Rep. Fred Durhal Jr.s' Site Feed

Detroit Democratic Caucus Announces Auto No-Fault Bills

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:38:00 -0400

Detroit Democratic Caucus Chairman Representative Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit), joined by Detroit Democratic Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit) announced their own auto no-fault reform package that would save Michigan residents money while fighting fraud and demanding transparency from the insurance industry.

Detroit Democratic Caucus Announces Auto No-Fault Bills

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:44:00 -0400

DETROIT - Detroit Democratic Caucus Chairman Representative Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit), joined by Detroit Democratic Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit) announced their own auto no-fault reform package that would save Michigan residents money while fighting fraud and demanding transparency from the insurance industry. The legislators announced their legislative package at a Detroit press conference where they were joined by local church leaders and Detroit residents.

“Michigan’s auto insurance policies are completely broken,” said Stallworth. The fact that 30 percent of Michigan drivers and 60 percent of Detroit drivers are uninsured when combined with the fact that Michigan’s auto insurance industry is the second most profitable in the nation is a clear indication that rates are excessive.”

Detroiters pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation.

The Detroit Democratic Auto No-Fault Package would:

Restructure the board with public interests instead of insurance interests. Create a commission to track fraud, waste and abuse. Collect the MCCA assessment at the Secretary of State instead of through insurance companies. (Cavanagh)
Require insurance companies to justify rate increases before they’re imposed on drivers and stipulate that 80 percent of premiums collected must be spent on clients. (Stallworth)
Prohibit the consideration of credit history, education and occupation in determining premiums and surcharges. (Tinsley-Talabi)
Allow refunds ordered by a commissioner and allow private parties to sue when auto insurance overcharges their policy holders. (Tlaib)
Disallow steerage to collision shop owned by the insurance company. (Banks)

The Republican-sponsored no-fault bill, which was recently voted out of committee with no Democratic votes, would offer a savings of $125 per vehicle that is only guaranteed for one year. That bill would also eliminate unlimited medical benefits for the most seriously injured accident victims and, instead, cap those benefits at $1 million. The Republican bill dissolves the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) after it has paid out its final claim, and creates the new Michigan Catastrophic Claims Corp (MCCC) to collect a fee from auto owners and handle new claims when the bill becomes law. The MCCA will still collect an annual fee from drivers to cover a $2 billion deficit they claim.

“Drivers are tired of paying high premium yet want to keep the benefits they are currently receiving from our auto no-fault system. Replacing the MCCA with the MCCC and capping everything for a guaranteed one-year savings of $125 is not helping anyone but the insurance companies,” said Cavanagh. “Gutting the system is not reform. We looked into every aspect included in a no-fault policy to see where real changes resulting in real savings could be made.”

“With the proposed changes to Michigan’s Auto No-Fault system affecting every driver in the state of Michigan, we looked at the entire picture to come up with reform that would result in actual savings without hacking up the system,” said Banks.

“The unfortunate situation, in many cases, is that a car insurance premium is often higher than the value of the car,” said Tlaib.” Making auto insurance more affordable throughout Michigan, but particularly in urban regions, should be one of the state’s top priorities.

The Detroit Democratic Caucus will also host an Auto No-Fault Reform Town Hall Meeting to discuss proposed changes to the system and how that will affect every driver tonight, Monday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Salem Memorial Lutheran Church, 21230 Moross Road at Chester in Detroit.

###

Statement from State Representative Fred Durhal Jr. on returning increased state revenues to cities:

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:18:58 -0400

“We learned today that Michigan can expect more than $482 million more combined in General Fund and School Aid Fund revenues this year, and more than $219 million combined in Fiscal Year 2014. The general fund revenues need to go back to our cities so they can provide the basic services, such as trash pickup and police and fire protection, to residents. Detroit especially has suffered from all of the revenue-sharing cuts that have happened over the past two years under Gov. Rick Snyder. If the governor wants to put this money in the state’s rainy day fund, then I would tell him that it’s already ‘raining’ in our cities and we can stop the rain by investing this money back into our communities to make them livable for residents.”

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Detroit Reps

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:40:06 -0400

DETROIT - State Representative and Detroit Caucus Chairman Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Reps. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“??As the father of two daughters, I am passionate about addressing health issues and inequities that affect women,” said Stallworth. “I applaud the efforts of my female colleagues in leading the male dominated House on these issues and we should listen to what they have to say.”

“I understand what many of the women in my district are talking about when they explain how hard it is for them and their daughters when they need health care, or even just information,” said Tinsley-Talabi. “These bills will address and solve the inequities that exist and make it hard for women to get services, and will also start early to educate our sons and daughters with age-appropriate information.”

The package of legislation includes:

House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
HR 138, urging the DCH to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)
HR 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)
House Bill 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)
HB 4722, which directs the Department of Community Health (DCH) to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)
HB 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)
HB 4260, requiring doctors to give information on breast density and give notice to women who have dense breast tissue that they may want to seek further testing (Rep. Winnie Brinks)

“As a young mom, I saw firsthand how difficult it is to access proper health care services and prevention services,” said Tlaib. “Women deserve fair opportunities to be healthy and current unnecessary barriers have led to health care problems among our mothers, daughters, nieces and grandmothers. They deserve better.”

“These are common-sense bills that will improve women’s lives, and especially help our daughters so that they have better access to health care throughout their lives,” said Durhal.

Detroit Caucus Hosts Auto No-Fault Town Hall to Discuss Harmful Changes Proposed in Republican Bill

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:43:08 -0400

DETROIT - Detroit Caucus Chairman Rep. Thomas F. Stallworth III and Detroit Caucus members Reps. Brian Banks (D- Grosse Pointe Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) will hold a town hall on the proposed changes to Michigan’s auto no-fault law on Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Northwest Activity Center, 18100 Meyers at Curtis in Detroit. The proposed legislation would significantly alter Michigan’s current no-fault insurance system and would, among other changes, cap injury benefits at $1 million for accident victims. This event is free and open to the public.

WHO:Detroit Caucus Chairman Rep. Thomas F. Stallworth III and Detroit Caucus members Reps. Brian Banks (D-Grosse Pointe Woods), Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford), Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit), David Nathan (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit), Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and Rashida H. Tlaib (D-Detroit)

WHERE:Northwest Activity Center

18100 Meyers at Curtis

Detroit

WHEN:Thursday, May 9, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Rep. Fred Durhal Speaks on Funding for Meals on Wheels and Michigan Strategic Fund Amendments

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:28:42 -0400

Rep. Fred Durhal speaks on various budget amendments including funding for Meals on Wheels, earmarks for business incubators, and Small Business Technology Research Development Centers.

Rep. Durhal Introduces Plan for Middle-Class Tax Relief

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

DETROIT — State Representative Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) announced today the House Democrats’ plan for middle-class tax relief. The bills, based on Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, are focused on restoring tax credits and deductions to middle-class families and repealing taxes on retirees. Legislation included in the plan will relieve the tax burden on Michigan families when next year’s tax season rolls around.

“Today is the day many Michiganders will feel the pain of the tax increases that took effect last year,” Durhal said. “Forcing families and seniors to pay more in taxes isn’t right for Michigan, and that’s why we’re introducing these proposals.”

Last session, the Republican-led Legislature made severe changes to the Michigan tax code punishing middle-class families and seniors, including imposing a tax on retirement income, eliminating the Homestead Property Tax Credit for many families, a drastic cut to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the elimination of the $600 per-child tax deduction and tax credits for charitable donations. These changes were made to fund nearly $2 billion in tax breaks for big corporations, effectively making Michigan’s low-income and middle-class families pay for a handout to big corporations. The new taxes took effect in 2012, and many taxpayers became aware of them for the first time as they filed their state income taxes this year.

“Budgets are tight for families across Michigan, and many of those families plan on a tax refund at this time of the year,” Durhal said. “Instead, those families are seeing a reduced refund, or perhaps no refund at all.”

Over the past two months, Democratic state representatives heard the concerns of struggling Michiganders during their Real State of Our State Listening Tour. After the tour’s completion, legislators used this feedback to construct Michigan’s Middle-Class Plan, including the following tax initiatives:

Repeal the new tax on senior retirement income
Require employers to inform employees about the Earned Income Tax Credit
Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to 11 percent in the first year
Restore the Homestead Property Tax Credit
Restore the child deduction

Along with these initiatives, the House Democrats pledge to continue fighting against tax increases on the middle class and seniors every time a new, harmful tax is introduced to the Legislature, and to keep Michigan taxpayers aware of the changes through a series of town halls held across the state.

“At every stop on the Listening Tour, people talked about these burdensome new taxes. Now, we’re taking action,” Durhal said. “My colleagues and I will fight to get these bills passed and give needed tax relief to Michigan’s families and seniors.”

Durhal Files Lawsuit Against Snyder Over Bridge Power-Grab

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

LANSING — State Representative Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) announced today he has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Rick Snyder for circumventing the Legislature in his agreement with Canadian officials on the New International Trade Crossing (NITC). The lawsuit seeks to withdraw the presidential permit application to build the bridge and declare Snyder’s agreement void.

“When Gov. Snyder took the bridge proposal to the Legislature, even members of his own party wouldn’t pass it. Now the governor is trying to go through the side door,” Durhal said. “This lawsuit seeks to uphold the separation of powers and prevent an executive overreach, just as the checks and balances of the Constitution intended.”

The lawsuit — filed in Ingham County Circuit Court and now before Judge Joyce Draganchuk — alleges that Snyder’s agreement with Canada violates four Michigan laws: Public Act 192 of 2010, PA 63 of 2011, PA 200 of 2012 and PA 236 of 2012. The lawsuit also claims that the governor cannot enter into a contract with a foreign power without legislative approval.

“There are still concerns about Michigan taxpayers picking up the bill for any cost overruns on bridge construction,” Durhal said. “This body - the Michigan Legislature - is the people’s house, and we should not allow the governor to move forward with this bridge without the people’s representatives getting their say.”

Rep. Durhal Fights Unreasonable Requirements For State Civil Rights Department

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:24:51 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Fred Durhal (D-Detroit) today offered amendments to strike onerous reporting requirements and restore funding to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Durhal is the minority vice chairman of the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee.

“To my dismay, the Civil Rights budget saw a cut more than $556,000 from operations for a department that does the important job of protecting Michigan citizens from discrimination in all its forms,” said Durhal. “I fear that these excessive reporting requirements will pull employees away from their investigations and that will subject our citizens to unnecessary delays. We are also forcing these reporting requirements on the department as we are cutting their budget and limiting their resources, which will make investigations even harder to conduct.”

Durhal’s amendments would have restored funding to the level that was recommended by the governor in his budget request. A second amendment would have removed an onerous reporting requirement that would require detailed reporting on department operations including detailed descriptions of all subunits including each full-time employee (FTE) position associated with each subunit, responsibilities of each subunit, all revenues and expenditures from each subunit, the number of complaints by type of complaint and other reporting requirements, as well as a listing of complaint investigations closed per FTE positions for the past five years. A third amendment would strike a requirement that the department notify the State Budget Office, the Senate and House of Representatives standing committees on Appropriations, and the Senate and House Fiscal Agencies before submitting a report or complaint to the United States Commission on Civil Rights or other federal departments.

“Our Department of Civil Rights has a big job to do and an important job to do. We need to give them the support they need and not try to block their efforts and work with unnecessary and burdensome reporting requirements,” said Durhal. “??In the recent past, the majority party had prided itself on being responsible with taxpayer dollars, and yet they are increasing excessive paperwork for department employees that will slow down the department’s work, cost money and add little or no value to the investigations that are the real work that needs to be done.”