. We simply could not have made the achievements we have made without the strong and steady leadership of Mayor Repp and the City Council.”

Freed continued, saying, “Their leadership, coupled with the sacrifices of our employees and the understanding of an engaged community about complex issues, made Port Huron a state leader. This award is not about me, but more a reflection on our community as a whole to come together and tackle generational problems.”

Freed’s work in addressing the unfunded liabilities of the City of Port Huron was described as “groundbreaking” by the Michigan Municipal Executive Association.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland