WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

In this Issue:
● FYI Notes
● Update: Economic Forum in Central Lake
● Video Update
● Bi-Weekly Survey
● 90th Anniversary of Michigan State Parks
● Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center Announces Spring Programs
● April is Alcohol Awareness Month
● Free booklets available regarding underage drinking
● 2009-2010 Citizen's Guides Now Available

Dear Friends,

I would like to keep you updated on what is happening in Lansing and how it affects us all in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Otsego counties. Therefore, I will be sending bi-weekly e-newsletters containing a legislative update and other useful information. I hope that you will find this helpful, and if you have any questions or concerns, you will feel free to contact my office. Thank you for your time and interest in district events.

Kevin Elsenheimer
State Representative
105th District

UPDATE -- APRIL 17, 2009

FYI Notes

Tributes and Congratulatory Notes
Looking for a unique way to commemorate a special occasion for a co-worker, friend or family member? My office is pleased to offer legislative tributes in honor of a number of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions. To request an official state of Michigan tribute from my office, please visit www.gophouse.com/elsenheimer.htm, select "Recommend someone for a congratulatory certificate" and fill out the request form.

Coming to Lansing?
As House Republican Leader, I receive invitations to countless legislative conferences and events. Please know my priority is you. If you plan to visit Lansing for a conference or meeting, please contact my office in advance so I can make every effort to meet with you while you are in town.

Stay in Contact
Mail: P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
E-mail: kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov
Toll-Free: 1-877-536-4105
Phone: (517) 373-0829
Fax: (517) 373-1841
Web site: www.gophouse.com/elsenheimer.htm
Blog: http://staterepkevinelsenheimer.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/teamkevin


Update: Economic Forum in Central Lake
Senator Allen and I hosted an Economic Forum in Central Lake this past Wednesday night. Representatives from Michigan Works!, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, the Mancelona Family Resource Center, and the East Jordan Family Health Center were on hand to explain what assistance was available to the workers and the community.

The event was well attended with over 100 people coming to learn what options were available in terms of job retraining, business startups, and how to obtain quality affordable healthcare.

If you were unable to attend, I would be happy to provide you with the information that was presented at the meeting. Please contact me toll-free at 877-536-4105 and I will send you all of the available information.

Video Update
To view video and additional information about the economic forum mentioned above, please click here and click here and click "View Video".


Bi-Weekly Survey
Last week, I asked you to answer two short questions on the Federal Stimulus Package. Thank you for taking the time to respond. There were 130 responses. Here are the results:

Do you support taxpayer dollars paying for the stimulus package?
Yes 29% No 71%

Do you feel that stimulus dollars should be used to "back fill" or cover the emerging budgetary shortfalls?
Yes 25% No 75%

This week, I ask that you click on the link below to fill out my Spring 2009 Legislative Survey.

http://www.gophouse.com/SelectSurveyNET/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=98KImo2


90th Anniversary of Michigan State Parks
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Michigan State Park System. On Saturday, June 20, 2009, the DNR and other sponsors will host celebrations at state parks and recreation areas around the state. Bring friends and family for cake and ice cream in your local area and celebrate 90 years of outdoor memories. For a complete list of 90th anniversary events and participating parks, visit the DNR online at www.michigan.gov/dnr. (Click on 'Inside the DNR' to find the 'Calendar of Events'.)


Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center Announces Spring Programs
The Michigan Fisheries Visitor Center recently announced its spring programs for 2009. The Department of Natural Resources' visitor center is located at 3377 US-31 in Oden, five miles east of Petoskey.

On Saturday, April 25, the visitor center will host an Earth Day Celebration with activities taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, May 2, the center will host its 4th Annual Youth Fishing Clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This clinic is for children in grades 4-8. Pre-registration is required and begins on Friday, April 3. For more information, call the center at (231) 348-0998.

Saturday, May 23, is the official opening day for the visitor center. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week through Labor Day.

All programs at the visitor center are free. Tours of the Oden State Fish Hatchery are offered by reservation, and hunting and fishing licenses are now on sale at the visitor center.


April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Statistics show that every year over 6,500 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related injuries involving underage drinking and thousands more are injured. Almost 2,400 youth under 21 die in drinking and driving crashes; almost 2,400 die from other accidents, such as falls and fires, 1,500 die in alcohol-related homicides and 300 due to suicide.

Some important basic facts about underage drinking:
• alcohol is the number one drug of choice for America's young people, more than tobacco or illicit drugs;
• those who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21;
• each day, 7,000 kids in the United States under the age of 16 take their first drink; and
• underage alcohol use costs the nation an estimated $62 billion annually.

This month, please take the time to help educate a child about the consequences of underage drinking. For more information, visit http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/aprilalcohol/.


Free booklets available regarding underage drinking
Since 2002, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association and the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals have teamed up and created Parents Unite to Prevent Underage Drinking - a free booklet parents can use as a valuable tool to speak to their children about underage drinking. More than 470,000 copies have been distributed. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this booklet, please contact my office at 877-536-4105.

2009-2010 Citizen's Guides Now Available
The new citizen's guides with information the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary branches of state government are now available. They include contact information and how to be an active participant in the legislative process. Please contact me if you would like a copy.