Michigan

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Energy delivered $41 million to Michigan through the State Energy Program from funding allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Michigan has now received a total of $82 million through the program to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across the state.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senators Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich, and Carl Levin, D-Mich.., announced today that Michigan and the Great Lakes will receive $88,606,000 in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.    » read more »

Summit one of most important life sciences conferences in world

October 15, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Detroit will host the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit organized by the Genetics Policy Institute.

The conference will take place October 4-6, 2010, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. It will be co-hosted by Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senators Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced today that Michigan and the Great Lakes will receive $88,606,000 in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.    » read more »

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

October 15, 2009 -- "Mr. President, I will vote to approve this conference agreement to provide over $33 billion for a variety of energy and water infrastructure projects and programs. Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, and the funding provided in this conference report to the Army Corps to maintain the navigational infrastructure and to cleanup and protect the Great Lakes is especially important.

Michigan also will benefit from the investments in clean energy technologies and energy efficiency programs provided in this bill that will help create a more sustainable economy while producing quality jobs.    » read more »

State Senate needs to meet constitutional requirement on budget

October 14, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills for the departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, bringing the total number of budget bills she's signed to eight.

"Much work remains to be done on the budget," Granholm said. "The budget does not become law until I sign all of the budget bills. The Senate majority leader needs to deliver to me all the budget bills as required by the constitution.    » read more »

Comments submitted today supporting Recovery Act grant applications

October 14, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced an important step to implement her strategic initiative to expand access to broadband services to citizens and businesses throughout Michigan. On Wednesday, the state submitted comments to the federal government on grant applications proposing to implement or enhance broadband service to Michigan communities.    » read more »

GM is investing more than $230 million in four greater Flint, Mich. plants to support production of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt

2009-10-13 -- FLINT, Mich. - General Motors Company is investing more than $230 million in four GM plants in the greater Flint area to support the production of the fuel-efficient 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, representing more than 500 jobs. The four GM plants include Flint Engine South, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die and Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center.    » read more »

Insurance Industry Reforms Help Families, Small Businesses, Seniors

October 13, 2009 -- WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted in favor of the health insurance industry reform proposal. It passed by a margin of 14 to 9.    » read more »

Governor says Legislature must act to protect police and fire services, K-12 education, Medicaid, Promise scholarships

October 12, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills for the departments of Corrections, Education and Transportation.

"While I have now signed six budget bills, work is far from done on the budget," Granholm said. "The Senate needs to send me the six budgets they are withholding, and both the Senate and the House need to finish their jobs. We must protect police and fire services, K-12 education, Medicaid, and the Promise scholarships, but so far, the Legislature has failed to provide the necessary funding."

Department of Corrections    » read more »

Ongoing streamlining effort abolishes DNR, DEQ; transfers functions to DNRE

October 8, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued Executive Order 2009-45, creating a new Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to protect and conserve Michigan's air, water and other natural resources.

The new department will assume the powers and functions of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which are abolished by the executive order. The order takes effect January 17, 2010.    » read more »

In Radio Address, Governor Says Momentum Continues For Green Manufacturing In State

October 9, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said three solar energy developments this week keep the momentum going for transforming Michigan into a center for green manufacturing.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced the inclusion of $48,243,000 for 18 Michigan projects in the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations conference report which passed the Senate yesterday. This appropriations bill provides funding for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, rural development programs, and related agencies. The bill will now be sent to President Obama for his signature.    » read more »

Rep. Peters’ Measure Would Require Administration to Give Special Consideration to High Unemployment States in Directing Solar Funding

10/07/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gary Peters is pushing to bring new solar energy manufacturing jobs to Michigan and other states hit hardest by the current recession.

Congressman Peters today successfully amended the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, a bill designed to provide comprehensive planning to and authorize funding for solar research and development. Rep. Peters’ amendment would require the Department of Energy to give stronger consideration to projects utilizing solar technologies manufactured in the United States, and to give preference to high unemployment states like Michigan.    » read more »

Commodity Supplemental Food Program currently serves 41,000 in metro Detroit

October 7, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – The House of Representatives approved the annual agriculture appropriations bill today by a vote of 263 to 162. Included in the legislation is an increase in funding, fought for by Rep. Sander Levin, for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), a monthly food delivery service which provides nutritious meals to nearly half a million people across the country.

In the Detroit area, the program is administered by Focus: HOPE, a local non-profit and long-time advocate for the program, which serves 41,000 people in the area, 35,000 of whom are seniors.    » read more »