Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabis' Site Feed

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.

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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.

Statement from State Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) on the House omnibus school budget:

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:55:00 -0400

“While our governor speaks of the need for a strong education, House Republicans continue to present and support funding strategies that effectively hamstring today’s education leaders. The school budget omnibus bill, HB 4228, does nothing to undo the damage done by two years of drastic funding cuts to public education. This bill sends the message to our children that education in Michigan is not a top priority.

“House Bill 4228 simply won’t do. Certainly there is the need to refine our learning opportunities. We need to be sure that our classrooms are giving our children every chance to succeed. And we must be sure we provide the needed support so that teachers in classrooms throughout all of our school districts know that their efforts are appreciated.

“I will continue fighting to see that the nearly $2 billion that was slashed from schools since 2011 is restored. We need to reinvest in our schools instead of continuing to fund them at reduced levels. Our students deserve better than what this budget gives them.”

House Dems' Budget Priorities to Invest $1.5 Billion in Michigan families

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:52:43 -0400

LANSING - Michigan House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), joined by House Appropriations Committee vice chairwoman Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and School Aid Subcommittee vice chairman Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), unveiled the House Democrats’ budget priorities today, which would help Michigan’s families by providing $781.8 million in tax relief and increasing funding to our schools by more than half a billion dollars - or $320 per student.

“Our priorities are tax relief for middle-class families, restoring funding to education and increasing economic security for Michigan families. The governor’s agenda puts corporations before middle-class families,” Greimel said. “The governor’s experiment hasn’t worked, and unemployment in Michigan is still greater than the national rate. Our budget offers Michigan families the relief they need right now.”

The House Democratic budget proposal doesn’t just outline where taxpayer dollars could be better spent, but it also details how the tax cuts and funding proposals could be supported. The funding priorities include:

$781.8 million in middle-class tax relief, including the repeal of the senior tax, restoration of the $600 per-child deduction, fully restoring the Homestead Property Tax Credit and phasing back in the Earned Income Tax Credit;
Restoring $537 million to Michigan classrooms, including $65 million for early childhood education;
Making higher education more affordable with a $37.5 million investment;
Creating real jobs for our Michigan workers with an investment of $50 million for film incentives and brownfield redevelopment and historic preservation incentives at $20 million; and
Protecting our community values with a $62.4 million investment for public safety and local services, $4 million for women’s health and $16 million in veteran services.

“This budget would finally begin to restore funding to our schools and universities after years of crippling cuts,” Dillon said. “After seeing classrooms across Michigan suffer with cuts of nearly $2 billion over the past two years, investing an extra $320 per student will start to repair our strained school system and help our kids compete for 21st century jobs. By making college more affordable by investing $37.5 million, we will get our state on a better footing to start attracting good-paying jobs back to Michigan. We must invest in our future.”

To fund these expenditures, House Democrats propose to prioritize the budget and get rid of corporate welfare programs that don’t work.”?We can’t afford to spend taxpayer funds on tax breaks for big corporations that don’t create more jobs. Michigan families, not CEOs, are the key to reviving Michigan’s economy,” Greimel said.

Funding sources for the House Democratic budget include:

$115 million from reducing MEDC’s corporate welfare programs that have no track record of creating new jobs;
$206 million by accepting federal Medicaid expansion dollars;
$200 million in eliminating government waste through audit savings;
$300 million from cost-effective vendor contracts; and
$158 million from the budget stabilization fund

“Our budget priorities proposal invests in Michigan families first,” Tlaib said. “We got it right by fixing the potholes in education first and creating a safety net for our seniors and families. Our families deserve fair opportunities for a better life in Michigan. Our priorities also made sure that we have adequate fire and police services and made sure that our men and women who served us well get the best veteran services we can fund. The direction that Republicans have taken our state creates future liabilities that we won’t be able to afford, so it is critical that we all work together to get the state budget right and working for all of Michigan not just a few.”

Stallworth and MLBC Colleagues Challenge Governor on No-Bid Contracts

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:57:19 -0500

DETROIT - State Representative Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit), and Michigan Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) members Representatives Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint) and Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and state Senator Virgil K. Smith (D-Detroit) today called on Gov. Rick Snyder and State Treasurer Andy Dillon to require greater accountability from vendors who contract to provide services for distressed communities under either consent agreements or emergency managers.

“The public needs to know that their tax dollars are being spent efficiently and wisely when officials in fiscally challenged communities, such as Detroit, sign contracts for services with vendors,” said Stallworth. “These vendors need to be transparent and accountable and that isn’t happening right now. We simply need more information so that we know that these contracts are appropriate and will actually help Detroit and these other communities.”

Stallworth and members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus addressed these issues in a letter they all signed and sent to Snyder last May. They called on state officials to prioritize using state and local vendors whenever possible in distressed communities. Doing so would help strengthen local businesses, which is a critical component to righting struggling local governments. Just this week, the Detroit City Council approved about $13 million in no-bid contracts as part of the consent agreement the city has with the state. Those contracts won approval, but Detroit citizens know little to nothing about these vendors or how residents’ tax dollars will be spent in these contracts.

“No-bid contracts are not a best practice for securing services. Officials tasked with turning around distressed communities should seek the best value possible when using public dollars,” said Stanley. “Residents deserve to know that vendors are really doing what is right for their community, and they’ll know that by demanding accountability, transparency and using more local vendors to provide these services.”

“We want what is best for our communities, so I would think that anyone could agree that, especially in these distressed communities, we should work with, and not against, community members to solve these problems,” said Smith (D-Detroit)

Since the governor took office, a number of communities and school districts have been given emergency managers, while Detroit has a consent agreement. Last November, voters rejected Public Act 4, the governor’s rewrite of the original emergency financial manager law.

“Detroit and other distressed communities will truly be on the road to fiscal sustainability when Michigan companies are growing and hiring,” said Tinsley-Talabi. “The best implementation of the governor’s ‘economic gardening’ idea is to focus on working with local businesses and vendors to help turn these communities around.”

Representative Tinsley-Talabi Addresses Concerns Regarding Detroit Land Use Plans

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:33:03 -0500

LANSING - At the Capitol today, State Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) issued the following statement regarding the Detroit Future City Strategy document:

“Although the proposal offers our community a plan to address the issues of blight, there must be additional consideration given to recognize certain needs within urban communities, including responsible property ownership and the allocation of taxpayer-based city services,” Tinsley-Talabi said.

To protect current residents, Tinsley-Talabi emphasizes the need for the purchase of parcels for innovative productive and ecological uses to be prioritized based on open or vacant parcels in a block. As parcels are purchased, she believes that parcels should first be made available on blocks where there are no residents. Additional purchases should then be based on blocks with the highest percentage of open parcels.

“We must be careful to not minimize or trivialize the time, money and energy our neighbors and friends have invested in either maintaining property or community gardens,” said Tinsley-Talabi. “Also, to give them the first option to purchase these properties is the right thing to do, and we should make sure the negotiated purchase price recognizes their ability to pay.”

Tinsley-Talabi wants Detroit and state officials to continue exploring all avenues and strategies that will bring resources and opportunities to urban communities. While the Detroit Future City Strategy document offers a new vision, it is the responsibility of elected leaders also to value the commitment made by current property owners. Their needs must not be overlooked as the Detroit Future City Strategy moves forward.

Rebuilding our urban communities requires that the allocation of city services must be fair and equitable. It is unfair to tax payers living in areas where new land use is proposed to expect them to receive services that are not commensurate with assessed taxes. This, too, is a consideration that must be made to protect the fairness doctrine embodied in the state constitution.

Positive, responsible investment in our urban communities will have the greatest positive impact.

“I understand the need to create a workable land use plan for Detroit,” Tinsley-Talabi said. “I agree that tough decisions need to be made. Nevertheless, we must also recognize that current property owners can play a vital role in workable land use solutions. As your state representative, I will continue to work with local and state authorities to ensure our urban investment strategies give proper consideration to responsible property owners.”

Segal, Tinsley-Talabi, Schor Push for Action on Health Exchange

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:57:00 -0500

LANSING - House Democratic Floor Leader Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek), Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), and Rep.-Elect Andy Schor (D-Lansing) today called on Health Policy Committee Chair Rep. Gail Haines (R-Waterford) not to wait any longer to hold hearings on Senate Bill 693, which would create the Michigan Health Care Exchange.

“After stalling for months and using the presidential election as an excuse, Rep. Haines and the House leadership now realize that we need to move on creating a Michigan Health Care Exchange, but they still aren’t moving fast enough,” said Segal. “Although the federal deadlines have now been extended, we still need to allow for committee testimony and debate, discussion and passage on the House floor, and further action by the Senate if needed. We need to take control of our future under the Affordable Care Act and create our own exchange.”

The federal government has extended the deadline for states to first say if they will submit their own plans, and then to write their plans for a state health care exchange and then submit them to the federal government. The Senate passed legislation on this in November 2011, and the bill has sat in the House Health Policy Committee ever since. Rep. Segal, in addition to Governor Rick Snyder, had called on Republicans to move on the exchange this past August, but House Republicans chose not to act. Segal, Tinsley-Talabi, and Schor want Michigan to take control of this process because Michigan residents will be best served through a state-created exchange.

“The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and it goes without question that Michigan officials are in the best position to create a health exchange for our citizens,” said Tinsley-Talabi. “If we wait any longer for hearings and discussion then we are short-changing ourselves and Michigan residents. We need to start now and have a serious discussion on this very important issue.”

“Delaying the discussion and decision on a health care exchange will only hurt our citizens, who will wait longer for the care they need. Without this exchange, it will be harder for resources like the Ingham Health Plan to provide the care that our working uninsured families need,” said Rep.-Elect Schor. “We need to create our own Michigan exchange and not rely on federal bureaucrats to do the job, and we can’t afford to turn back these necessary dollars that we would get from the federal government to create this exchange. We know what’s best for Michigan, and we owe it to our residents to not leave this important task until the last possible minute.”

Tinsley-Talabi and Volunteers Spend Day Cleaning Up Neighborhood

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:02:00 -0400

DETROIT - State Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and volunteers spent Saturday, Sept. 8, securing buildings and doing other neighborhood cleanup in the blocks surrounding Hutchinson Leadership Academy at Howe located at 2600 Garland St. Rep. Tinsley-Talabi was joined by local clergy, community volunteers, and members of Alpha Kappa Sorority XI Chapter from Eastern Michigan University.

“No student should be subject to the kind of ‘structural violence’ we see in these abandoned buildings and overgrown lots and yards,” said Rep. Tinsley-Talabi. “As responsible adults, we must do everything we can to improve the areas surrounding every school, and we must do it NOW and not later. When and if the city, state, county or federal government comes through with assistance and funding that will be great. But we can’t wait for that so now it is on US to pick up our hammers and rakes and help protect our children by cleaning up our neighborhoods”

Rep. Tinsley-Talabi and the volunteers did maintenance around the neighborhood including mowing overgrown lawns, removing debris, and boarding up abandoned and dangerous buildings. They worked to secure a number of abandoned buildings that faced the elementary school.

Tinsley-Talabi and volunteers to secure abandoned buildings

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:03:00 -0400

DETROIT - State Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) and volunteers will work to secure abandoned structures in the immediate neighborhood of the Hutchinson Leadership Academy, located at 2600 Garland St., on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will meet at the Academy. Rep. Tinsley-Talabi will be joined by local clergy, community volunteers and student volunteers from Eastern Michigan University.

“Abandoned buildings can be a magnet for crime and trouble unless they are boarded up so that troublemakers can’t set up shop,” said Tinsley-Talabi. “If the owners, banks or the city can’t take care of these properties, then we have to step in and do it for them. Residents and schoolchildren deserve safe neighborhoods, and I am glad that my friends and I can spend a Saturday securing these buildings to make this neighborhood safer.”

WHO: State Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit), local clergy, community volunteers and Eastern Michigan University student volunteers.

WHERE: Hutchinson Leadership Academy, 2600 Garland St.,
Detroit

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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