Michigan's Credit Rating Highest Since 2007

By Cindy Denby

Every day there is more evidence that Michigan's economy is becoming healthier, and I am confident that this trend is going to continue. 

This month Fitch Ratings upgraded Michigan's general credit rating to AA which is the highest it has been since 2007. The upgrade reflects the solid economic and fiscal recovery our state has experienced over the past two years. Additionally, Standard and Poor has updated Michigan's credit outlook to positive.

Over the past two years we have worked to make the budget in our state more structurally balanced as well as building up our budget stabilization fund.

Michigan has made great strides and with positive ratings from all three Wall Street agencies that progress is being recognized. This recognition can only help our efforts and help bolster our positive improvement. As always I continue to be dedicated to making Michigan a healthy and prosperous place where our children and grandchildren will want to stay.

New campaigns launch in Michigan

Recently the Michigan Department of Community Health launched two new campaigns aimed at raising awareness for crime victim services and sports concussions. 

The first campaign is to raise awareness about services for victims of crime. Michigan has a compensation program for crime victims that helps pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills or financial support for eligible victims if they suffer physical injury as a direct result of a crime. These program costs are paid entirely by criminal fines and not by Michigan taxpayers. For more information about CVSC in Michigan and to view the PSAs, visit www.michigan.gov/crimevictims.

The second campaign MDCH has launched is an educational website for sports concussions. Michigan recently became the 39th state to pass a law that will regulate sports concussions and supervise appropriate return to athletic activity. The new website features resources for coaches, parents, and athletes with educational resources and online training courses from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "Heads Up" Program. For more information visit www.michigan.gov/sportsconcussion.

Outflow Serving Day

On Saturday, May 28 the Fowlerville Brethren Church is hosting their third annual "Outflow Serving Day". In March 2011 the event started as a way for volunteers to join together and serve the local community. Last year the event included six local churches, and more than 550 volunteers who completed 52 projects throughout Fowlerville.

"Outflow Serving Day" does a great job of bringing local residents together and if you are interested, I encourage you to look into this event. This year there is still room for more volunteers and community projects. If you are interested in participating or have a project that needs to be addressed, contact the Fowlerville United Brethren Church by phone at (517) 223-9490 or email at outflow@fowlervilleub.org. Projects may also be submitted at www.fowlervilleub.org -just look for the "Submit a project" link.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at cindydenby@house.mi.gov.