Tax Relief Bill Making its Way Through State Legislature

State taxes could be reduced if the Senate approves a bill that has been bouncing around the Michigan Legislature.

Port Huron’s State Representative Andrew Beeler, a member of the House Committee on Tax Policy, endorsed the bill. 

The tax bill is estimated to provide $2.5 billion in tax relief to Michigan tax-payers, exemptions for seniors age 62 or older, and enable deduction from retirement income like pensions, 401(K) plans, and IRAs. 

The plan also allows parents to receive a child tax credit of up to $500 per child. 

Beeler said, “Inflation continues to creep, perhaps even leap, forward. Prices are climbing as working families and seniors alike dig deeper into their pockets to pay the cost of living. Meanwhile, the state government is sitting on a taxpayer-funded nest egg, and the extra money available should be returned to the people who paid for it. Our plan extends real relief to the people of Michigan with a forward-thinking and family-focused tax cut.”

The tax relief bill is now headed to the Senate for approval.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PH Country Style Market - Photo by Jessie Wiegand

PH Country Style Market Opens Today

After many ups and downs, PH Country Style Market opens today in downtown Port Huron, and co-owners Steve Fernandez and Michelle Jones are excited to welcome the community to a new way to shop for groceries in St. Clair County.

The new grocery store will focus on small shopping trips for essentials, gourmet ingredients, fresh meat, dairy, and produce, and old-fashioned customer service. Both the interior and exterior have been lovingly remodeled to create a unique and aesthetically pleasing environment.

The soft opening starts at 11 AM on March 4, 2022, and the store will be open from 11-6 for the first month. A grand opening celebration is planned for April 2nd with hopes of unveiling the basement level of the store which will house a wine and beer cellar and sundries shop.

To learn more about the story behind the store, listen to Steve Fernandez on LIMElight with Jessie <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Canadian Law Enforcement Snags Narcotics at Border

A large quantity of narcotics was seized at the U.S.-Canadian border in January. The Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police made the announcement on March 2nd, 2022.

The drugs were found when a 23-year old truck driver from Quebec City, Quebec, showed up at the primary inspection booth at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward. The drugs were found in large garbage bags and in spare tires in the tractor-trailer.

Approximately 265 kilograms of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines were seized from the vehicle. The matter is being taken up by the Ontario Court of Justice in Ontario.

The release from the Canadian law enforcement agencies said, in part, ”The CBSA, Southern Ontario Region, in partnership with the RCMP is committed to keeping illegal goods from entering our neighborhoods. The dedication of officers from these forces kept approximately 265 kilograms of illegal suspected narcotics from reaching our communities, weakening the grip of organized crime.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

$3.6 Million in Grants to Help Fight Invasive Species

The Michigan Invasive Species Program is investing heavily in finding and removing the threats that could disrupt the diverse and fragile ecosystem on which so many depend for commerce and recreation in the state. Invasive species include things like gypsy moths and Asian carp.

Cooperation between several state agencies is resulting in the awarding of $3.6 million for invasive species projects. The Lake St. Clair Cooperative Invasive Species Management project will get $100,000 to go toward education and outreach, early detection and response, and organizational structure. The grant was submitted by the Six Rivers Land Conservancy and benefits St. Clair and Macomb counties.

The grants will help local agencies work on preventing the introduction of new invasive species, strengthening the statewide early detection and response network, limiting the spread of recently confirmed invasive species, and managing and controlling widespread, established invasive species.

Thirty-one projects are receiving funding through the grants.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Still Dealing with Unemployment Claims from the Pandemic? New Law Might Help

With a new Michigan law, certain unemployed workers who were only available for part-time work are now eligible for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA. The benefits were previously only available to full-time workers.

The law affects claims filed after March 1, 2020. The program ended in September of 2021. The law is expected to help those who are still dealing with paperwork regarding claims from the past two years.

Julia Dale, Director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said, “This is an important change for part-time workers under PUA. The federal program allowed for certain workers to qualify for benefits that helped them stay caught up with their bills.” 

Upon signing the bill into law, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The changes in this legislation will streamline our unemployment system and provide relief to Michiganders who needed these federal benefits to pay their bills, keep food on the table, and continue supporting small businesses.”

The bipartisan legislation is part of ongoing reforms to Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

TEC Students Receive Awards at State-wide Competition

Students enrolled in health care programs at St. Clair TEC recently competed in a state-wide competition in Traverse City. The Michigan HOSA State Leadership Conference took place on February 24-25, 2022, and two St. Clair County students received awards for their work.

Megan Liniarski, a senior at Marysville High School, earned a silver medal for her student-produced healthcare newsletter in the HOSA Happening competition.

Emma Lewandowski, an 11th grader at Port Huron Northern High School, earned 4th place overall in the Health Care Photography competition.

Congratulations to both of these students and their instructors, Melissa Holstine and Kami Peters who accompanied them to the competition.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand