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Legislative Watch

Grants announced to help agencies cover blackout costs.

Assisted Livint; Gom '',3,500 per month

introduced a bill establishing an official
Holocaust Remembrance Day and
• In' the wake of the August blackout,
Remembrance Week.
Federal Emergency Management
If passed, the bill would encourage
Agency (FEMA) announced that funds
individuals, educational institutions and
would be provided to reimburse non-
social, community, religious, labor and
profit agencies for the costs of emer-
business organizations to pause on these
gency measures taken to save lives, pro-
dates and reflect upon the Holocaust.
tect property and insure public health
The
bill passed the House and has been
and safety during the period of Aug. 14-
referred
to the Senate Committee on
17.
•
Local,
Urban
and State Affairs.
FEMA has announced that JARC will
• Rep. Shelley Taub, R-Bloomfield
receive $10,280 and Kadima $5,000. In
Hills, a member of the House
addition, Jewish Apartments & Services
Appropriations Committee spent her
will receive an undetermined sum. This
last days of the 2003 session beginning
funding will ensure that JARC, Kadima
work
on the budget for fiscal year 2004-
and JAS will not need to tap reserve
2005.
Rep. Taub had two bills become
funds or money from their operating
law during the 2003 legislative session:
budget to pay for these signifi-
an amendment to the Principal
cant, unexpected costs of the
Shopping District Act, which
blackout.
allows Oakland County commu-
• Recently, "Dear Colleague"
nities to form a special zone to
letters were circulated in the
enhance and update the Orchard
U.S. House and Senate calling
Lake Corridor, and the Notary
for an increase in funding for
Public Act, which provides for
senior transportation, one of the
licensing and regulations for
top priorities of the Jewish com- Shulma n
notary publics.
munity.
-
• Sen. Gilda Jacobs, D-
Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal
Huntington
Woods, and Rep.
Oak, and Michigan's
Andy
Meisner,
D-Ferndale, have
Democratic Sens. Carl Levin
been
appointed
by Gov. Jennifer
and Debbie Stabenow signed
Granholm to serve on the newly
the "Dear Colleague" letter,
created Mental Health
showing their commitment to
Commission. Established within
providing additional funding for
the Department of Community
needed senior transportation.
Health, • the advisory commission
This funding increase is vital in
has been directed to make rec-
ensuring that our country's
ommendations for a more user-
growing number of seniors are
friendly mental health system,
able to cage in place" for as long
which ensures timely access to
as possible, rather than living in
care and fosters quality and
an assisted living facility or nurs-
er
Meisn
excellence in service delivery.
ing home. Providing services for
• Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi, D-
the elderly has proven to be much less
Farmington
Hills, has drafted a resolu-
expensive than forcing seniors — who
tion celebrating the Jewish holiday of
could otherwise live on their own, if
Chanukah and honoring Jewish families
such services were provided — into
in Michigan.
assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
'As Jewish families celebrate
Chanukah,
we should all remember the
Lansing
strength
and
discipline that faith offers
•The Michigan Legislature ended its
each of our lives and the lives of others,"
2003 session narrowly resolving the
he said. "I am pleased to honor Jewish
$920 million deficit in the state's 2003-
families not only during this holiday, but
2004 budget. Due to projected revenue
throughout the year as well. Their con-
shortfalls, the budget, which just went
tributions to our culture, our communi-
into effect Oct. 1, 2003, was already
ty and our country are worthy of our
$920 million short. After days of tense
respect and praise." ❑
negotiations, the governor and the legis-
lature finally agreed on a plan to resolve
Compiled by Eric Adelman of the Jewish
this year's fiscal crisis.
Community Council and Susan Herman
• House Appropriations Chairman
from the Michigan Jewish Conference.
Marc Shulman, R-West Bloomfield,

Washington

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12/26
2003

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