IronwoodInfo News Magazine

Michigan Identifies Six New Cases of Influenza
For Immediate Release: May 1, 2009 Michigan Identifies Six New Probable Cases of Influenza A (H1N1) Virus LANSING, Mich. - The State of Michigan today announced that it has identified six new probable cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Ottawa County. These new probable cases will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine if they are positive. The state laboratory continues to test other suspected cases. To date, the CDC has confirmed two cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus in Michigan - one in Livingston County and one in Ottawa County. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and Joint Information Center (JIC) continue to operate under partial activation. Over the past several days, Michigan has taken several steps in response to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus outbreak across the country. Some of the actions include: * The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is ensuring the state has adequate medication for those most in need. The MDCH received one partial shipment of the strategic national stockpile on April 28; * The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) has been monitoring the viral outbreak situation since the first notice occurred on April 24; * The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was partially activated on April 27; the Joint Information Center (JIC) was activated on April 28; * The MDCH is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health officials in Livingston and Ottawa counties; * The MDCH is continuing to initially process potential specimens and is working with the CDC to determine specific strains of the virus in those specimens; * The MDCH Community Health Emergency Coordination Center (CHECC) has been fully activated to collect and analyze public health information from local partners and provide updated information; * The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) continues to work with the United States Department of Agriculture requesting that all state veterinarians report to the USDA Veterinary Services any cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in live animals; * The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) informed medical waste haulers to review the CDC Web site and take precautionary measures for handling, transporting and treating waste; * The State of Michigan has developed a central Web site for Michigan H1N1 information at the following address: www.michigan.gov/swineflu. The Michigan Department of Community Health is advising citizens to review the common-sense steps everyone can take right now, including: * Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; * Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it; * Try to avoid close contact with individuals who appear sick; * Stay home from school or work if you are sick; * Keep a safe distance from all people you come in contact with, a behavior called social-distancing. Additionally, citizens can call the Michigan 2-1-1 public information line regarding this outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Michigan 2-1-1, sponsored by the Michigan Association of United Ways, is available 24-hours per day, seven days per week. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) reminds citizens that Influenza A (H1N1) virus is not currently affecting animal health. To date, there are no reports of this strain in U.S. swine herds. In addition, this is not a food safety issue; pork is safe to eat and there is no evidence people can contract this illness from eating cooked pork. Citizens should continue to properly handle pork and pork products and cook pork to an internal temperature of 160°F, which kills any potential viruses. All updates to provide Michigan residents with accurate and timely information on the human outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, as well as updates on the state's actions to protect residents, are available at www.michigan.gov/swineflu. # # # NOTE: ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES ARE BEING HANDLED BY THE JOINT INFORMATION CENTER AT 888-EMD-TODAY (888-363-8632). Copyright © 2009 State of Michigan


www.michigan.gov (To Print: use your browser's print function)	Release Date: April 29, 2009 Last Update: April 29, 2009
Contact: Communications Director 517-373-0011
Agency: State Housing Development Authority
Governor Granholm, MSHDA Announce Over $7.5 Million for 15 Michigan Entitlement Cities Two additional cities slated to receive funds for housing redevelopment, blight elimination.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2009 Governor Granholm, MSHDA Announce Over $7.5 Million for 15 Michigan Entitlement Cities Two additional cities slated to receive funds for housing redevelopment, blight elimination LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm together with Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Keith Molin today announced over $7.5 million in grants to be distributed to 15 cities across the state through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The grants are the first round of NSP funding in Michigan that could total as much as $22 million over the next six to nine months. This initial funding will support the redevelopment of 116 residential units and the demolition of 276 blighted units throughout the state. "These funds are going to help us improve communities across the state and create jobs in the process," Granholm said. "We are pleased to make these grants available in record time so we can restore vibrancy and energy to Michigan's economy and our cities." According to Molin, 15 cities are slated to receive funds immediately with two more close behind. The 15 include Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Livonia, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Port Huron, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, and Wyoming. Awards also will be distributed to the cities of Dearborn Heights and Farmington Hills upon completion of a review soon to be completed. "These federal funds could not have come at a better time," Molin said. "We have expedited the funding because these cities all have strong municipal housing and community development programs, effective delivery systems and immediate need." Molin pointed out that timing is critical because foreclosures and abandonment are threatening the property values of other community residents. "Not only are foreclosures bringing down property values and creating blight, but many of these homes have been abandoned and are actually posing a serious threat to the surrounding neighborhoods, Molin explained." "The improvements planned with the NSP funds can't help but breathe new life into these cities and prosperity will start to grow and thrive," Molin said. "The 'sense of place' that develops is key to Michigan's ability to retain and attract that much-needed young knowledge worker of the future." MSHDA also anticipates that additional grant allocations to other communities, nonprofits and developers will be made in the very near future. "Our vision is the improvement of the quality of life for all Michigan residents and the creation of vibrant communities across the state with safe and affordable housing through both homeownership and rental programs," said Gov. Granholm. MSHDA is a quasi-state agency that provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in building vibrant cities and neighborhoods, and address homeless issues. MSHDA's loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds and notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. For more information on MSHDA programs, including the Save the Dream initiative, visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda. ### Please note: The list of cities, award amounts and contacts for more localized information and project details are available. Click Here
Copyright © 2009 State of Michigan

Michigan accepting
marijuana applications

DETROIT, April 7 -- The state of Michigan has started accepting application for medical marijuana from residents with debilitating illnesses, officials said Monday.

Michigan is the 13th state to legalize the use of medical marijuana, the Detroit News reported.

The Michigan Department of Community Health said it can take up to 15 days to review an application, which must include a form from a Michigan-licensed doctor certifying that a patient suffers from a qualifying medical condition. It can take another five days to issue a picture ID card.

Qualifying conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Crohn's disease, the newspaper said.

Stabenow: Senate Passes Budget, Invests in America’s Future
Focuses on jobs, energy independence, health care, and education
WASHINGTON — April 3, 2009 U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced Senate passage of the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution, which includes a number of Senator Stabenow’s priorities that will help create good-paying jobs here at home. Several of these priorities include: expanding on her Green Collar Jobs Initiative to create a Clean Energy Fund; investing in manufacturing and advanced technology; reforming health care; protecting our Great Lakes, and investing in our children’s education. “Just like families gathering around their kitchen tables struggling to write their family budgets, we do not have the luxury of focusing on only one problem at a time,” said Stabenow. “I am pleased this budget addresses the difficult issues facing every American family and focuses on creating good-paying jobs in Michigan and across our country.” Highlights of the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2010 Budget include: Stabenow Green Collar Jobs Initiative Last year, the budget included Senator Stabenow's Green Collar Jobs Initiative to make sure the next generation of technologies and alternative fuel vehicles are made right here in America. This budget continues that initiative with a new Clean Energy Fund to jump-start innovation and to help manufacturers create jobs as we transition to a low-carbon economy. This fund will invest in green energy solutions, like wind, solar, sustainable manufacturing, and advanced technology vehicles to make America a leader in the new green economy. Manufacturing and Advanced Technology Senator Stabenow led the effort to ensure this budget supports America’s manufacturing sector by calling for increased funding for job training, advanced energy technology manufacturing, and the infrastructure needed to support emerging technologies. These investments encompass the key components to create a thriving 21st century green manufacturing sector. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers assist manufacturers with cutting-edge technologies and product innovation to help them thrive in the global economy. This budget includes a Stabenow provision that addresses the need to help American manufacturers and businesses remain competitive in a global marketplace by adopting advanced manufacturing technologies. Michigan’s six MEP centers provide a public-private network of centers that assist small and medium-sized manufacturers throughout the state and have well-established relationships with our colleges and universities. Redeveloping Closed Manufacturing Plants Senator Stabenow secured increased funding for local governments to revitalize closed manufacturing plants. When manufacturers close their doors, they leave communities with sites that are ripe for redevelopment, but face barriers such as contamination, demolition costs, and aging infrastructure. This assistance in the budget will be critical in redeveloping closed plants and brownfields into new facilities that can produce American technology innovation and jobs. Unemployment Insurance This budget allows for the extension of unemployment insurance and includes a Stabenow amendment that would give funding priority to programs that help address unemployment insurance and job training in states and localities with the highest unemployment rates. Great Lakes Funding Recognizing the long-standing environmental problems affecting the Great Lakes, Senator Stabenow led the effort to include a $475 million commitment in this budget to address invasive species, non-point pollution, habitat restoration, and contaminated sediments. Cleaning up the Great Lakes is not just good for the environment, but it will also generate up to $24 billion in long-term economic growth for the Great Lakes region and new, good-paying jobs. Health Care Reform This budget begins to address our national health care crisis by making a down payment on our pledge to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable health care. Taking some of the pressure off our employers would help to immediately stimulate our economy and create new jobs. It also includes a Stabenow provision creating a reserve fund aimed at lowering prescription drug costs in the United States by safely importing FDA-approved medicine from Canada and other industrialized nations. Education This budget would increase access to higher education by providing funding for Pell grants, thus making college more affordable and accessible for millions of Americans. Tax Relief for Middle-Class Families This budget cuts taxes by $825 billion over the next five years. This proposal includes an extension of 2001 and 2003 income tax cuts for taxpayers making under $250,000 each year; AMT relief; estate tax reform; and business tax relief and extenders. Reducing the Deficit This budget proposal would cut the deficit by more than half by 2012, and by two-thirds by 2014. Under this proposal, the deficit will be cut to $601 billion in 2012 and $508 billion by 2014. For more information on the Senate Budget Resolution, please visit www.budget.senate.gov.