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Local News

Cautious Optimism With State Budget Projections

Consensus has been reached in Michigan’s budget projection for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021 and upcoming 2022 and 2023 fiscal years by the State Treasurer, State Budget Director, Senate Fiscal Agency, and House Fiscal Agency. The change from January to August for 2021 is a reduction of $2.47 billion. The change from January to August 2022 is a reduction of $1.72 billion.

State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “While the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on our economy, the state of Michigan has outperformed national averages in a number of areas. While still down more than $1 billion compared to before the pandemic, today the state’s revenues were raised upwards primarily due to direct and indirect impacts from the federal stimulus.”

Eubanks went on to caution that the recovery depends on “the course of the pandemic and the additional economic relief coming from Washington D.C. There is cautious hope and optimism as we move forward as vaccines are administered, and we begin to put the pandemic behind us.”

Revenue estimates are based on the most recent economic projections and forecasting models. A link to the full report:

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (mi.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sheriff’s Office Phone Number Being Used in Scam

St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King is advising residents to be extra vigilant in watching for the latest scam to hit the area.  The latest involves a suspect calling the victim saying he must buy Green Dot or other types of cards or they will be arrested.  One person was told he had missed jury duty and had to buy a $400 Green Dot card and give the caller the confirmation number.  The suspect had somehow rigged the call so that the Sheriff’s Office main number showed on the victim’s caller ID.

“I want everyone to know that the Sheriff’s Office does not make calls to collect money,” said Sheriff King.  “If anyone receives that type of call, immediately hang up.  Do not give out any personal information and do not purchase any type of financial transaction device.  Then call our office to make a report.”

Sheriff King went on to say there are numerous types of scams that are occurring and likely will continue in the future.

To avoid being a victim of email or phone scams, Sheriff King has the following tips:

  • Do not answer calls from unknown phone numbers. If you must pick up, refuse to engage with telemarketers over the phone. While some seem friendly, they may attempt to sell products or services you do not want or need. Or, they may attempt to gain access to your money. Do not worry about offending anyone. Firmly say, “Remove us from your calling list.” You needn’t provide an explanation. Then, hang up.
  • Do not open emails you do not recognize. Avoid clicking on links that may bring you to fake websites that often look real. If you receive an email with spelling errors, it could be a red flag.
  • If a company or individual tells you to make payments in the form of gift-cards, or tells you to keep their call a secret, it’s a scam.
  • Register your phone number on the national do not call list, utilize caller ID to avoid answering unwanted calls from solicitors, or block numbers if receiving repeated calls.
  • Anyone who contacts you to demand money, and threatens or harasses you for payments, should be reported to your local police. If you receive an unwanted call after your number was on the National Do Not Call Registry for 30 days, report it to the FTC.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office

Michigan’s Environmental Justice Public Advocate Works Toward “Meaningful Involvement”

Michigan continues to make national headlines with the Flint water crisis, thought to be one of the most shocking examples of environmental injustice in modern history. Since then, Michigan’s Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate was created and has just announced the launch of a new resource to connect residents with environmental justice and equity action. The website, Michigan.gov/EnvironmentalJustice is meant to showcase ongoing projects and initiatives, community partnerships, and ways to interact with the office.

One of the projects that the Office is currently working on is improving heating and ventilation systems in schools. Tribal relations are also part of the work of the office.

Regina Strong, Environmental Justice Public Advocate, said, “Action is at the heart of environmental justice advocacy. The role of the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate is to work collaboratively within state government and with the community to move toward ensuring environmental justice in the state. This new website is designed to provide a window into how we are moving the needle.”

A responsibility of the Office is to address and resolve environmental justice concerns and complaints. A link to the complaint form can be found at WGRT.com.

Environmental Justice – Grievance Procedures, Procedimientos de reclamo, إجراءات التظلم (michigan.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Wants You to Name a Snowplow

The Michigan Department of Transportation, MDOT, has announced a snowplow naming contest. That’s right. Snowplows will have names. How about Plowasaurus? Sir Salts-a-Lot, or maybe Plowy McPlowface? Those are names that have already been selected, but the state has a fleet of 250 plows and more need naming.

Not only will snowplows be named, but they can be viewed in real time while plowing snow with the “Mi Drive map”, an online resource that shows where the plows are and provides dashcam footage.

MDOT Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “We hoped this could be both fun and instructive and we’re thrilled with the participation from students and others in the community. I love many of the suggestions, and I can’t wait to see more.”

School and community groups can go online to learn how to name a snowplow. According to MDOT, name suggestions must be G-rated and family friendly, and submissions that include famous, character, or brand names cannot be used. Final selection will be made by staff from each of MDOT’s seven regions. St. Clair County is in the Bay Region. 

A link to full details:

www.Michigan.gov/NameMISnowplow 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“With Unity Comes Infinite Hope” Theme of PHS-NAACP Partnership

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools are partnering with the Port Huron NAACP to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with service and positivity. For the past six years, both the district and the NAACP have engaged students in learning about the life and legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement, according to a statement from the school district.

This year’s theme is “With Unity, Comes Infinite Hope”. The theme comes from Dr. King’s quote, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Students across the district will listen to age-appropriate readings and recordings with the message of unity and hope.

This year’s district wide project will be the making of cards for shut in seniors. The Council on Aging is partnering with the school district on the project.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain remarked, “This year, more than ever, encouraging and helping others find or rediscover hope is a valuable necessity. It’s inspiring to see our students challenge themselves in the memory of Dr. King to provide hope to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community, shut in seniors.”

A link to full archive of Port Huron Schools’ MLK Day projects:

http://phschoolsmlkday.weebly.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Joins Coalition Questions FDA’s Opioid Response

The opioid crisis is raging throughout the nation and while steps are being taken to address it, many are losing patience. Michigan is part of a coalition of 48 states that have taken action to hold the federal Food and Drug Administration accountable for their efforts in combating opioid addiction.

The coalition is looking for a progress report from the FDA clarifying how they are using their authority given under the SUPPORT Act to prevent and treat the crisis. The SUPPORT Act has provisions that include safer packaging and disposal features for opioids, new regulations on non-addictive alternatives to opioids, and prescribing guidelines.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “The opioid epidemic has been devastating for states in terms of lives lost and the strain it has imposed on both our health care system and economy. Patients suffering from chronic pain or addiction are particularly vulnerable, and if we are going to protect these patients and combat this epidemic, we must start by holding the FDA accountable for their role in this crisis.”

A link to the letter:

FDA Letter – NAAG.pdf (ca.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland