Dear Neighbor,
I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having this week. The state legislature returned to session and is gearing up to begin negotiating next year’s state budget. As always, I remain committed to advocating for funding in the areas our community needs it most.
Featured in this newsletter:
- April 2023 is Arab American Heritage and Chaldean-American Month
- AG Nessel and Michigan State Police issue warning on the dangers of cryptocurrency and bitcoin scams
- State of Michigan announces largest investment in state history to eliminate blight!
- Detroit launches Downpayment Assistance program with 13 lenders ready to help more Detroiters become homeowners
- Call MISS DIG 811 before you start a job that involves digging.
- Gear up for spring fishing by getting your 2023 fishing license
If you have any other questions, want to comment on pending legislation, or resolve any issues in state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-8360 or by email at SenPWojno@senate.michigan.gov.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 10
April 2023 is Arab American Heritage and Chaldean-American Month
The month of April celebrates Arab American Heritage and Chaldean-American Month to commemorate the valuable contributions that Middle Eastern Americans have made to virtually every aspect of American society in medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, culture, and more. Middle Eastern Americans have also enriched our society by sharing in the entrepreneurial American spirit that makes our nation free and prosperous.
AG Nessel and Michigan State Police issue warning on the dangers of cryptocurrency and bitcoin scams
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan State Police (MSP) Cyber Section have teamed up to make the public aware of the dangers of cryptocurrency scams. Older and vulnerable adults are often the targets of fraudsters using crypto scams, but anyone can be victimized.
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are the most common types of cryptocurrencies, but there are thousands of types. Cryptocurrency can be purchased online via a cryptocurrency exchange or with cash at Crypto Kiosks or Bitcoin ATMs. Cryptocurrency is not illegal, but scammers often take advantage of cryptocurrency and use it as a tool to steal from others.
Nessel and the Michigan State Police say that Michiganders should be wary if anyone tells you to go to the bank or credit union and:
- Withdraw cash at a different branch than you would normally use,
- Lie to the branch tellers about the reason you are withdrawing money, or
- Leave a cell phone call “open,” or keep a phone call going by leaving your cell phone in a pocket or purse, so that the caller can give you further instructions after you have withdrawn cash at a bank or ATM.
Legitimate cryptocurrency investment opportunities will not come from people you do not know sending offers to invest by sending money using Facebook or other social media platforms said Nessel. Be cautious about any investment opportunities requiring the use of a specific website, as “cryptocurrency investment” gains can easily be faked by anyone who can design their own website.
For more information about popular consumer scams, or if you believe you’ve been a victim, residents can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team Monday-Friday at 877-765-8388 or complete the Department of Attorney General’s online complaint form.
State of Michigan announces largest investment in state history to eliminate blight!
At the beginning of March, Governor Whitmer signed a bipartisan supplemental bill that paves the way for more affordable housing, revitalization of communities, and support for the elimination of blight in Michigan. This act includes $75 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), nearly half of the total investment. This money will be invested in the demolition of abandoned buildings and the building of reasonably priced housing, new local businesses, and even landmark community establishments. Ultimately, this $150 million investment is the largest ever made to eliminate blight in the State. This includes a pledge of $10 million in allocated funds from the FY 2024 budget to address specific projects in Detroit, Marquette, Ionia, Three Rivers, and more statewide.
However, this big change requires time, and the $75 million ARPA funds going towards blight elimination will be rolling out over the next two to three years. Land banks are essential in these processes because partnering with them for residential renovation projects is mutually beneficial. Local land banks especially are encouraged to participate in the planning process to best identify the structures and opportunities where these funds can best be utilized. The State Land Bank also will release The Request for Proposals (RFP) for round two of the Blight Elimination Program in April of this year!
Never has the elimination of blight in Michigan received this large an investment. Although making progress in our fight against blight is slow but steady, this record-breaking legislation against blight in Michigan, backed by a substantial investment, is sure to bring real change.
Detroit launches Downpayment Assistance program with 13 lenders ready to help more Detroiters become homeowners
Mayor Mike Duggan, City Council members and the Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department announced a landmark program today that will provide Detroiters who do not currently own a home with up to $25,000 in downpayment assistance to help them realize the American dream of homeownership.
The program is available to lower-income earners who may be able to afford a monthly mortgage payment but don’t have enough savings for a downpayment. For a single person to qualify, for example, they would have to earn less than $41,000 per year.
The mayor and council members laid out three steps for Detroiters to follow to take advantage of the program.
- Find a lender from among the 13 partner organizations in the program. The participating lenders are Bank of America, Chase, CIBC, Citizens, Fifth Third Bank, First Independence Bank, First Merchants Bank, Flagstar Bank, Huntington Bank, Independent Bank, Liberty Bank, PNC Bank, and Rocket Mortgage.
- Find a house you want to buy.
- Apply to the program at www.detroitdpa.org.
The Downpayment Assistance Program is geared primarily toward renters, but also is available to those who lost their home to foreclosure in 2010-16 and are attempting to purchase a new one. The program will be overseen by the Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department and implemented by National Faith Homebuyers, a Detroit-based nonprofit that since 1996 has assisted metro Detroiters in buying a house or staying in their homes, including down-payment assistance, first-time homebuyer counseling, and financial literacy programs.
To learn more about program details and eligibility requirements and to apply, go to www.detroitdpa.org or call (313) 244-0274. The National Faith Home Buyers team can assist residents with detailed questions and assistance with completing the DPA application.
Call MISS DIG 811 before you start a job that involves digging.
With spring’s arrival and construction season kicking off, Michiganders may be thinking about improvements around their homes. But before you put a shovel in the ground, you can help keep your household and your neighbors safe by doing what everyone should do before they begin a project that involves digging, call MISS DIG 811 to have underground utilities marked in advance to prevent damage and potentially deadly consequences.
Calling MISS DIG 811 is free and ensures buried gas, electric, water and sewer, phone and other underground utilities are clearly marked before digging projects begin.
Call 811 at least three days before digging or fill out a request online at www.MISSDIG811.org. Trained workers from utility companies will be sent to job sites to mark the location of utilities with spray paint or flags. Anyone planning to dig is asked not to do so until utilities are marked, and to carefully dig by hand in the designated utility area.
More information is available in the MPSC’s tip sheet on MISS DIG 811 and safe digging.
Gear up for spring fishing by getting your 2023 fishing license
The new fishing license and regulation season kicked off April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new license in order to enjoy Michigan’s great fishing opportunities. The 2023 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2024.
Fishing licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or by downloading the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app and purchasing via the app.
The 2023 Michigan Fishing Guide and Inland Trout & Salmon Maps are available online along with a lot of other helpful fishing information – including fishing locations, species identification, and tips for beginners – at Michigan.gov/Fishing.