From: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 3:43 PM
Subject: Governor's Office Talking Points - July 31
Friday, July 31, 2009
 
Governor, Lt. Governor Thank President for Efforts on Cash for Clunkers Extension
Governor Granholm and Lt. Governor Cherry thanked President Obama for his efforts in working with Congress to extend the Car Allowance Rebate System — popularly known as the Cash for Clunkers program — that offers rebates of up to $4,500 for the purchase of new fuel-efficient vehicles.
 
CARS originally was appropriated $1 billion to provide consumer rebates for up to 250,000 new vehicles sold that meet strict environmental requirements.  The program has been extremely successful.
 
Talking points:
 
• Legislation passed by the U.S. House today (H.R. 3435) extends and expands the program by $2 billion.  The legislation now moves to the Senate. 
• Every $1 billion in additional funding equals about 250,000 new vehicles sold.
• Additional funding will increase vehicle sales that can bolster jobs, our auto industry and our economy.
• Approximately every 15 U.S.-produced cars or light trucks support a job in our economy. One million new vehicle sales supports more than 50,000 jobs.
• Questions about the program can be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 866-227-7891.
 
Governor Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of No Worker Left Behind Program
In her radio address this week, the governor said August marks the two-year anniversary of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind job-training program.  Almost 82,000 people have taken advantage of the program.
No Worker Left Behind was created in 2007 by the Granholm administration to help Michigan workers obtain the skills they need for good-paying jobs in a changing economy.    
 
Talking points:
 
• The goal two years ago for No Worker Left Behind was to enroll 100,000 people in training.  The governor says we will meet and surpass that goal.
• No Worker Left Behind provides up to $5,000 a year for two years of tuition at any Michigan community college, university or other approved training program.  That means up to $10,000 for tuition.
• For someone looking to begin a new career, the first step is visiting his or her local Michigan Works! agency or the No Worker Left Behind Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb 
 

Governor Issues Executive Directive to Reduce Contract Spending
The governor issued Executive Directive 2009-3 to further reduce state spending by mandating reduced contract expenditures and limiting contractual and temporary employees.  The action builds on steps already taken to address sharply declining state revenues. 
 
The governor’s directive seeks to reduce contract spending by 5 to 10 percent, places a moratorium on new or expanded personal services contracts, and severely limits the use of temporary employees.  The directive also requires the Office of the State Employer and Department of Management and Budget to enforce the directive by regularly monitoring hiring requests and state spending.
 
Talking points:
 
• This directive is just the latest step taken to make state government more cost-efficient.  Last December and this past May, the administration issued executive orders cutting state spending by more than $400 million.
• An executive order issued July 13 eliminates the Department of History, Arts and Libraries — the third state department to be eliminated during the governor’s tenure.
• The governor also has issued numerous directives to reduce state spending on items such as travel, training and supplies, including 10 directives in 2007 that remain in effect.
 
Executive Directive Will Help Michigan Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This week the governor also issued Executive Directive 2009-4 implementing several recommendations from the Michigan Climate Action Council that will help Michigan reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
 
The directive calls for the state to take several actions to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  They include revising building codes to include higher energy efficiency standards, reducing vehicular congestion in major urban areas, and developing a truck idling program for the state fleet that will reduce emissions created by unnecessary idling.
 
Talking points:
 
• The governor created the 35-member Michigan Climate Action Council by executive order in November 2007.  The council was charged with compiling a comprehensive climate action plan with recommended greenhouse gas reduction goals along with potential actions to mitigate climate change.
• The council unanimously recommended that Michigan should set a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. 
• All of the recommendations in the Michigan Climate Action Plan are available at http://www.miclimatechange.us/ 
 
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