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	<title>Richard LeBlanc's podcast.</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcasts/</link>
	<description>Richard LeBlanc's podcast.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
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	<title>Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Report: Hire Michigan First</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-hire-michigan-first/337</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm State Representative Richard LeBlanc.  Thanks for listening to my latest radio report.

 Today's topic is going to be the "Hire Michigan First" plan which is a package of bills that will boost our economy and capitalize on the skills that our state's residents currently have.     

 I voted in support of this legislation because it will immediately create jobs for Michigan residents and ensure that they get the first crack at jobs that are created by companies that benefit from our state economic development programs or tax breaks.  The "Hire Michigan First" plan will also crack down on companies that hire undocumented workers by canceling their state contracts and also canceling their tax incentives.   

 We know that downsizing and outsourcing has stolen one job after another from our communities and its residents. Michigan working families have been hit hard - and we must do everything that we can to protect and create jobs now for our residents.

  The "Hire Michigan First" plan is going to reward Michigan businesses that invest in our community and hire our workers today.  Amongst the other things, this comprehensive plan will give preference for tax breaks and also other economic development tools to companies that hire the most Michigan residents. 

  Now, this rule would apply to projects handled by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and you might often hear us say the "MEDC".  That's what it is; the Michigan Development Corporation, and certain state-funded programs, including the Renaissance Zone Act and several others.

  The package requires companies that take economic development incentives to report on who they hire to ensure that Michigan residents are put first, encouraging transparency and accountability within government.

  The bills also crack down on companies that hire undocumented workers by canceling their state contracts and canceling those tax incentives. The plan would also require them to pay back the incentives that they already received and bar them from future contracts.

  The hard-working men and women of Michigan are second to none, and we know that.  This plan will support our communities by creating jobs and putting our residents - the residents that have the skills and experience that companies need to stay competitive - into good-paying jobs right now.  

  If you would like to learn more about this package please access the internet and go to www.hiremichfirst.com.  That\'s hire, M-I-C-H first.com.  And for more information on legislation within the House of Representatives in general, you can visit www.housedems.com.

 Now I've said it before and I will say it again, As always, have any questions, comments or concerns with regard to this topic or any other topic, I hope that you'll choose to call us please call me toll free at my office.  That number is 888-737-5325.

  It's a pleasure to serve you and I thank you for listening. 

 ]]></description>
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	<title>Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Report: DNR Provides Camper Storage</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-dnr-provides-camper-storage/333</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-dnr-provides-camper-storage/333</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hello Westland, welcome to my latest radio report.  This is State Representative Richard LeBlanc and today I'd like to share some information regarding the DNR Camper Storage program.  

 To save Michigan residents money, Michigan state parks and recreation areas are now offering free storage for campers.  Now we know that a lot of people in Westland have campers and it's probably a good way to travel and to save costs but officials have announced a new program this camping season that's going to offer you campers the opportunity to save on fuel costs by temporarily storing your camping trailer or your RV, your recreational vehicle, at specified state parks or recreation areas that are in-between your camping stays. Storage of the camping units are going to be free, but are limited to 15 days at a time. 

 Now we know that higher fuel prices make it more challenging for our residents to travel as often this summer as they'd like to on their trips to their favorite state park or recreation area campground. This program is going to allow us to save over 30% on fuel by leaving the camping trailers, the motor home, the RV or the boat and trailer somewhere up north rather than driving it back to Westland or towing it back and forth.

 Campers wishing to take advantage of this program will need to show proof of a recent stay within in a Michigan state park or recreation area, and recent means within one week.  So you're going to have to show proof that you have, within one week or so, stayed at a Michigan state park.  

 For more information and for a list of State parks and recreation areas that are participating in this program, please go to www.michigan.gov/DNR then select the "Camper Storage" button on the left side of the page.  That's going to give you all the information that you need.  

 This service is available now and it continues through September 15th this year.

 If you have any questions about this topic or any other issue that you may have concerns with, please contact me.  You can call my office toll-free at 888-737-5325, or you can e-mail me at richardleblanc@house.mi.gov.

 As always, it's a pleasure to serve you. Thanks for listening to this radio report and I look forward to sharing information with all members of the Westland community.  Thanks again.

  

 ]]></description>
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	<title>Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Report: Capital Outlay</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-capital-outlay/326</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 07:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[I'm State Representative Richard LeBlanc.  Thank you for again visiting my webpage.  

  

 We're going to talk a little bit today about Capital Outlay.  And Capital Outlay, for those who might not be aware, is an allocation that is allowed by the state that is voted on by members of the Legislature to allow for capital improvement projects like buildings and things of that nature.

  

 One of the things I wish to talk about today is that it is a pleasure to announce that Schoolcraft College has been included in a statewide plan to speed up some construction projects which will create tens of thousands of jobs for Michigan workers.  Schoolcraft College, as we know, serves a large portion of the Westland community.  

  

 And this project at that college has the added benefit of creating a better learning environment for our students, which will help to build a strong workforce for Michigan and help to attract the 21st century job providers to our state.  

  

 Specially, this $15 million project at Schoolcraft College would build a Public Safety/Homeland Security Classroom Building using a mix of state, federal and local funding and it will create 240 local jobs.  The project is one of hundreds of construction projects at universities, colleges, airports, military facilities and state parks all across the state, they're going to help create more than 29,000 jobs for Michigan's workers. 

  

 In this day and age, it's essential that we have a top-notch public safety team to respond to emergencies and disasters.  This specific investment will help to ensure that the men and women who get their training at Schoolcraft College will be well prepared to protect our community. This plan not only gets our workers back on the job, it also invests in Michigan's safety and future.

  

 As always, if you have comments or questions related to this project, or any other state government issue, please call me toll-free.  That number is 888-737-5325. If it's easier, you can send me an email.  My email address is my name, richardleblanc@house.mi.gov.   Thanks for listening.  I look forward to hearing from you.  

  

 It is an honor to serve on your behalf.  Take care.

 ]]></description>
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	<title>Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Report: Renewable Energy</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-renewable-energy/324</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[I'm State Representative Richard LeBlanc.  Thanks for visiting my webpage.  One of the things that we are going to talk about today within the House of Representatives is renewable energy and how Michigan can be more energy efficient.    

  

 Nearly half the states in our country are attracting thousands of "green-collar" jobs and millions of dollars in private investment by requiring that a certain amount of the electricity come from clean, renewable sources. 

  

 Now, to capture these jobs and other economic benefits of this rapidly growing renewable energy industry, the House of Representatives has passed legislation that would enable Michigan to enact its own Renewable Portfolio Standard, what we call RPS. 

  

 The Legislature has heard from major renewable energy providers who are waiting for Michigan to establish an RPS - this then would provide a stable, reliable market - before they're willing to commit to invest here. 

  

 We can retool our idled manufacturing plants and this would put thousands of our residents to work, for instance, making components for wind turbines.  In addition, ramping up our renewable energy production is going to help to diversify our economy and our energy options, making Michigan's future much more secure. 

  

 Every kilowatt hour that we produce from a renewable source is one less kilowatt hour we need to get from oil, from natural gas and or from coal, which of course we import.  

  

 Establishing a Renewable Portfolio Standard that RPS , is also going to perhaps mean that we won't need to construct a new power plan in our state.  Many people have said that we'll need to build a new power plan by the year 2015 to meet the rising demand for electricity and once again, this RPS may help to avoid that. 

 The Renewable Portfolio Standard is part of the House of Representatives Energy Plan, which is going to provide residents and businesses with affordable electricity well into the future. It also assures companies from around the world who are considering investment in our state that we can provide access to the stable, reliable energy supply they need to conduct business.

 If you have comments or questions about this legislation, or any other state government issue that might be interest you, please give me call toll-free at 888-737-5325, or, as you know, you can email me at my name, richardleblanc@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and it is my pleasure.  

 I hope to see you soon, thanks for listening.  

 ]]></description>
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	<title>Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Report: Save the Dream</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-save-the-dream/309</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-report-save-the-dream/309</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Report 

  

 Hi everyone, I'm State Representative Richard LeBlanc and I wish to thank you for visiting my webpage.  One of the things that we are talking about today within the House of Representatives and throughout our state is the foreclosure crisis.  

  

 So many of our residents who've worked hard, they've saved up a lot of money, they eventually achieve that dream of buying a house where they can both live and raise families and enjoy their communities.  During the past year, however, thousands of residents, including many people within Westland, have lost their homes to the foreclosure process.  And this, as we all know, can be devastating to a family.  Foreclosures also hurt our communities by leaving homes vacant and they drive down the property values. 

  

 That's why the House passed legislation, recently, to protect our residents from this epidemic of foreclosures that is, frankly, sweeping across our entire state.  This legislation will, amongst other things, protect consumers from being steered toward high-cost loans when they otherwise would qualify for traditional loans.  It's going to also prohibit prepayment penalties and will also give legal recourse to those homeowners that have been victimized by predatory lenders.  And, frankly, we may all know some people that have fallen into that trap.

  

 Now, what should you do if you are at risk of losing your home? The best advice you going to hear from both experts and laypersons alike, when you know that you are having financial difficulty, you have to communicate that.  You need to say it, say it often, say it to the right people but you have to communicate that message so that you can receive the help that you could be entitled to.  

  

 ·        You have to open and respond to the notices that you might receive in the mail.  Just throwing them away is not going to help the problem.

 ·        You should contact your mortgage holder immediately and ask them for help.  We all know that the mortgage contractors don't necessarily want your house, they want your money and so anything that we can do to avoid having that house go back to them is beneficial to everyone.

 ·        Know what kind of gap you need to manage by making a list of your monthly spending and comparing it to your monthly income. 

 ·        You can also reduce your spending by eliminating a monthly payment like a cell phone, maybe cable television or for some people it might even be practical to get rid of that second car or third car.

 ·        Don't sign anything over unless you have a reputable homeownership counselor review it.  You need to make sure that you have assistance from professionals.

 ·        Contact a certified counseling agency. You can find a list of agencies and other useful resources at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's website located at michigan.gov/M-S-H-D-A.  

  

 The Michigan State Housing Development Authority or, MSHDA, also operates the "Save the Dream" program.  This program allows borrowers who meet income and credit score requirements to avoid dramatic increases in their housing expenses by securing a fixed-rate loan. It's interesting to point out, too, that these loans are accomplished without the use of taxpayer dollars.  The program also allows homeowners who have missed payments on their adjustable-rate mortgages and are unable to work out an agreement with their lender to apply for a fixed-rated loan.  

  

 To learn more about all of this, please call MSHDA toll-free at 1-866-7432 or visit, as I mentioned before, michigan.gov/M-S-H-D-A.  

  

 Michigan's foreclosure epidemic affects entire communities - not just the homeowners that are at risk of losing their homes. Foreclosures drive down property values and empty homes can invite trouble to all of our neighborhoods. Every time we can prevent a foreclosure notice from being issued, we are helping to build a stronger neighborhood and a stronger Michigan.

  

 This is State Representative Richard LeBlanc and as I mentioned before, please feel to contact me about this issue that involves Westland or your neighborhoods.  You can call me toll free at 1-888-737-5325.  Or, e-mail me at richardleblanc@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you.  As always, it is a pleasure.  

  

 See you again soon, thank you for listening. 

 ]]></description>
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	<title>LeBlanc Urges Local Residents to Take Advantage of Federal Tax Credit (Radio Address)</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/leblanc-urges-local-residents-to-take-advantage-of-federal-tax-credit-radio-address/298</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/leblanc-urges-local-residents-to-take-advantage-of-federal-tax-credit-radio-address/298</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, it's me, State Representative Richard LeBlanc again.  And we're going to talk a little bit about something that is new for Michigan's residents, so obviously, it would be new for Westland residents and I really think this is a great thing.  I also believe that there are many of you out there that can benefit from this.  And what we're talking about, frankly, is a tax credit.  This particular tax credit the name of it is the Earned Income Tax Credit.  It's a federal tax break for people in our town that have moderate or low income.  And at the end of the day, this can make a huge difference in your family and in your household.  And I hope that you'll take advantage of an offering that we have here.  

  

 There were about 665, 000 earned income tax credit returns that were filed in our state in 2006, the last tax year, but during that time about $300 million of earned income tax credits went unclaimed.  Obviously, it's a substantial amount of money, obviously if we're entitled to share in some of that money we would want to do that.  

  

 Now, if you are a person who has the ability to connect online, we'd like to ask that you go to this particular website; and I'll spell it out; www.michiganEIC.org.  So once again, www.michiganEIC.org.  You'll go there and it'll allow you to learn the various qualifications that are necessary to participate in the system.  And that's the kind of thing that we want to make sure that people become advised.  

  

 If the folks in Westland that can participate in this and benefit from it, we're to take that money and pour it back into our own state and into our own community, certainly we would all benefit from that.  And it's part of the reason that Michigan decided to implement this type of a program.  

  

 So in closing, I just want to say that here's a tax credit that really can make a difference for working families.  Many people that we know are living from paycheck to paycheck and I want to encourage everyone to just check it out, see if you're eligible, if you are and if you're able to garner some of this money that is intended for this purpose, it helps not only you, but it helps out entire community and our economies.  Any questions, I would encourage you to also consider contacting our office.  If we can help you with this, please give us a call.  Toll free, 888-737-5325.  Thanks for listening, I look forward to talking with you soon.  

 ]]></description>
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	<title>Rep. LeBlanc's Radio Address: The Elder Financial Protection Act</title>
	<link>http://018.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-leblancs-radio-address-the-elder-financial-protection-act/294</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[ 

 I'm State Representative Richard LeBlanc and I wish to first thank you for visiting my webpage.  One of the things that we are talking about today within the House of Representatives is elder care.  

  

 Some people ask, "what is elder abuse?" and I guess I would suggest that it ranges over the course of a number of things.  Certainly there could be abandonment or neglect, there could be emotional or physical abuse or neglect but one of the things that we're concentrating on right now is the financial exploitation that involves seniors.  

  

 We've got a series of bills that are being proposed that will attack this problem.  It is to protect those that really need the protection.  And if you were to categorize it as to its level of importance, it's actually about 15% of all abuse cases that involve an elderly person do involve the financial component.  

  

 So some people have said, what does your plan do?  Very simply, the plan has a number of critical elements in it.  They make it mandatory, for instance, for employees of financial institutions to report suspected elder abuse.  So, whether it be a bank, or a credit union, or some other financial responsibility, if they're recognizing that there's an act that is occurring that would be considered abuse or suspected abuse, it must be reported.  It is mandatory.  

  

 There is also an element that would allow for a third-party to file a complaint on behalf of a victim.  Let's face it.  Not everyone is comfortable doing it, not everybody recognizes the signs of elder abuse, not everybody has the wherewithal to actually formally complain.  This bill, this series of bills, rather, would allow for a third party, someone else then to file a complaint on behalf of an elderly person.  

  

 Moving on to a couple of other things involving this series of bills: Michigan's Adult Protective Services investigated more than 9,300 cases of adult mistreatment in the year 2001. Now again, that's Michigan.  9,300 cases within our own state.  And, the investigation has found, that about 70% of all of these victims, suffered neglect.  And 15% were physically abused.  So, there's a number of things to consider within this entire series of bills that we think are definitely things that are necessary and, on behalf of our senior population, things that we believe, frankly, are overdue.  

  

 In wrapping up this radio address, I'd like to say a couple of things in closing.  We would all agree that elder abuse is a heinous crime and it has to be negated, it has to be stopped, it has to be addressed.  I'm really curious, what the folks of Westland think about this.  I found that most people are willing to share if you provide an invitation, so I'm going to do just that.  Why don't you give us a call.  My toll-free number, as most people know, is 888-737-5325. We want to know what you think about this series of bills.  

  

 Do you know any people that could actually use our help today?  We'd be glad to step in and provide you with the resource necessary to attack this kind of a problem.  At the end of the day, we recognize that we have to strengthen protection for our seniors to make sure that the predators that might be out there are stopped in their tracks.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks again.  

  

  

 ]]></description>
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