Dear friend,
Welcome to my e-newsletter. Below are important events and issues that have happened at the State Capitol over the last
two weeks that I would like to share with you.
Plan will Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure
This week, I voted for a plan that would aid struggling homeowners and help keep more Michigan families in their homes. The plan gives homeowners who seek help more time to get back on their feet by offering a 90-day lifeline to residents at risk of foreclosure. The plan passed the House and now moves to the Senate. In this economy, it's very easy to fall behind on paying your mortgage if you've been laid off or you've lost your health insurance, and this plan will help homeowners who have worked hard and played by the rules, but have fallen on hard times.
The plan will create a 90-day reprieve from foreclosure for homeowners who commit to working with their lender and a housing counselor. Counselors are available through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Michigan ranks sixth in the nation for foreclosures, according to RealtyTrac. More than 145,000 properties were in foreclosure in 2008 – a 21 percent increase from 2007 and a 108 percent increase from 2006. In February of this year alone, 12,564 foreclosures were reported in Michigan, 716 of which were in Genesee County. Flint saw 307 properties enter foreclosure in February 2008, by far the most in the county.
Transit Roadshow
On March 6, I hosted the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) Transit Roadshow at the First Presbyterian Church of
Flint. MEC's Roadshows provide a chance for participants to exchange information and begin a dialogue regarding
transportation needs in Michigan. Participants included state and local officials, transit operators, business leaders,
transportation advocates and others.
The Transit Roadshow covered local transportation plans and initiatives, federal transportation policy, state
legislative and administrative events and how they relate to the local area. We had the opportunity to discuss local
transportation issues in light of state legislative efforts, as well as establish contacts with other local leaders
interested in transportation policy. It was a worthwhile event that highlighted the direction Michigan needs to take
regarding our transportation infrastructure.
Gonzales Honored for Work on Behalf of Michigan Transportation
On March 5, I was honored with the Distinguished Service-Highway Industry Award by the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) for working to protect and promote Michigan's county road system. If we are serious about attracting good-paying jobs to Michigan and stimulating our economy, we must invest in our transportation infrastructure system.
The County Road Association of Michigan represents the state's 83 county road agencies, which manage more than 75 percent of all roads in Michigan.
If you have any suggestions for items in the e-newsletter, please e-mail me at leegonzales@house.mi.gov. Please click on the links above to
get more news about my activities here in Lansing. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Lee Gonzales
State Representative
District 49