STATE, FED TALKS HINT AT CORMORANT PROGRESS: Elsenheimer, Humphries meeting puts officials on same page.

Updating the federal cormorant management plan is still a year away but recent meetings between federal and state officials indicate they agree on increasing the depredation order.

House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer used a trip to Washington, D.C. earlier this year regarding the state’s auto industry to also talk to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials about cormorants, including presenting photos and local testimony about the birds. In May, Elsenheimer and Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries sat down to discuss the cormorant issue, as well as other topics.

“Talking directly to the people in charge is always the best avenue when possible, whether you are in D.C., Lansing or on Beaver Island,” Elsenheimer said. “Working on the cormorant situation together with Director Humphries, legislative colleagues, and sportsmen and women, we will be able to present Michigan’s case to the feds for increasing the depredation numbers when they begin reviewing options for their next program order.”

Currently, the federal program allows the removal of 10,500 birds a year. Initial discussions have indicated a willingness to at least double that number, which Elsenheimer said is a good starting point for now.

Director Humphries thanked Representative Elsenheimer for being a consistent voice on cormorant control for Michigan.

“We are glad that so many in the Michigan Legislature are supporting our efforts to increase effective control of the double-crested cormorant and push for a regional management solution to the challenges they present,” Humphries said.

The Michigan House this year already sent resolutions to Congress and federal agencies calling for attention to cormorant overpopulation in the state.

While in Washington, Elsenheimer also discussed the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ efforts for cormorant control and gathered contact information for sharing proactive initiatives or scientific information that could be provided to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Division to assist local communities in better controlling cormorants.

“Northern Michigan’s cormorant issue seems to be starting to get traction in Washington, so there’s at least a beginning that’s good news for residents,” Elsenheimer said. “Now we need to keep their attention and continue building a case over the next year for a larger depredation order when they actually issue it in 2010.”

Elsenheimer also applauded today’s passage of Senate Resolution 54, sponsored by Sen. Jason Allen, which requests that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extend indefinitely the depredation order for double-crested cormorants.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN AG JOB FAIR ANNOUNCED: Area lawmakers come together to help industry and job seekers.

More than 600 agriculture jobs are expected to be available at a June 22 job fair being sponsored by Reps. Kevin Elsenheimer, Wayne Schmidt and Dan Scripps and Sens. Jason Allen and Michelle McManus who are teaming up with Northwest Michigan Works! and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments to bring food-producing jobs to area residents.

“Michigan is going through tremendous changes economically and technologically, but one of the constants we can count on is the strength and vitality of our agricultural heritage,” said Elsenheimer, of Kewadin. “I’m encouraged that we will be able to connect potential employers and employees for jobs ranging from working on a potato farm to assisting with fruit processing through this job fair.”

The Agricultural Jobs Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 22 at the Park Place Hotel Dome.

“Agriculture is one of the few industries that is not only keeping jobs in Michigan, but adding more,” said Schmidt, of Traverse City. “This event is an opportunity for local producers to hire local workers who may not have been available in recent years.”

Allen, of Traverse City said: “The agriculture industry is not only from our soil, but on our soil, and it provides stable jobs that can’t be taken away from Michigan.”

Elsenheimer has been contacted by several residents from his House district whose unemployment benefits are ending and were searching for various methods to contact potential employers. After talking with area companies and Michigan Works! the idea of the job fair was developed, and Elsenheimer approached House and Senate colleagues with the idea.

“This is a great idea to help the farming and food production industry in Michigan continue to grow, and it also can lead to keeping food on local families’ tables through the jobs being offered,” said McManus, of Lake Leelanau.

Job providers interested in participating can contact Elsenheimer’s office at 1-877-536-4-105 or by e-mail at kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov.

“Putting people and jobs together is a top priority in this tough economy and I think the ag producers, Michigan Works! and other officials making this a possibility have found a proactive step to improving Michigan’s economy,” said Scripps, of Leland.

The Park Place Hotel is located at 300 East State St. in Traverse City.
Residents interested in applying for a job should bring a resume if possible. Michigan Works! will also have staff on hand to meet with area residents.

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS HEIDI'S LAW: Habitual drunk driving sentencing not a constitution violation.

As a freshman lawmaker, state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer joined Sen. Jason Allen to successfully change Michigan law to make a third-offense drunk or drugged driving a felony criminal offense and eliminated the 10-year statute of limitations for habitual charges.

The law, named for Bellaire High School senior Heidi Steiner who was killed by a habitual drunk driver, was being challenged by two defendants claiming it violated their rights. In December, the Michigan Supreme Court affirmed that Heidi’s Law did not go against either state or federal Constitutions.

“It has been a long process to complete something that is simple, common sense,” said Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin. “It’s unfortunate that the Steiners, and all families who have suffered tragedy because of drunken driving, have had to wait so long to see that justice will be properly served.”

Allen agreed that the law change was necessary to help grieving families. “Families can now take a little bit of comfort knowing that habitual drunk drivers will not get an automatic clean slate just because a few years have gone by,” Allen said. “This doesn’t in any way replace the loss of a loved one, but it will help keep repeat offenders from possibly causing more grief.”

Elsenheimer brought the issue to Lansing based on an Antrim County case that because of the statute of limitations saw a convicted drunk driver charged with a misdemeanor first offense crime although it was his third offense. Until the previous year, the man was in prison for numerous drunken driving offenses, including hitting and killing Steiner.

The new law eliminates the current 10-year statute of limitations between first and third, or subsequent, felony drunk or drugged driving offenses, allowing a third offense to be charged as a felony regardless of the time period they are committed.

A companion bill introduced by Allen made it law for the Secretary of State to maintain driver records for the lifetime of the offender. Previously, the department was required to maintain the records for only 10 years.

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.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ELSENHEIMER INVITES THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND AN ECONOMIC FORUM IN CENTRAL LAKE ON APRIL 15

House Republican leader Elsenheimer invites the public to attend an economic forum in Central Lake on April 15.

ECONOMIC FORUM IN WORKS FOR CENTRAL LAKE

Senator Jason Allen and Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer are bringing state and regional experts to meet with community leaders in Central Lake on April 15 at 6:00 p.m.to discuss options and opportunities as northwest Michigan continues to grapple with a struggling economy.

The public meeting will be in the cafeteria of Central Lake High School, 8190 West State Street.

Tremendous economic difficulties are hitting area companies like Barnes Precision and Second Chance. Their workers and other local residents deserve as much information as possible, according to the lawmakers organizing the event.

"Transitions may be filled with opportunities, but they are extremely hard to navigate," said Allen, who chairs the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. "There are no easy answers, but these experts can help workers and job providers strategize for the future as they attempt to rebuild their lives."

The free forum has invited representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Michigan Works. There will also be staffers from local family health centers and resource centers.

"Residents and community leaders can come to learn more about what resources are available," said Elsenheimer. "Individual workers and their families, as well as the community, region and state, all have a stake in establishing a direction that will lead to a better future for people in this area."

For more information about the meeting, contact Sen. Allen’s office at 1-866-525-5637 or Elsenheimer’s office at 1-877-536-4105.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE PLAN INTRODUCED: Overdoses spur House legislation for narcotic safety, investigation.

A rash of prescription drug overdose deaths in Michigan, including three in the last year, has caught the attention of the Michigan House, which today announced a plan aimed at halting “doctor shopping” and other abuses of legal narcotics.

“It’s important that patients get the medicine they need while having protections in place to keep the drugs out of the wrong hands,” said House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Kewadin. “Health care professionals, hospitals and law enforcement must be able to work together with patients to develop a safety net that can monitor the flow of narcotics in Michigan so they are used for the intended purpose of saving lives, not ending them.”

Elsenheimer began working on the multi-bill package when northern Michigan sheriffs spotted a growing trend of prescription drug abuse, including the loss of lives through overdoses when people would “shop” from doctor to doctor for prescriptions of strong narcotics they could then either sell illegally or use themselves.

“Prescription drug abuse is a danger to people of all ages, no matter where they live,” said Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, who will work on the bill package in the Senate. “Improving Michigan’s monitoring system and allowing health professionals and the police to work together will help enhance safety and peace of mind.”

While still in the development stage, the main sections of the prescription drug abuse package would:
· Require patient proof of identity when visiting the doctor or pharmacy;
· Upgrade the state’s prescription narcotics database to a real-time tracking model;
· Allow law enforcement agencies to access the database;
· Require hospitals to report suspected drug-related incidents to law enforcement, such is already done with dog bites and suspected domestic and child abuse cases; and
· Increase jail penalties for prescription drug abuses/illegally selling, including stricter probation terms regarding access to narcotic medicine.

Elsenheimer expects the draft bills to be finalized and introduced in the House within the next several weeks and be working to include bipartisan sponsorship of the package.

WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

In this Issue:
● FYI Notes
● Economic Forum in Central Lake
● Program, tips offered for struggling homeowners
● Video Update
● New Media: New ways to keep in touch with me online
● Bi-Weekly Survey
● DNR Announces Series of Statewide Town Hall Meetings
● Is there a heart sticker on your driver's license or state ID?
● 2008 Income Tax forms 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 3, 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.

How to contact my office
Mail: P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909E-mail: kevinelsenheimer@house.mi.gov Toll-Free: 1-877-536-4105Phone: (517) 373-0829Fax: (517) 373-1841
Web site: www.gophouse.com/elsenheimer.htm

Economic Forum in Central Lake
Senator Jason Allen and I are bringing state and regional experts to meet with community leaders in Central Lake on April 15 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss options and opportunities as northwest Michigan continues to grapple with a struggling economy.

The public meeting will be in the cafeteria of Central Lake High School, 8190 West State Street.

Tremendous economic difficulties are hitting area companies like Barnes Precision and Second Chance. The workers and other local residents deserve as much information as possible.

The free forum has invited representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Michigan Works. There will also be staffers from local family health centers and resource centers.

For more information about the meeting, contact Sen. Allen’s office at 1-866-525-5637 or my office at 1-877-536-4105.

Programs, tips offered for struggling homeowners
Northern Michigan homeowners at risk of entering mortgage foreclosure can turn to a number of local, state, and federal sources for various levels of assistance, including some programs that have been specifically created to help people struggling in the economic recession. Losing one's home in a mortgage foreclosure can be devastating to a family, as their daily lives and financial history are thrown into an upheaval that can take years to recover from. Often that scary situation can be avoided, if homeowners, lenders, and other experts are brought together early enough to develop common-sense solutions to keep people in their homes. It’s important now more than ever for people at risk of losing their homes to reach out for that assistance as soon as they see the slightest hint at possible trouble.

In trying to find possible reforms in mortgage laws, I've learned of several agencies with programs to protect from mortgage foreclosure. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority has created the Save the Dream Campaign, which includes helpful information that assists homeowners experiencing financial difficulties or facing foreclosure. The authority also has a statewide network of homeownership counselors, a second mortgage program to assist current MSHDA borrowers, and refinance programs available to eligible homeowners. The program is available online at http://www.michigan.gov/mshda by clicking on the Save the Dream link.

Homeowners also can contact HOPENOW, a federal non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeowners avoid foreclosures at 1-888-995-HOPE, or online at http://www.hopenow.com/.

Other tips offered to successful mortgage management:
· Don’t ignore the issue. Open and respond to all mail from your lender and ask questions. Remember, the lender’s goal is a successful mortgage relationship.
· If you believe there may be a problem making timely payments, talk to your lender and/or contact a HUD-approved housing counselor at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm.
· Be aware of foreclosure recovery scams. If a company says it can stop a foreclosure immediately if you sign your title over to them, it’s likely to be a scam.


Video Update
Please click on the link below to hear some tips and suggestions for individuals struggling with home foreclosure situations:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpE8BnnrFw4


New Media: New ways to keep in touch with me online
I'm pleased to announce that I have embraced the idea of new media and now have multiple places online where we might now stay in touch. First, I have a blog: Elsenheimer's Lansing Newsreel at http://staterepkevinelsenheimer.blogspot.com/. This site provides the latest news about what is happening in the Legislature, Lansing and northern Michigan.

I also have joined Twitter and you can follow me at http://twitter.com/teamkevin. This is an interesting, up-to-the-minute method of keeping in touch with others. I'm new to this and will do my best to "tweet" often.

Also, as I've mentioned before, you can also check out other online multimedia at my online office by visiting http://www.gophouse.com/multimedia.asp?District=105 and clicking on the various links.

I hope you will take advantage of these new means for me to stay in touch with you and keep you informed of my day-to-day activities in the Legislature.


Bi-Weekly Survey
As we move forward with the budget, one of the main concerns is the use of the Federal Stimulus Package. I want to know your opinion on the use of the stimulus money and if we should, as a state, use it to cover the impending shortfalls in the state budgets. Please click on the link below for a quick two- question survey.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228ZTK8DFFU


DNR Announces Series of Statewide Town Hall Meetings
The Department of Natural Resources will host a series of public meetings across the state in April to discuss conservation priorities for the department and the state of Michigan. The Conservation Town Hall meetings will be led by DNR Director Rebecca Humphries, with the assistance of the Michigan State University Extension Service.

All the meetings will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meetings are scheduled for:

Monday, April 6 at the Prince Conference Center Great Hall at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, located at 1800 E. Beltline SE;
Wednesday, April 8 in Rooms 100 A-B-C at Davenport University in Midland, located at 3555 E. Patrick Road;
Monday, April 13 in the Michigan Room of the Bottum University Center at Northern Michigan University, located at 540 W. Kaye Avenue in Marquette;
Tuesday, April 14 in the meeting room of the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, located at 1213 W. Civic Center Drive in Traverse City; and
Monday, April 20 in the banquet room of the Novi Civic Center, located at 45175 W. 10 Mile Road in Novi.

Among the topics Director Humphries will discuss with participants are the role of the DNR in natural resources management, land management, how best to recruit new outdoor enthusiasts, the priorities for the future, and what citizens value the most about their outdoor activities in Michigan. Director Humphries encourages anyone interested in outdoor recreation and natural resources to attend the public meeting including hunters, anglers, trail riders, campers, boaters, mountain bikers, hikers, birdwatchers, and representatives from resource-based industries.

Is there a heart sticker on your driver's license or state ID?
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land recently announced that the Department of State, Gift of Life Michigan and Michigan Eye-Bank are ready to kick off their annual organ, tissue and eye donor campaign this month. The above question forms the crux of this year's campaign, which encourages residents to "show their hearts" by adding their names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Those who have already signed up received a donor sticker with a heart logo for the front of their license. There are currently 1.5 million names on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry - about 15 percent of Michigan's population.

Gift of Life Michigan is the state's federally certified, full-service organ recovery organization. The agency acts as an intermediary between donors, physicians, hospital staff and transplant centers. For more information about organ and tissue donation, contact Gift of Life Michigan at (800) 482-4881 or www.giftoflifemichigan.org.

The Michigan Eye-Bank's mission is the restoration of sight. It recovers, evaluates and distributes corneas for transplantation, supports eye and vision research, and offers public and professional education on the importance of eye, organ, and tissue donation. To learn more, call (800) 247-7250 or visit the organization's Web site at www.michiganeyebank.org.

For more information about the department's organ donation initiatives, visit its Web site at www.michigan.gov/sos.

2008 Income Tax forms now available
State of Michigan forms can be accessed online at www.mi.gov/treasury. Select 'Income Tax Forms' from the Forms drop-down menu. Federal tax forms can be accessed at http://www.irs.gov/.