<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" 
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	>

<channel>

	<title>Terry Brown's podcast.</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcasts/</link>
	<description>Terry Brown's podcast.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<generator>http://www.housedems.com/</generator>
	<language>en</language>

	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: New Rural Caucus</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-new-rural-caucus/372</link>
	<pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-new-rural-caucus/372</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my news update, "Talking With Terry."

 Michigan's rural areas have many assets, and I'm proud to represent one of the most rural districts in the state.  Our way of life and our traditions are worth protecting and passing down to future generations.  We also have many needs that differ from Michigan's urban areas - needs that often are overlooked or underfunded.  That's why State Senator Jim Barcia and I have started a new legislative group to advocate for Michigan's rural needs.  

  

 This group, called the Rural Caucus, includes State Representatives and State Senators who represent rural areas all over Michigan.  Our goal is to help our fellow lawmakers understand the challenges facing Michigan's rural residents.  For example, Michigan's 57 rural counties have higher percentages of poverty and unemployment.  In fact, the average Michigan resident made $33,778 in 2006, according to the U.S.D.A. Economic Research Service - but the average rural Michigan resident made only $27,408. 

  

 Rural residents tend to have less access to quality health care than those who live in urban or suburban areas.  That's partly because rural areas often have a shortage of health care providers, especially primary care physicians and dentists.  This can lead to long waits for appointments and having to travel long distances for health care, which can be especially tough for folks who don't have their own transportation.  One of the tools that can help is telemedicine, where medical consultation, diagnosis and even treatment can be done or at least overseen via e-mail or video. 

  

 Rural areas also need help expanding telecommunications and computer networks.  Having clean, safe water, improving our infrastructure, expanding police and fire services - all these are rural needs that deserve attention.  

  

 The Rural Caucus will be a source of information on all these issues for legislators.  We will bring in experts to share information and provide up-to-date research.  The discussions that result from these meetings will provide many legislators with a level of understanding that they might not otherwise have.  This will help all of us legislators work together at the Capitol to find positive solutions that benefit the whole state. Within the few square blocks of the city of Lansing, some lawmakers can lose sight of the needs of rural Michigan. The Rural Caucus will be here to remind them. 

  

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I am here to serve you and your family.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also visit my Web site to see the work I am doing or check on upcoming events and sign up for my e-newsletter.  Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-new-rural-caucus/372.mp3' length='3189447' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Safe Home Heating</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-safe-home-heating/371</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-safe-home-heating/371</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to "Talking With Terry."

 With so many people struggling to make ends meet right now, some folks end up using dangerous heating practices at home.  Sometimes, this can contribute to the problem of carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas that you can't see, smell or taste.  Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause illness or even death very quickly, before you even realize there's a problem. Every year, hundreds of people in Michigan are hospitalized and 15 to 20 people die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, nausea, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are similar to the flu.  If you feel better when you leave your home, though, or if many of your family members become ill at the same time, it may be carbon monoxide poisoning.

  

 If you suspect that's what's happening, you should move yourself, your family and your pets outside immediately. If you don't, you could pass out within minutes and die.  It's important if you suspect carbon monoxide to call 9-1-1 from outside your home.  

  

 To PREVENT carbon monoxide poisoning, follow these rules:

 DO NOT use an oven or range to heat your home. 

 DO NOT use a portable gas or kerosene heater inside a home or other enclosed space. 

 NEVER sleep in a room with an un-vented gas or kerosene space heater.

 DO NOT run a generator inside your house or in your garage, and keep it away from windows and doors where gas can seep in. 

 NEVER use charcoal or propane grills or camp stoves indoors. ... 

 And, finally, DO NOT let a vehicle run in an attached garage.

  

 You should also have your furnace or other heating system checked each year. 

  

 Because you can't see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, it's very important to have a carbon monoxide detector near every bedroom...  in addition to smoke alarms on every floor.  

  

 I also want to make sure that folks who are at risk of having their utilities shut off know where to turn for help. 

 The death of the Bay City gentleman whose electricity was disconnected was a shameful tragedy that NEVER should have happened.  If you are having trouble keeping up with your utility bills, make sure to call the company to see if you can make arrangements to keep the power on.  If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  We will listen and do everything we can to help.  And please make sure to check in on your elderly neighbors and friends regularly. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and your family.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-safe-home-heating/371.mp3' length='3082867' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Selling More Renewable Fuels</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-selling-more-renewable-fuels/369</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-selling-more-renewable-fuels/369</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

  

 With our strong agricultural base and innovative spirit, the Thumb has been a leader in the production of renewable fuels.  To make sure that our farmers and businesses get the maximum benefit from this economic opportunity, we must work to increase the demand for renewable fuels.

  

 I recently voted for a plan that will help do this by providing a tax credit to gas station owners who upgrade or purchase new pumps and tanks that sell ethanol or biodiesel fuel. Making renewable fuels available to more consumers statewide will increase Thumb-area farmers' profits and help protect and create jobs right here in our communities. By enabling more gas station owners to provide homegrown ethanol and biodiesel at their pumps, we can also break our dependence on foreign oil more quickly. 

 Biodiesel from soy and other crops is one great option. 

  

 As the science of both corn-based and cellulosic ethanol production advances, we have to do everything we can to advance the production and sale of those fuels as well. he plan that my colleagues and I passed also will create an Alternative Fuels Fund. This fund will award grants to improve the production of renewable fuels in Michigan, using contributions from a new income tax checkoff option.

  

 This plan will help ensure that the vital Thumb industry of agriculture will continue to benefit from the rapid growth of the renewable energy industry.

  

 Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this or any other issue. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site, which is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

  

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-selling-more-renewable-fuels/369.mp3' length='2095229' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Giving the Gift of Education</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-giving-the-gift-of-education/367</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-giving-the-gift-of-education/367</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 As a longtime educator, I know how important it is to make sure that every child receives the best schooling possible. It's also essential for our young people to continue their education beyond high school so they can make a good living and so that Michigan can create the talented workforce we need to attract top-notch employers. 

 Unfortunately, rising tuition costs and this tough economy are putting college out of reach for too many of our working families. To help send more kids to college, I voted this week for a plan to make it easier for local individuals, groups and agencies to donate college tuition or scholarships.

 The plan provides tax breaks for people who buy pre-paid tuition through the Michigan Education Trust (known as MET) as donations. The plan also enables agencies or charities to set up scholarships through the Michigan Education Savings Program, or M-E-S-P.  

 MET allows anyone to pre-purchase undergraduate tuition for a child living in Michigan for any Michigan public university or community college. And M-E-S-P is a tax-deferred college savings program. Groups and municipalities have expressed a desire to buy multiple MET contracts or set up blocs of M-E-S-P contracts - for example, for children from a particular school or town.

 The plan passed by the House makes it easier for them to do that by allowing people who buy a MET contract as a donation, rather than for a specific child, to receive a tax deduction and it allows anyone to set up an M-E-S-P account without having to name the beneficiary ahead of time. 

 It's important to work together to keep college within reach for any Michigan resident who wants to make that dream a reality.  In the meantime, I strongly encourage folks to start a MET or M-E-S-P account for a child in your life.  

 As the father of a daughter in college and two sons on the way soon, I know how hard it is to find money in the household budget for college tuition. With these programs, it doesn't take much money to start an account, and you can put away small amounts at a time. Perhaps you could consider starting an account as a Christmas gift this year. After all, helping a child attend college is a powerful gift that will last longer than anything you can put under the tree. 

  

 Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-giving-the-gift-of-education/367.mp3' length='2657802' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Supporting Our Local  Businesses</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-supporting-our-local-businesses/366</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-supporting-our-local-businesses/366</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown, with my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 As we all re-evaluate our finances after a tough year, it's a good time to remember how important it is to support our locally owned businesses. 

 Small businesses across the Thumb and across Michigan have been hit especially hard by these tough economic times. These companies provide jobs for our neighbors, our friends, and our families. These shops, restaurants and stores make up the heart and soul of our communities. 

 We need them - and now, more than ever, they need us. If we each commit to buying local just a little more often, starting with this holiday season, we can make a big difference. 

  

 In addition to creating local jobs, buying local keeps your money here at home. The cash you spend re-circulates in our local economy because local businesses tend to buy from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Local businesses also are usually owned by people who live in our community, so they are less likely to leave and are more invested in our future. By supporting local shops and stores, you're also helping to keep our cities, towns and villages unique.

  

 The places where we shop, eat and have fun are part of what makes us special, part of what keeps our kids and grandkids coming back each year and tourists coming to visit. By keeping our hometown businesses strong, you're also increasing our attractiveness to new residents and new employers. In a world where so many places are starting to look the same, people prefer to settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. At local businesses, you can get fresher products too, because they're grown or raised right here. 

 And you're more likely to get better service at a local store that features hometown employees who know their products and their customers.

  

 Whether it is buying something you need, going out for a special meal or sending a taste of home to a relative far away, let's all do our part to support our local businesses. Each purchase truly makes a difference. 

 I want to let you know about two Web sites that can help you find Michigan-made products and Michigan-owned companies: 

  

 They are www.buymichfirst.com and www.buymichigannow.com. 

 Both sites allow businesses to list themselves for free, and I encourage local folks to do that right away. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site to find out more about my work or to sign up for my e-newsletter. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-supporting-our-local-businesses/366.mp3' length='3058207' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking With Terry: Giving Thanks</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-giving-thanks/365</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-giving-thanks/365</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. This is State Representative Terry Brown, with my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 Each year, Thanksgiving provides us with a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for all we have.  

 Many of us are blessed to have a job that provides a decent living, a house to come home to each night, enough food to eat, clothes to keep us warm, and transportation to get to where we need to go. Now more than ever, we should give thanks every day to be so fortunate. Others among us are struggling. This terrible economy has caught up with many of our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers. Some have lost their jobs or even their homes, some must send their children out in the cold without the proper clothing, some go to bed hungry at night. Now more than ever, it is important that we respond to our fellow community members without judgment, and with compassion. 

 1 John 3:18 says, Let us love not in word or speech, but in truth and action. Each of us can do that in our own way. Perhaps you are able to give items to a food drive at your school or church or even start a drive yourself. Maybe you can donate money to one of our food pantries, which are struggling to meet the rising need or donate clothes or coats for others to use.

 And to you successful hunters, congratulations. If you wish to donate any portion of your bounty this season, there are local processors who will make sure the meat gets to needy families. Find out more at Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger's Web site, which is sportsmenagainsthunger.org, or Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, which is online at fhfh.org. 

 Giving back takes many forms. Our schools need volunteers, our kids need mentors, overwhelmed parents need a break, lonely seniors would love to have visitors. So whatever time, money or skills you can offer, do it now. Giving back will help our community - and in this time of uncertainty, it will help you feel connected, as well. Anyone who wants to volunteer or donate can find out more at thumbresources.org. If you or someone you know needs assistance, this Web site is a great place to start as well. 

 Please allow your community to stand by you during these tough times, just as you would do for anyone else in need. 

 Together, we will make it through.

 And as your voice at the State Capitol, I am doing all I can to speed up Michigan's recovery and make our communities strong again. Please feel free to call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Make it a great day and, might I add my wish for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-giving-thanks/365.mp3' length='3112960' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Foreclosure Prevention Act</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-foreclosure-prevention-act/364</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-foreclosure-prevention-act/364</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. This is State Representative Terry Brown, with my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 I've been working hard to find solutions to the foreclosure crisis which continues to take a heavy toll on our working families, our communities and our state's economy. As we work to create good-paying jobs and help Michigan move through this economic turmoil, we have to do everything we can to help families keep their homes. I believe we must focus on preventing foreclosures, rather than leaving people to pick up the pieces afterward. At two town hall meetings I held in the past year, experts talked about how critical it is for struggling homeowners to take steps early to find out about options they may have to keep their homes.  Last week, I voted for a plan to require lenders to inform homeowners facing foreclosure about such programs and resources. Homeowners need to know there are options available if they are facing the loss of the home they worked so hard to buy. The plan I voted for also requires lenders to send a written notice to borrowers at least 45 days before initiating a foreclosure. This plan is part of a comprehensive approach that my colleagues and I have been taking to solving the problem of foreclosures in Michigan. For example, I previously voted for a plan that bans predatory lending practices such as giving out loans without requiring borrowers to prove that they can repay them.  This new plan provides another tool in the fight against foreclosures, which hurt not only the families that lose their homes, but also hurt our area's chances of attracting new employers and stimulating our economy. Everyone wins when we find solutions that enable homeowners to pay their mortgages and stay in their homes. In Huron and Tuscola counties, we have excellent free assistance available to homeowners who may be at risk of foreclosures. 

 The folks at the Human Development Commission are very knowledgeable and professional about doing everything they can to help. To take advantage of these services, call HDC at (800) 843-6394. You can also visit the Michigan Housing and Development Authority's foreclosure assistance Web site, Michigan.gov/savethedream.

 And remember, it is best to seek out this information as soon as you think you may need it. If you would like to learn more about this foreclosure prevention legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov SLASH tbrown. While you are there, you can also sign up for my e-newsletter. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-foreclosure-prevention-act/364.mp3' length='3000947' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Honoring Veterans All Year</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-honoring-veterans-all-year/362</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-honoring-veterans-all-year/362</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[

 

  Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 During the second week of November each year, there is a lot of attention paid to our veterans as our nation observes Veterans Day.  

 Wouldn't it be wonderful if this attention and honor were given to our veterans all year round?  Without the bravery and commitment of these honorable men and women, America would not be the great country it is.  The sacrifices our veterans have made must never be forgotten. Without them, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy including the right to vote, which Americans exercised in record numbers last week.

 We are a nation that can freely choose its leaders ONLY because hundreds of thousands of veterans risked their lives over the years to keep our country free. Thousands of our fellow Americans, including more than 2,000 reservists from Michigan, are fighting for that freedom halfway around the world right now. 

 I find that young people, especially, tend to think of their grandfathers and other older folks when they hear the word "veteran." We should remember that there are veterans of all ages. There are young veterans, too - those who have returned from one or two or three deployments in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans of different ages and different circumstances may face different challenges. They all share a special bond, though - they have made a priceless and timeless contribution to our country. There is no way we can ever repay them or their families. Expressing our gratitude is the least we can do. 

 We must also do everything we can to ensure that our government provides the services and benefits that our veterans deserve. And we must make sure that our veterans can easily access those benefits, including health care and education assistance. The men and women who have served our country deserve to be treated with the highest respect, honor and gratitude. 

 If you are a veteran who is having difficulty accessing your benefits or resolving a related problem, I encourage you to contact my office. My staff and I will do everything we can to provide the information and advocacy necessary to help our veterans and military families. You can call my office, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Please also visit my Web site to learn about legislation I have sponsored or voted for to support our veterans. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. 

 And please remember, this week and every week, that when you see a veteran or a member of our armed forces who is currently serving our country ... simply saying "Thank you for your service" goes a long way.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-honoring-veterans-all-year/362.mp3' length='2717987' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Hope and Hard Work</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-hope-and-hard-work/363</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-hope-and-hard-work/363</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 As our state and nation face the toughest economic times in many years, it can be hard to hang on to hope. Some days it seems like there is nothing we can do to get out from under the flood of bad news. But every day, we have a choice. 

  Will we stay focused on creating good-paying jobs and turning our economy around, or will we waste our energy on negative attacks?  Will we unite in our dedication to action, or will we create more division and anger by only talking about blame? Will we move forward, or will we stay mired down in the past?  Will we choose to appreciate the wonders of our state - our beautiful Great Lakes, the uniqueness of each season, our rich farmland, our forests, our vast shoreline - or will we refuse to see the goodness in the place we call home? Will we respond with compassion and more help for our neighbors and friends in need ... or will we open our hearts only to judgment and fear?

 Here in the Thumb, we have so many assets that will carry us through these times. We are strong, independent people with common sense that is so uncommon in other places. We know how to work together and find solutions to our challenges. We're innovators, with a work ethic that can't be beat. And we take care of each other. People who move here often remark that where they came from, they didn't even know their neighbors.

 Here, we have a real sense of community. Our kids and grandkids come back from all around the world for festivals because they want to experience that special feeling they can't find anywhere else. A lot of our strength comes from our agricultural roots. Our farmers prepare the soil and plant the seeds. They water and fertilize and monitor their crops. Then they have to accept that they cannot control everything that happens after that. They have worked hard and done everything they can. They use hope as a bridge to harvest. 

 We, too, must work hard and do everything we can during this season of adversity. Our harvest of economic recovery will not come overnight. But the seeds we are planting, the crops we are tending, will grow into the jobs and the economic development we need. Hope and hard work will make it happen. Things will get better, because it all boils down to one choice: Will these tough times bring out the best in us, or the worst?  

 I have faith that we here in the Thumb will make the right choice.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-hope-and-hard-work/363.mp3' length='2903980' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Harvest Time</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-harvest-time/361</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-harvest-time/361</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."  

  

 We are blessed to live in a beautiful state, and each season has its own glories.  In autumn, though, the harvest and the changing of the colors each have their own magic.  There is something special about taking a walk in the woods when the air is as crisp as a freshly picked apple and the leaves are turning into colors that no artist can truly ever re-create. Each leaf is as unique as a snowflake.

  

 And speaking of snow, many people look at fall as just a precursor to winter. But as the colors change and the leaves start to fall, we should remember to enjoy autumn while it's here. In fact, living in Michigan, we tend to take things like autumn for granted. We rarely stop to realize that most of our fellow Americans - in fact, most of the people around the world - have never experienced the richness of the changing of the seasons. It's hard to imagine missing out on that.

  

 People from other states travel to Michigan to see - and feel - autumn for themselves. In October, besides the colors changing, we also see firsthand the harvest coming in. This gives us another reason to be grateful for living in this beautiful, bountiful state. It makes sense, then, that October is the month to combine tourism and agriculture, which are two of Michigan's three largest industries. October is Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism Month.

  

 The Thumb has lots of great farmers markets, family farms, corn mazes and other spots to attract folks from around the state. We should all make sure to take advantage of these great resources around us, as well.

  

 As the harvest comes in, trips to places like this in our community make great family outings that the kids will remember for years to come. Buying a locally grown pumpkin at the store is great, for example but taking the kids to the pumpkin patch for a hayride and some cider would be a wonderful family activity. Corn mazes are fun, too.

  

 Visiting farmers markets or farms also provides fresh foods at a reasonable price, and it helps support our agricultural community. It's important that we buy local foods to protect jobs and grow our local economy. The Michigan Department of Agriculture has a one-stop online shop for finding fun food and agriculture-related events across the state. Visit Michigan.gov/agtourism.

  

 Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

 You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family.

  

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."  Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-harvest-time/361.mp3' length='3054446' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Great Lakes - Don't Hibernate</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-great-lakes-dont-hibernate/360</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-great-lakes-dont-hibernate/360</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 It's the time of year when people start putting the boats away and reminiscing about summer. This tends to make me think of how much we take Lake Huron for granted. In fact, when I think of all the threats to our Great Lakes, the most dangerous one is apathy. As winter approaches, we can't allow ourselves - or each other - to let our fight to restore the Great Lakes go dormant. Now is the time to push forward. 

 We have the momentum of the Michigan House and Senate working together to pass the landmark "Great Waters, Great Michigan" package, which I was proud to sponsor part of. This monumental agreement will protect thousands of jobs and help preserve our way of life in the Great Lakes State. The centerpiece of the plan effectively bans the diversion of water outside the Great Lakes Basin by ratifying the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact. Congress has now passed this Compact, and the President signed it last week.

 The state, nonprofit groups, universities and cities and towns in Michigan are pooling their intellectual and financial resources to do all we can to save the Great Lakes. When the new administration takes office, Michigan needs to be front and center, pushing for the $20 billion in federal funds that we have been promised to restore the Great Lakes. This money will pay for many projects to achieve goals that experts agree are urgent. Even in these tough economic times, this is an investment worth making, because the return will be phenomenal.

 Chief among these projects, and most essential for the Thumb, are those that fight the overgrowth of algae that is creating our long-term muck problem. These include stopping combined sewer overflows and polluted runoff, and regulating leaky and failed septic systems. The thousands of jobs that will be saved by these projects - not to mention the ones that will be created - make this federal investment essential for Michigan, our region and our nation. The Great Lakes, after all, power Michigan's three largest industries - agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. We can set a new standard for state-federal partnerships, where federal dollars fuel effective action under local control. Now is not the time to hibernate; it is the time to wake up and fight for the resources we need to invest in our most important natural and economic resource.

 Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the Great Lakes or any other issues. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-great-lakes-dont-hibernate/360.mp3' length='3034802' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Wind Lease Legislation</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-lease-legislation/359</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-lease-legislation/359</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 As the demand for clean, renewable energy grows, more investors in this rapidly growing industry will be showing interest in the Thumb. As Michigan's leader in wind energy, we will reap tremendous economic benefits from the increase in production of this clean source of electricity.

 Wind energy has many benefits for us. It creates jobs, brings in extra money for schools and our communities, and attracts researchers, educators and tourists. Ramping up wind energy also enables us to put our manufacturing base to work in a new industry - building wind turbine components. Another major benefit is that farmers and others who lease their land to wind energy companies receive thousands of dollars each year. In addition, they can still farm almost all of the land except for the small amount directly around a wind turbine. Signing such a lease is nothing to rush into, though. 

 Wind-energy leases usually last at least 20 years, and often much longer. 

 It's very important to take all the time you need. You will want to talk with your family, as well as with your neighbors about the kinds of offers they are getting. And, most of all, you will want to consult with a qualified attorney and have that person look over the contract.

  

 Some property owners say that when they have been approached by a wind energy developer, they have felt pressured to sign a wind-energy lease quickly. That type of pressure is not acceptable. Even if you sign an agreement, you should have the right to change your mind in a reasonable amount of time.

 To make sure our landowners' interests are protected, I have introduced legislation to allow people who sign wind leases to cancel the lease within 14 days. The plan requires the statement of the 14-day cancellation rule be printed in type slightly bigger than the text of the contract itself.  I also encourage you to go to my Web site and use a worksheet posted there that helps landowners evaluate whether the lease they are offered is right for them. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

  

 I believe that wind energy can be highly beneficial for our farmers and our economy. However, every property owner and every community should make their own decision, once they have all the information they need.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-wind-lease-legislation/359.mp3' length='2851736' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Deer Baiting Ban</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-deer-baiting-ban/357</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-deer-baiting-ban/357</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 We have been hearing a lot lately about Chronic Wasting Disease, which was recently discovered in a deer on the west side of the state. As a hunter, I am as concerned as anyone about protecting Michigan's deer herd as well as the economic impact that hunting has on our communities and our state. However, I have heard from many farmers and businesses that simply may not survive the unexpected loss of annual income from bait sales. 

 As your State Representative, I am committed to protecting Michigan jobs and making sure that Thumb-area farms and businesses succeed. That's why I believe we must look at the immediate, potentially devastating economic harm that this broad response to one case of CWD at a private facility will cause.  As a member of the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee, I have heard testimony from Department of Natural Resources officials about the CWD situation.  No other deer at that ranch have tested negative for CWD, and no other cases of CWD have been found in captive or free-ranging Michigan deer. The science simply does not justify a ban on baiting across the entire Lower Peninsula. Such a broad action will inflict millions of dollars in damage to farmers and businesses and force them to absorb huge costs and lay off workers. Michigan's economy cannot afford a blow like that right now.

 That's why I co-sponsored a resolution in the Michigan House urging the DNR to lift that ban for this season and apply a baiting ban only to the Kent County CWD surveillance zone, near the one case of infection. As an advocate for our agricultural community and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have been in close contact with Michigan Farm Bureau officials about the situation.  The Farm Bureau has developed the Michigan Feed Exchange, a free online service to help farmers find new markets for crops grown as bait that they are unable to sell.

 The Web site helps link bait or feed crop producers with buyers interested in using these perishable commodities such as carrots or sugar beets for other purposes, such as livestock feed. You can find the online Michigan Feed Exchange at michfb.com/feed. By working together, we can help ensure that Michigan's farmers and businesses do not suffer serious economic losses this fall.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 I am here to serve you and your family and work on your behalf. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-deer-baiting-ban/357.mp3' length='3248797' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Toxic Toys Town Hall</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-toxic-toys-town-hall/356</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-toxic-toys-town-hall/356</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

  

 Over the past two years we've heard a lot in the news about children's toys being recalled because they contained high levels of lead. Those include millions of common toys featuring characters like Elmo, Big Bird and Dora the Explorer; GeoTrax components; Barbie accessories; and Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway toys and parts. Yet Michigan has no laws on the books that protect our children from the dangers of lead in toys. 

  

 Lead poisoning has devastating effects on our children. Lead poisoning hurts a child's ability to learn and develop, a problem I am especially concerned about as a longtime educator working with students with special needs. It can cause learning disabilities, brain damage and behavioral problems - including violent behavior. Lead poisoning can even be fatal.

 That's why I voted for a plan last year that virtually eliminates the amount of lead allowed to be used in the toys our children play with.

  

 It appears that many of our children's toys, backpacks and lunchboxes also contain high levels of two other toxins - mercury and arsenic. It turns out that there are no laws regulating the amount of arsenic and mercury in children's toys and that needs to be fixed to protect our children's health.

 I support legislation that will eliminate arsenic and mercury from our children's toys. In the meantime, I want to invite you to bring some of your children's toys to a town hall meeting to have them tested for safety.

  

 The town hall meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 22 in Reese. It will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Reese Fire Hall, 1955 River Street. An expert from the Ecology Center will talk about how to avoid buying toys that contain lead and other dangerous chemicals, especially with the holidays coming up.  The presenter will bring a portable device that tests toys, so you can find out if they have lead or other toxins in them. I encourage you to take advantage of this free service coming to our community. A representative from the Michigan Department of Community Health will also present information about lead paint in our homes, which is another danger to our children. If you would like to know more about this town hall meeting or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. 

  

 The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

  

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-toxic-toys-town-hall/356.mp3' length='2213721' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Food Recall Alerts</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-food-recall-alerts/355</link>
	<pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-food-recall-alerts/355</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 Today I want to talk about an important way to help keep your family safe and healthy.  September marks the 14th annual National Food Safety Education Month. As part of this public awareness campaign, the Michigan Department of Agriculture has launched a new e-mail alert system to notify consumers when food-related recalls and warnings are issued. 

 Although the exact number of foodborne illness in the United States is unknown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates as many as 5,000 deaths and 76 million illnesses each year are directly linked to foodborne illnesses. The e-mail alerts will tell consumers about Class I food recalls, which are situations where the food has been deemed unsafe or unfit for human consumption. In these recalls, the food may cause serious adverse health consequences or death if consumed. The number of Class I food recalls affecting Michigan is on the rise. Between fiscal year 2006 and 2007, the number of these recalls increased from 62 recalls to 97. 

 To subscribe to the email alert messaging system, visit Michigan.gov/ mdatextalerts. You can have the alert sent to your phone or PDA or to your e-mail account.

 Michigan's food safety program is unique and comprehensive because all of its programs covering food regulations from farm to table are housed in one agency:  the Michigan Department of Agriculture; 

 Ag Department employees enforce Michigan's comprehensive food safety laws and regulate the food supply at the state's almost 18,000  food-processing plants, retail grocery stores, convenience stores, markets, and fair concessions. In partnership with local health departments, MDA staff ensures the 31,000 state licensed restaurants are serving safe food to Michigan's consumers and visitors.

 I will continue working hard to make sure that the Department of Agriculture has the resources it needs to inspect our food processing and restaurant facilities and keep them safe. I am also proud to have supported laws that State Representative John Espinoza spearheaded this year that updated Michigan's milk laws. These new laws are protecting our consumers while making sure that our milk producers can remain competitive in the industry. If you would like to learn more about the milk industry legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol.

 Don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

  

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-food-recall-alerts/355.mp3' length='3401770' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Protecting Wheat Farmers</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-protecting-wheat-farmers/354</link>
	<pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-protecting-wheat-farmers/354</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 Farming is a tough business - one that involves a lot of risk.  That's why many farmers invest in crop insurance. This year, many Thumb-area farmers were hit hard by rains that damaged their wheat and their ability to sell it at good prices.  But because of the outdated way the federal crop insurance system determines wheat quality, farmers aren't being adequately compensated. 

  

 Farmers pay good money for this insurance, and they deserve to have the most scientific methods used to measure their losses and help them through tough times like these.  What happened is that heavy rains this year caused many wheat kernels to prematurely germinate, or sprout, before harvest.  This degraded the wheat and damaged its quality. Currently, the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. accepts only a subjective "sprout count" to determine the quality of wheat. 

  

 Grain elevators and millers, though, use a scientific "falling numbers" test that often results in a lower determination of quality - and market price. This discrepancy forces wheat producers to take the full financial loss, despite having purchased crop insurance.  I am pushing for the government to use both methods of measuring wheat quality in order to more fairly compensate farmers. 

  

 State Representative John Espinoza and I asked our U.S. Representatives and Senators to intervene immediately. I have also introduced a resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives calling for this change in the crop insurance system. This would result in higher crop payments as well as protection of our agricultural community as a whole. We have to make sure that individual farmers AND the wheat industry survive this setback.

  

 In the U.S., white wheat is grown primarily in Michigan and the Northwest.  Major Michigan employers such as Kellogg cereal company rely on Thumb-area farmers for their white wheat. If white wheat is seen as too risky to grow, and farmers don't have confidence that the federal insurance system will back them up, Michigan could lose this specialty crop and all the jobs that it produces.  The federal government must immediately re-evaluate its payout policy for wheat crops so we can create and maintain jobs and keep our economy moving in the right direction. 

  

 As your voice at our State Capitol, I will continue to work hard to ensure that our agricultural community can grow and prosper.

 Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  You can also visit my Web site to see updates on my work and sign up for my e-newsletter. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-protecting-wheat-farmers/354.mp3' length='3394247' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Hire Michigan First</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-hire-michigan-first/353</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-hire-michigan-first/353</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 As your State Representative, my top priority is creating jobs for our workers right now and protecting the good jobs we already have. My colleagues and I have passed an aggressive job-creation package called Hire Michigan First that will help achieve these urgent goals. 

 Currently, Michigan gives millions of dollars in tax incentives each year to bring companies from other states here. But too often, this state money hasn't paid off in jobs for our workers. Taxpayer dollars should create jobs for our residents, not for people from other states or illegal immigrants. 
 
 Hire Michigan First fixes this problem by giving preference for state tax breaks to companies that invest in Michigan and hire Michigan workers. The plan requires companies that receive state construction contracts to hire 100 percent of their workers from Michigan. It's hard to believe, but right now, they only have to hire half of their workers from Michigan.

 The plan also requires companies that take state economic development incentives to report on who they are hiring. This will ensure that Michigan workers are, indeed, being put first. The Hire Michigan First plan also cracks down on companies that choose to hire illegal immigrants. Under the plan, those companies will have to pay back incentives they already received, and will be barred from future state contracts.
 Michigan has the best workers in the nation, and we must do everything we can to ensure that taxpayer money rewards the hiring of Michigan workers.  Passing the Hire Michigan First plan will make sure that we're creating jobs for our own hard-working residents and will get more of our struggling workers back on the job right now. We have to move forward quickly on smart solutions like the Hire Michigan First plan.

 Unfortunately, this plan is still waiting for action in the Senate. I urge Senate leaders to act immediately and put the Hire Michigan First plan into effect for the sake of our working families. We cannot afford to wait. 

  If you would like to learn more about the Hire Michigan First plan or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.  While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol.
 
 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-hire-michigan-first/353.mp3' length='3000947' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Senior Medical Alert</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-senior-medical-alert/352</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-senior-medical-alert/352</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

  

 Most of us have a friend or loved one who either has Alzheimer's disease or is caring for someone who does.  More than 180,000 Michigan residents have Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association. As our society continues to age, that number will only go up. The stress on caregivers is enormous, and much of that involves worrying about how to keep their loved one safe. 

 Unfortunately, more than 60 percent of people with dementia will wander at some point, and many of those will become lost.  Wandering happens for a number of reasons - including confusion, restlessness, or being convinced that they have to fulfill a former job or family responsibility. When a disoriented senior wanders away, they are in extreme danger. We need to do all we can to stop these situations from having a tragic end.

 My House colleagues and I have passed a plan that will help locate at-risk seniors more quickly. A quick response is essential to finding missing individuals. It is also imperative that law enforcement agencies work with local TV and radio stations and newspapers' print and online editions to get the word out to the public quickly.

 The Senior Medical Alert plan that the House passed ensures that these essential steps take place when at-risk seniors wander away. 

  

 The legislation would require local law enforcement agencies to issue missing persons reports on at-risk seniors as soon as they receive information, much like Amber Alerts for missing children. As with the national Amber Alert program, the plan would also require police agencies to work closely with media and transportation officials to alert citizens about the missing senior. On a local level, our sheriff's departments and other agencies do a great job of responding quickly. This plan only helps improve those efforts. And it makes sure that those of us who have vulnerable loved ones elsewhere in the state enjoy that same protection.

 Several states have passed similar legislation, including Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Colorado and North Carolina. Our plan, called the Senior Medical Alert or the Silver Alert, now awaits action in the State Senate. 

 Every family who cares for a relative with Alzheimer's works to prevent wandering and hopes their loved one never becomes lost. This plan will give families peace of mind that if this does happen, law enforcement agencies will respond quickly and thoroughly to get the word out and help bring their loved one home.

 I welcome your thoughts, concerns and ideas about protecting our seniors or any other issues that are important to you and your family. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-senior-medical-alert/352.mp3' length='3330683' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Affordable Foods Town Hall</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-affordable-foods-town-hall/348</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-affordable-foods-town-hall/348</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 During these tough times, we're all looking for ways to save money while feeding our families the best-tasting, most nutritious food possible.  Fortunately, we are very blessed here in the Thumb to have fresh, inexpensive fruits and vegetables being grown all around us. We can make our food dollars go farther by shopping at local farmers markets and roadside stands. 

 Our local economy benefits, too, when we spend our money in our own community and support our farmers.  On Monday, August 18th, I will hold a town hall meeting to help residents learn how to make the most of locally grown food for our families. Joining me will be State Representative Jeff Mayes of Bay City and a great panel of presenters who will share valuable information.

 The town hall meeting will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18 at Davenport University in Caro. Dr. Hal Hudson, director of Tuscola County MSU Extension, will share information about the nutritional benefits of locally grown produce.

 He'll also talk about Project Fresh, which provides coupons for families eligible for the Women, Infants and Children - or WIC - program to buy fresh vegetables and fruits. I'm especially excited about having Dr. Hudson at the forum because he can share his own experiences of being a farmer and bringing products to market. Also speaking will be representatives from the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the state's Select Michigan program, which encourages shoppers to buy Michigan-grown produce.

 Thumb native Richard "Cousin Don" Hobson, a market master and independent farmer, will also participate in the forum.

 I'm very excited about bringing people together for this chance to learn more about connecting farmers and consumers.  As someone who has lived in the Thumb my whole life, I am committed to supporting our agricultural community. Earlier this year I helped expand the state's promotion and marketing of our farmers' products. 

 The recent increase in farmers markets in our area is another part of encouraging our farmers' entrepreneurial spirit. The growth of these markets in our communities stimulates our area's economic development and provides more options for families like mine and yours that want the best, most inexpensive food.

 I encourage anyone who wants to learn how to save money while feeding their family well to attend this meeting on August 18.

 If you have any questions about this forum, or any other concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can call my office, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-affordable-foods-town-hall/348.mp3' length='3027278' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Expanding No Worker Left Behind</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-expanding-no-worker-left-behind/344</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-expanding-no-worker-left-behind/344</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. 

 Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

  

 Recently the state House voted to expand the No Worker Left Behind program, which is marking its first anniversary.  This new $15 million expansion has been signed into law as part of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth budget.  The No Worker Left Behind program provides training for residents who need to learn new skills to make a living in Michigan's new economy.  Thousands of unemployed residents will be prepared to land good-paying jobs available right now in high-demand fields. The program provides up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program. Participants earn a certification or degree needed in a high-demand occupation or gain the skills needed to start their own businesses.

  

 More than 31,000 residents have enrolled in No Worker Left Behind since the state started the program with federal funding last year. Eleven thousand residents have finished their training but more than 9,000 Michigan residents remain on waiting lists.  

  

 With this additional state investment, we can move more unemployed and underemployed folks off those waiting lists and into good-paying jobs.   In addition, the state has secured $44 million in new federal funding for the No Worker Left Behind program.  And part of the new state funding will be used for adult basic education, remedial education or other training that some workers need to prepare them for post-secondary study or new careers.  The second year of the program will also have a strong focus on renewable energy and green-collar jobs. 

 The new Green Jobs Initiative will support training for jobs in renewable energy industries including wind and biofuels.

  

 The state will partner with employers and community colleges to create the training programs needed to help renewable energy job providers succeed in Michigan.

  

 A new Web site, michigan.gov/greenjobs, will serve as a clearinghouse for information on internships and jobs, education, and training opportunities. The Green Jobs Initiative within the No Worker Left Behind program is another way to help make sure that we are attracting renewable energy jobs to Michigan - rather than allowing these jobs to go to other states. This effort will add even more impact to our Thumb-area communities' position as Michigan's leader in wind energy and key player in other renewable energy technologies.

  

 To find out more about the No Worker Left Behind program, you can call Thumb Area Michigan Works at 989-635-3561 or visit www.michigan.gov/nwlb.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

  

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-expanding-no-worker-left-behind/344.mp3' length='3544294' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Legislative Reforms</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-legislative-reforms/343</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-legislative-reforms/343</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 We all know that these are tough times, with many working families struggling to make ends meet. As we work to create good-paying jobs and turn our economy around,  we also have to cut state spending wherever possible. That's why I support cost-saving measures that include cutting lawmakers' pay and taking away their lifetime health care.

 I voted to pass a House plan that cuts legislators' pay by 5 percent. I also voted to end the outrageous perk of giving lawmakers free health care for the rest of their lives after working for only six years. There's no other job that offers a benefit like that and as public servants, legislators should not receive that kind of special treatment.

 I also voted for a plan that cuts the salaries of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state. The plan takes away free lifetime health care for these four officials as well.  

 A plan I sponsored that has already made a difference is one that ended the ridiculous practice of giving free state cars to dozens of judges. The state had been spending more than $400,000 a year on taxpayer-funded vehicles for Supreme Court justices, Appeals Court judges and court staff members. The vehicles were not limited to business use; they could be used for personal errands such as shopping trips, golf outings and even vacations.

 I also voted to ban the personal use of official state vehicles issued to the auditor general, directors of state agencies, and other state employees.

 Last year the House cut its own budget by 5 percent, saving the state $3 million. The savings plan required lawmakers and their staff to pay more for health care, banned representatives from using state funds for out-of-state travel and cut positions in the Michigan House. 

 I will keep working hard to cut state spending so we can focus our resources on our most urgent goals: creating good-paying jobs and getting our economy moving in the right direction. We must be very careful about spending taxpayer money, and we should focus on providing services for people not perks for politicians.

 If you would like to learn more about my work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-legislative-reforms/343.mp3' length='3008888' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Entrepreneurs Mean Business</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-entrepreneurs-mean-business/342</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-entrepreneurs-mean-business/342</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 My top priority is creating good-paying jobs as we turn Michigan's economy around. Part of that mission involves attracting major employers, especially in emerging industries such as renewable energy. We must be aggressive about bringing high-quality companies to Tuscola and Huron counties. 

 At the same time, we need to keep nurturing our homegrown talent and making it possible for residents to start their own businesses. Many people don't realize that small businesses are actually the heart of our state's economy. In fact, small business entrepreneurs make up 98 percent of all Michigan employers. Many experts say that if they had to pick one factor that is most essential to Michigan's recovery, it is developing a stronger culture of entrepreneurship.

 Being an entrepreneur doesn't mean having a lot of money, or even being smarter than everybody else.  It simply means having a vision,  having a plan to make that vision a reality and working hard every day to make that happen. America was built on entrepreneurs - people willing to take a risk and go for it. 

 The U.S. Marine Corps uses a decision-making approach called the 70 percent solution to manage the reality of risk. The Marines act as soon as they have a plan with a good chance of success because they know that waiting for the perfect plan means never acting at all.

 New businesses are like seedlings. Some will take root and grow and some won't make it. But the seeds that aren't planted have no chance at all. We're fortunate to have two innovative local resources to help entrepreneurs succeed. In Huron County, we have one of the state's few business incubators. 

 This kitchen incubator at the Huron Area Technical Center gives folks access to a state-licensed kitchen to start their business. And Tuscola County is the only place in the state offering the Enterprise Facilitation Project, which provides free business coaching services in connection with the internationally known Sirolli Institute. The project helps residents who want to start their own business or expand it. 

 If you want to know more about starting your own business, I encourage you to contact the Huron or Tuscola county Economic Development Commission. 

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site to keep updated on the work I'm doing. 

 The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-entrepreneurs-mean-business/342.mp3' length='3241240' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Wind Turbine Day</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-turbine-day/341</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-turbine-day/341</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 I am very excited about the first-ever Wind Turbine Day coming up this Saturday, July 19, in Elkton.  This event will help celebrate and promote the fact that our area is the home of Michigan's first commercial wind farm. I am so proud of our area, our community for coming together to make this tremendous milestone happen, and now for making this celebration happen. In fact, I see Wind Turbine Day itself more as a celebration of the greater Thumb community and the wonderful things that can happen when we all work together to move our region forward. This event is a great opportunity to do something I think we need to do more of: celebrate and promote our assets. 

 Wind Turbine Day includes family events and entertainment as well as a bicycle tour and 5k walk/run to attract tourists to come and learn more about our area. The publicity for the wind farm that started last year, and still continues, has put the statewide spotlight on us and we're still shining. 

 Michigan residents who had never heard of our counties, or who had thought of the Thumb as an irrelevant mass of empty land, now know the truth: The Thumb is an innovative leader in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. 

 My work in our state's Capitol, and especially on the House Energy and Technology Committee, gives me the chance to see that we have, indeed, cemented our position as Michigan's leader in wind energy. Just as the rest of Michigan will follow our example, we will attract more jobs and economic development to our area to follow our success. Our students and our educators, too, are way ahead of the rest of the state.

 Our young people are learning about renewable energy, and they see its relevance just by looking out the window. They are being prepared for good-paying jobs in this emerging industry. 

 Developing our renewable energy potential, including wind energy, is an important part of job creation and economic growth. Our continued achievements in renewable energy are a wonderful legacy we are passing on to our children, and to the Earth. 

 So, I encourage you to join the many others from outside our area and bring your family and friends to the first-ever Wind Turbine Day in Elkton on Saturday, July 19.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry" and I hope to see you Saturday at Wind Turbine Day in Elkton.

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-wind-turbine-day/341.mp3' length='3198642' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Fighting Identity Theft</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-fighting-identity-theft/339</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-fighting-identity-theft/339</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. 

 Identity theft is a fast-growing crime in Michigan and around the country. ID theft has surpassed drug trafficking as the No. 1 crime in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. About 10 million people are harmed by identity theft each year. This devastating crime can destroy credit ratings, cause families to lose their homes, and even lead to innocent residents being arrested and hauled off to jail. Recovering from identity theft is a frustrating, painful process that can take years and cost thousands of dollars.

 That's why I voted for a plan to help better protect Michigan residents from this crime and enable victims to recover the money they spend to get their lives back in order. The plan that my colleagues and I passed will allow identity theft victims to file civil suits to be compensated for the money they spend to repair their financial affairs and credit history. It will also require courts to order restitution.

 In addition, the plan requires businesses to have an identity theft prevention plan to keep our residents' most sensitive information safe. And it requires any data that includes unencrypted personal information to be destroyed when it is removed from the database of a business or agency. This plan will go a long way toward preventing identity theft and helping victims recover from it more quickly.

 I also voted last year for a plan to fight identity theft by allowing Michigan residents to place a security freeze on their credit report. That way, only YOU can authorize large purchases.  That plan has been awaiting action in the Senate since last year.

 As we work to increase our economic security by creating good-paying jobs now, we also must protect our residents' individual financial security. I urge the Senate to quickly approve these plans and help protect our residents from identity theft.

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.  While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 And remember to guard your personal information carefully, and shred your personal documents, so that YOU don't become a victim of identity theft.

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-fighting-identity-theft/339.mp3' length='2814119' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Family Comes First</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/family-comes-first/340</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/family-comes-first/340</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm State Representative Terry Brown.

 We lead such busy lives these days that is can be easy to lose site of what's important.  We cannot forget that the core of our world remains the same.  We cannot forget that Family Comes First.  Our obligations as fathers and mothers as husbands and wives are the primary responsibilities that we must fulfill.  They are also precious opportunities to grow and become the best people we can be.  Keeping our families strong also gives us a chance to make the world a better place because change begins at home. 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/family-comes-first/340.mp3' length='480653' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Independence Day: Fireworks and Flags</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-independence-day-fireworks-and-flags/338</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-independence-day-fireworks-and-flags/338</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 The Fourth of July always brings out lots of fireworks and flags.  I've even seen some fireworks displays in the shape of an American flag. And cakes crafted to look like flags.  It can be fun to express our patriotism in a variety of ways. But it's important to remember that the American flag is a serious symbol that deserves respect. In fact, according to the official Flag Code, the flag is actually considered a living thing, because it represents a living country. 

 That's why, when you wear a lapel flag pin, you're supposed to wear it on the left lapel - close to your heart.  That's why, too, when you're at a parade with the flag passing by, you should stand and place your right hand over your heart. Here are some other rules you might not know, from the U.S. Flag Code.

 The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes. And no part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.

 One of the most important rules is that when the flag is in "such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way." I'm always saddened to see a tattered, worn flag hanging from a home or flagpole. If you have a flag ready to be retired, please contact your local VFW post to see if they can dispose of it with the dignity it deserves.

 I also feel strongly that while flying a flag is patriotic, it's only a small part of being a true and active American. One way to be true patriots is to support our fellow Americans serving overseas and their families back here at home. Many families in our communities are struggling while their loved ones are away, fighting for our freedom - fighting for our independence on this Independence Day. We should all do whatever we can to support them - whether that's helping financially, cooking some meals or giving Mom a break from the kids. Small actions can make a big difference.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 I hope you and your family have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

 Make it a great Independence Day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-independence-day-fireworks-and-flags/338.mp3' length='2907742' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Saving the Great Lakes Ourselves</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-saving-the-great-lakes-ourselves/336</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-saving-the-great-lakes-ourselves/336</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."  

  

 Those of us who treasure Lake Huron and appreciate its special place in our lives and in Michigan's economy have had our share of frustration and even anger as we've watched various threats take their toll our most precious resource.  We've seen lots of studies; we've heard promises of federal money that didn't materialize. It would be easy to lose hope of restoring the Great Lakes. 

  

 Yet we know, first of all, that too much is at stake for us to give up.  Second, we in the Thumb are not the kind of people who give up - especially not on  something this important. And we also know that as stewards of this great gift, it's up to US to take the necessary actions to save the Great Lakes. We can't wait around for others to do what must be done.

  

 The Michigan United Conservation Clubs recently identified 16 priority actions that Michigan must take immediately to help restore the Great Lakes. We have made significant progress on two of these 16 priorities. 

  

 One is approval of the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, which will ban diversions of water outside of the Great Lakes Basin. My colleagues and I in the state House of Representatives passed this plan in May and sent it to the Senate for approval. Excessive phosphorus contributes to algae overgrowth, which becomes muck. On that front, a House panel has unanimously passed my plan to severely restrict the use of lawn fertilizer containing more than a minimal amount of phosphorus.

           

 We all have a role to play in saving the Great Lakes. The actions that we take every day make a difference. We have a tremendous responsibility - and an urgent opportunity - that we must act on. I am holding a town hall meeting on Monday, June 30, where you can learn more about steps that we each can take that will make a difference.  

  

 At the meeting, experts from the National Wildlife Federation will talk about how changes in the Great Lakes ecosystem are threatening our water, our wildlife, our fish population, and our economy.  And we'll all learn about what we can do to help.  That meeting is at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 30, in Port Austin at the Civic Center.  I hope to see you there.

  

 If you would like to learn more about this town hall meeting or my other work, please visit my Web site.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-saving-the-great-lakes-ourselves/336.mp3' length='2712137' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Renewable Energy Education</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-education/335</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-education/335</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 I am always thrilled to see how excited and knowledgeable our Huron and Tuscola students are about renewable energy.  I'm also very proud of our educators for leading the way. I am working hard to turn that passion and preparation into good-paying jobs for our young people. 

  

 One of the ways to do that is to further integrate training for jobs in this rapidly growing industry into our school curriculum. I am fighting for a plan to invest $200,000 in state education funding that will help do that.  

  

 Under the plan, Huron and Tuscola Intermediate School Districts would each receive $100,000 to provide engineering and science programs in partnership with local renewable energy production facilities. Those sites could include wind farms, ethanol plants, biomass facilities and more. We all remember the traditional three R's of Education, 'reading, 'riting, and 'rithmatic. Today we know that to foster student success in high school, three other R's are also critical: they are Relationships, Rigor and Relevance. 

  

 High schools that successfully engage students in learning have many things in common. They set high academic standards and provide rigorous, meaningful instruction and support. My initiative provides connections with highly skilled workers and requires high math and science standards. And by looking out our windows, whether it is the wind farm in Huron County or the ethanol plant in Tuscola County, we can see with our own eyes that the renewable energy field is relevant.

  

 This expanded training will give our students a head start on taking advantage of the growing opportunities in renewable energy production here in the Thumb and across Michigan. It will help our schools continue to produce a well-educated, technologically advanced work force that will persuade the highest-quality job providers to set up shop right here.  Expanding renewable energy education is an investment well worth making for our young people, our businesses and our communities.

  

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I also encourage you to visit my Web site to learn more about other renewable energy plans I am supporting. In addition, you can find information about wind energy, methane digesters and cellulosic ethanol on my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol and in the community. I am here to serve you and your family and work on your behalf. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-education/335.mp3' length='3200731' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Stopping Copper Thieves</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-stopping-copper-thieves/334</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-stopping-copper-thieves/334</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 As the price of copper and other scrap metals continues to skyrocket, metal thieves are finding new ways to victimize our farmers, our businesses and our residents.  That is why I have introduced a tough new plan to combat this growing problem.  

  

 Thieves have been hitting local farming operations and agri-businesses, ripping out copper irrigation systems and other aluminum or steel equipment. The Michigan Farm Bureau estimates the cost of copper theft at more than $2 million, not including the production and crops that farmers lose while they wait for replacements. Now these metal thieves are getting even more brazen. We heard recently about shameless thieves stealing metal placards and flower vases from local headstones. 

 The newest trend is to steal catalytic converters, which have small amounts of precious metals, from the underside of our vehicles. Victims of this theft have to pay about $2,000 to replace that equipment.

  

 Metal thieves are tough to catch because they usually operate at night and often in remote areas. The key is instead to shut down their ability to turn stolen metal into quick cash. My plan, which was recently approved by a House committee and sent to the House floor for a vote, will help do that. 

  

 The plan will do four things. First, it requires that payment for scrap metal be made by check or electronic means - not cash. Second, my plan requires dealers to make a copy of a seller's driver's license or state ID card, so that authorities can identify those who are selling stolen metal. 

  

 Third, my plan broadens the industries that are protected against metal theft by basing penalties on repeat violations, rather than the source of the theft.  For example, agricultural machinery and irrigation systems are not categories that are included in the current law. And fourth, the plan increases penalties for secondhand dealers and junk dealers who knowingly buy or sell stolen metals. 

  

 The vast majority of scrap dealers want nothing to do with criminals trying to sell stolen metals at their establishments. This new law will protect dealers who are doing the right thing by cracking down on those who are not. 

  

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

  

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.  Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-stopping-copper-thieves/334.mp3' length='3036672' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry:  Congratulating Our Graduates</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-congratulating-our-graduates/332</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-congratulating-our-graduates/332</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 This week I want to congratulate all our young people who are graduating from high school.  This is a proud moment in your life, a milestone you have worked hard for many years to achieve.  You've undoubtedly encountered challenges along the way, whether big or small, and you found a way to solve those challenges and meet your goal.  I am proud of all of you, and I hope you enjoy your special day.

 Since becoming a State Representative, I have had the privilege of participating in quite a few special days for young people in our community.  Being invited to these events is always an honor and although I can't attend them all, I cherish these opportunities.  It gives me such joy to see all the wonderful things that our young people all around the area are doing whether these are Eagle Scout ceremonies, FFA award banquets, or other celebrations, they all share a common theme: good kids doing good work. 

 We have some of the most hard-working, intellectually curious and just plain great young people in Michigan.  I saw this repeatedly over the past year as I visited classes around Tuscola and Huron counties and spoke at school assemblies.  

 The kids asked amazing questions and showed a strong interest in our state government - a stronger interest than many adults do.  I believe we are in good hands with these young people as our future leaders.  We should all feel proud of the graduates we are sending out into the world.

 Educators, parents, coaches, mentors, bosses, community members - everyone who has had a role in these young people's lives deserves credit for their success.  Graduates, all the people who have supported you will still be there for you in the coming years.  Your parents have tried to give you roots and wings - but you don't have to give up one for the other.  Now it is up to you to choose your path. 

 You will find that life is less about monumental decisions and more about the dozens of little choices we make each day.  Those choices reflect who you are - and they determine who you are.  No matter where you go from here, and no matter what pressures and changes come your way, never stop listening to your heart and your head. Never stop becoming who you are.

  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day, and congratulations, graduates!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-congratulating-our-graduates/332.mp3' length='3093120' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry:  Youth Farm Jobs</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-youth-farm-jobs/328</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-youth-farm-jobs/328</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 With summer almost here, we have two important needs to consider in our community: Our young people will need summer jobs, and our farmers will need seasonal help.

 Marv Pichla, the director of Thumb Area Michigan Works, put these two needs together and saw an opportunity.  Marv has organized a new pilot program to assemble crews of young people and put them to work on farms as needed.  Teens ages 16 through 21 will be available to do tasks such as hoeing, baling hay or straw, cleaning up in the fields and detassling corn.

 ThumbWorks will work with a private employment agency, which means that farmers don't have to worry about setting up the crews, managing them or putting the teens on payroll.

 Farmers can hire these crews for one task at a time, because farmers do not always necessarily need part-time or full-time employees for a particular job, and they may need extra help on short notice, depending on the weather or time constraints.  For young people, this project offers a job that involves outdoor work  and a flexible schedule that can fit around sports, camp or family vacations. 

 Many of us who grew up in the Thumb did farm work in our youth, and there is a definite feeling of pride in experiencing that connection to our land and to our way of life.  And there is no better place for our young people to learn a strong work ethic than from our farmers, whose livelihood demands a level of hard work and dedication that is seen in few other professions.  Our whole community will benefit from this program, because we can fill our farmers' labor needs with local workers.  It's also essential that we support our farmers because agriculture is the bedrock of our economy.  Although this program is aimed toward young people, this opportunity is open to workers of any age.

 ThumbWorks also does have part-time and full-time workers available to help with agribusiness needs.  To sign up for a work crew, or to request workers for your farm, contact the ThumbWorks administrative office.  The ThumbWorks phone number is 989-635-3561.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I also encourage you to visit my Web site to learn about the work I am doing and to sign up for my e-newsletter.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.  Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-youth-farm-jobs/328.mp3' length='3160320' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Memorial Day Message</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-memorial-day-message/327</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2008 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-memorial-day-message/327</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."  

 Memorial Day weekend is almost here, and many of us are understandably excited about having a 3-day weekend.  We look forward to cookouts with friends, or a trip with our family to kick off summer - a little extra time away from work or school.

 It's important that we spend some of that time, though, reflecting on the real reason for Memorial Day - and that is to honor the brave men and women who have died in service to our country.  Many people don't realize that Memorial Day was originally observed on May 30 - not the fourth Monday of May - every year.  And it was originally called "Decoration Day."  This tradition goes way back to the 1860s, after the Civil War ended.  Many communities were grieving then, and holding tributes to their fallen loved ones so it is hard to say exactly where Decoration Day started. 

 The official proclamation came in 1868 from the leader of the Union veterans, a group called the Grand Army of the Republic.  He declared May 30 a day for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.  

 Over the next century, these May 30  "Decoration Day" observances spread to veterans cemeteries across the country, honoring those lost in all wars.  In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May.  On this day, we honor the sacrifice made by hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans.

 Every one was somebody's brother or sister, daughter or son, wife or husband, mom or dad.  We can show our gratitude, and our respect, this weekend by attending a Memorial Day parade, helping to line a cemetery with flags, or putting flowers by the grave of a fallen hero who might otherwise go forgotten.

 I want to thank everyone who helps organize Memorial Day events, which allow all of us to pay tribute to the brave individuals who died for our freedom.  And I want to say, to those of you who have lost a loved one to war - we all owe a tremendous debt to you and your family.  America would not be the great country that it is, without the brave men and women who have given their lives to protect it.

 Our community's thoughts and prayers are with you this weekend.

 I'm State Representative Terry Brown.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 I am here to serve you and your family and work on your behalf.  Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."  

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-memorial-day-message/327.mp3' length='3265152' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: New Manufacturing Opportunities</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-new-manufacturing-opportunities/325</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2008 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-new-manufacturing-opportunities/325</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

  

 My top priority is creating good-paying jobs now and getting Thumb residents back to work.  One of the ways we can do that is by getting our local manufacturers involved in supplying components for the renewable energy industry.  We can revive our economy and quickly create good-paying jobs by putting our manufacturing expertise and infrastructure to new use.  A good example is the wind turbines being built around our state. 

  

 Millions of dollars are spent to make and assemble them, but most of the parts are being shipped in, which means the jobs are being created somewhere else.  We must keep these jobs in our own communities. 

  

 We have everything it takes to produce renewable energy components right here: a skilled workforce, an established network of suppliers, a close, rapidly growing market in our Midwestern and Canadian neighbors and easy access to the world market by seagoing vessels. 

  

 Our existing plants can easily be re-tooled to manufacture rotor blades, generators and the more than a dozen other components needed to build a turbine.  We can also manufacture components for other sectors of the renewable energy industry, such as solar panels or hydro-electric equipment.  Supporting renewable energy production in Michigan could create almost 35,000 manufacturing jobs, according to a report by the Renewable Energy Policy Project.  And 70 percent of those jobs would involve making wind turbines.  I want to make sure our local companies take advantage of these new opportunities. 

  

 That's why I encourage area manufacturers to attend a free workshop on May 22.  The workshop, the first of its kind in the Thumb, will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, May 22, in Marlette.  It will take place at ThumbWorks, 3270 Wilson Street.  The workshop is sponsored by a coalition of local and state economic and workforce development organizations.  It will cover not only the wind energy industry but also solar energy systems, biomass and biofuels, and hybrid vehicles.  Participants are asked to register by Monday, May 19. 

  

 For more information or to register, contact the Huron County Economic Development Corporation, which is coordinating registrations.  Their phone number is (989) 269-6431. 

  

 I want to thank Carl Osentoski and Jim McClosky, directors of Huron and Tuscola's EDC's and Marv Pichla Director of Thumb Area Michigan Works for their leadership in making this workshop happen.  

 Information about the workshop is also listed on my Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown.

  

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.  Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-new-manufacturing-opportunities/325.mp3' length='3609216' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking With Terry: Mother's Day Message</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-mothers-day-message/313</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-mothers-day-message/313</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 Mother's Day is coming up this weekend, and I appreciate my mom now more than ever.  My mom was widowed when I was 13, the oldest of four kids.  My youngest brother was just about 2 years old.  I can hardly imagine what it was like for her, facing not only the incredible grief of suddenly losing her husband in an auto accident, but now having to raise these four kids on her own.  And at least one of us was not the easiest child...

 If we were a burden to her, though, we never knew it.  My mom knew she had a job to do - the most important job in the world - and she went forward and did it.  She made sure we felt loved, and safe, and that we never went without.  She made enormous sacrifices for us. 

 After I became a parent myself, I had a better understanding of just how hard it must have been for her.  I am amazed at the strength my mother had then, and throughout the years since and I thank God every day that my mom remains a big part of my life.

 My wife Carol is another example of an incredibly nurturing woman who is always there for her children - our children - despite the many demands of today's world.  There are women all around the Thumb who work hard every day.  Mothers who go home exhausted at night but somehow find the energy to read that bedtime story yet one more time.

 Mothers who stay up late, waiting for that teenager with the new driver's license to pull into the driveway.  Mothers who skip lunch so their kids can eat instead, because the money just won't stretch til payday.  Mothers who are on their own for some reason, like my mom was, focusing only on making their kids feel loved and bringing them up right.  

 This Mother's Day, I want to thank my Mom, my wife and EVERY mother in our community.  Thank you all for all the work you do, day in and day out. Thank you for all the caring for our children and doing all the special things that only a mother can do.  

 It is very appropriate that Mother's Day comes in springtime, because childhood is the most important growing season of our lives - and you are the person who provides the nurturing our children need during that season.  

 I'm State Representative Terry Brown.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry." Oh yeah, Mom?  Have a fantastic Mother's Day.  And I hope we all learn to make each day a great day.

  

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-mothers-day-message/313.mp3' length='2963328' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Limiting Phosphorus Fertilizer</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-limiting-phosphorus-fertilizer/308</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-limiting-phosphorus-fertilizer/308</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 Over the years, there has been a lot of studying of the muck problem in Saginaw Bay and a lot of talking about it. I say it is time for action.  Our quality of life, our property values, and our entire state's economic future are all at risk if we don't solve this problem.  Thousands of jobs in the tourism, boating, fishing, agriculture and shipping industries rely on healthy Great Lakes water. 

 There is no quick fix to healing Lake Huron. We know, though, that excessive phosphorus plays a key role in causing algae overgrowth. Just one pound of phosphorus flowing into the lake can cause 500 pounds of algae to grow over the course of a summer. These giant algae blooms suck the oxygen out of the water, creating "dead zones" for fish. And when the algae blooms die, they wash up on shore and end up as smelly muck. 

 We know that one source of excessive phosphorus is runoff from lawn fertilizer. Most Michigan lawns already have enough phosphorus, so the additional amount in fertilizer tends to wash into our waters. That is why I have introduced a plan to put strict limits on the use of fertilizer with phosphorus on residential lawns. 

 My legislation makes exceptions for using phosphorus fertilizer when needed. For example, it could be used when soil tests show there is not enough phosphorus in the lawn, or when a new lawn is just being established. Some Michigan counties, including some in the Thumb, are enacting or exploring their own ordinances to ban or restrict the use of lawn fertilizer that contains phosphorus. However, a statewide law is a better way to go because it avoids the problem of having a range of rules to keep track of. With one statewide law, residents and fertilizing companies will be clear on the guidelines. 

 Limiting phosphorus runoff from lawn fertilizer is just one step toward solving the muck problem. It's an important step, though, and one we can - and must - take immediately. 

 Before you fertilize your lawn, consider using MSU Extension's low-cost soil testing program. You can find out whether you need a phosphorus fertilizer, and you might find you need less fertilizer than you think.  That will save you money - and help save our Great Lakes.

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-limiting-phosphorus-fertilizer/308.mp3' length='2913408' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Renewable Energy Plan Passes</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-plan-passes/305</link>
	<pubDate>Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-plan-passes/305</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." As your voice at the state Capitol, I am focused on doing everything I can to create good-paying jobs for our workers today.

  

 Last week, the House passed a plan that will attract more renewable energy jobs to Michigan and bring major private investment to our communities.  This plan gives renewable energy companies the green light they have been waiting for to come set up shop in Michigan and create good-paying jobs for our workers.  It achieves this goal by requiring that a certain amount of Michigan's energy will come from clean, renewable sources such as wind, solar or biomass.

  

 The Thumb and the rest of Michigan have great renewable energy resources, but we need a renewable energy standard to attract major investors from around the world.  More than two dozen other states already have such a requirement, known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS.

  

 Currently, Michigan is losing out on thousands of 'green-collar' jobs and millions of dollars in investment that are going to those states. That's because companies locate in places where they know they can count on a stable demand for renewable energy, which they need before they can justify investing in multimillion-dollar projects.  This bipartisan House plan makes Michigan one of those desirable places to do business.  The plan establishes that 10 percent of the state's electricity must come from renewable sources by 2015.  As Michigan's leader in wind energy, the Thumb will be able to attract even more high-quality investors using this new economic tool.

  

 Creating a stable market for renewable energy is especially vital as we work to put Michigan's manufacturing plants to new use: making components for renewable energy equipment.  A recent study found that supporting renewable energy production in Michigan could create almost 35,000 manufacturing jobs - and 70 percent of those would involve making wind turbines.  The bipartisan House energy plan will help quickly turn the Thumb's renewable energy potential into jobs for our workers, income for Thumb-area farmers and businesses and economic growth for our communities. 

  

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

  

 While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at .

  

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-plan-passes/305.mp3' length='3202560' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking With Terry: Hire Michigan First</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-hire-michigan-first/304</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-hire-michigan-first/304</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 As your advocate in Lansing, my top priority is creating and protecting good-paying jobs today for our workers. Our working families have been hit hard by years of downsizing and outsourcing that are threatening to destroy Michigan's middle class. The state must do more to make sure that our workers have the opportunity to compete for good-paying jobs. 
 
 One effective way to do that is through the Hire Michigan First plan. Hire Michigan First is an aggressive job-creation package that I am fighting to put on the fast track in the Legislature. Currently, Michigan gives millions of dollars in tax incentives each year to bring companies from other states here. But too often, this state money hasn't paid off in jobs for our workers. Taxpayer dollars should create jobs for our residents, not residents of other states and countries.
 
 Hire Michigan First fixes this problem by requiring companies that receive state construction contracts to hire 100 percent of their workers from Michigan. The plan requires companies that take state economic development incentives to report on who they are hiring to ensure that Michigan workers are put first, encouraging transparency and accountability.  The Hire Michigan First plan also cracks down on companies that choose to hire illegal immigrants.  It requires those companies to pay back incentives they already received, and it bars them from future contracts.
 
 Michigan has the best workers in the nation, and we must do everything we can to ensure that taxpayer money rewards the hiring of Michigan workers.  The fight to protect our Thumb-area workers is my top priority, day in and day out. It is an urgent fight that we must wage on many fronts.  We must create and attract new good-paying jobs quickly, we must protect the good-paying jobs we have and keep them from leaving our state, and we must invest in our workers to ensure they can obtain the good-paying jobs that are available.  I am working hard on all these fronts.
 
  If you would like to learn more about the Hire Michigan First plan or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.  While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol.
 
 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."
 
 Make it a great day!

]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-hire-michigan-first/304.mp3' length='2919936' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Wind Leases</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-leases/303</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-leases/303</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 As Michigan's leader in the wind energy industry, the Thumb is in a unique and exciting position.  Now that the Harvest Wind Farm near Pigeon has started operating, we are receiving even more attention.  We should all be excited about the economic investment and jobs that the wind energy revolution is bringing to the Thumb.  At the same time, I want to make sure that our landowners' interests are protected. 

 Many farmers in the Thumb are leasing their land to wind energy companies and are very happy with the extra income they are getting.  And landowners can still farm almost all of the land except the small amount directly around the turbine.

 Signing a lease with a wind energy company is nothing to rush into, though.  If you are approached about leasing your land, don't feel pressured to sign a contract right away.  Wind-energy leases usually last at least 20 years, and often much longer. You will want time to talk with your family about this.  You will also want to talk with your neighbors about the kinds of offers they are getting.  And, most of all, you will want to consult with a qualified attorney and have that person look over the contract.  

 Various contracts have different terms.  They may offer lump sum payments, yearly lease payments based on acreage, or payments based on the number of turbines or the amount of electricity produced.  Keep in mind that many of these wind energy leases are option agreements.

 This means that while a company has rights to the land and pays to lease it, there is no guarantee that wind energy will be developed on the property.  Wind energy is a positive economic development for the Thumb.  And wind leases can be a great source of extra income for our farmers and landowners.  Just remember that you have the right to take your time before you sign any contract.  And please invest in the services of a good attorney to ensure that you are getting the best deal possible.

 On my Web site I have posted two resources that I hope will be helpful to folks considering leasing their land for wind energy.  One is a worksheet put together by several experts that will help you evaluate a wind lease.  The other is a PowerPoint presentation by MSU Professor Stephen Harsh that he shared at a recent meeting in Bad Axe.  My Web site is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-wind-leases/303.mp3' length='2915712' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: No Worker Left Behind</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-no-worker-left-behind/302</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-no-worker-left-behind/302</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

  

 My top priority is getting our Thumb-area workers into good-paying jobs as quickly as possible. As we work to create more good-paying jobs, we also have to invest in our workers and help them move into the good jobs that are already available. That's why I recently voted for a plan to expand Michigan's No Worker Left Behind program.

  

 No Worker Left Behind, which was started last year with $37 million in federal money, helps retrain unemployed or underemployed workers for jobs in high-demand fields. There is a gap between the kinds of jobs we have open in Michigan and the kinds of skills that many of our displaced workers have.

  

 No Worker Left Behind helps close this gap and get our workers back on their feet. Through this program, eligible Michigan workers can attend a community college or university for two years, tuition-free, to upgrade their skills. Workers earn a certificate or degree that qualifies them to work in certain high-demand fields where employers are scrambling to hire people with their credentials.

  

 Last year about 18,000 residents were enrolled in the program. But at least 10,000 workers are still on waiting lists all over the state. The plan that I voted for, which the House passed, invests an additional $40 million in No Worker Left Behind. By expanding the program quickly, we can get more of our workers off the waiting list and back on the job. This additional money for No Worker Left Behind comes from the refinancing of state bond debt, not from new taxpayer dollars.

  

 To qualify for the program, workers must either be currently unemployed ... or have received a notice of termination or layoff from employment ... or be working but have a family income is $40,000 or less per year. Residents can start the application process at their local Thumb Area Michigan Works Office. Investing in retraining programs is one of the best ways to help our working families get through these tough times. It will also help create the well-trained workforce we need to help our businesses thrive and stimulate economic growth in our communities.

  

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

  

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-no-worker-left-behind/302.mp3' length='3072384' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Promoting Agriculture</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-promoting-agriculture/300</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-promoting-agriculture/300</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[

    

 Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 My top priority is creating more good-paying jobs for our workers and bringing economic growth to our communities. One of the ways to do that is by investing in agricultural promotion, marketing and development programs. Agriculture is the second biggest industry in Michigan, and it's one of the cornerstones of our economy in the Thumb. We need to get more of our great Thumb products into new markets so we can increase sales. I also want to make sure that our farmers get top dollar for their products. State promotions such as Select Michigan and the Export Marketing program have been very successful in achieving these goals. However, many farmers have told me that these programs need to be expanded so they can serve more growers and operate in more parts of the state. I believe it's important to respond to our farmers' needs and provide the tools they need to succeed. Last week, the House approved my plan to invest $2 million to increase the state's agricultural marketing efforts. The plan uses money raised by refinancing tobacco settlement bonds - not new taxpayer dollars. These promotion programs have great rates of return. 

 Producers in the Export Marketing program have seen an increase in export sales of more than $11 million and have added 70 new jobs. Forty-one percent of growers report that they received price premiums and sold more products because of Select Michigan, which is a branding program that encourages shoppers to buy Michigan products by making them easy to identify in stores.

 My plan will open up these economic opportunities to more farmers. It will ramp up promotion of Thumb-grown products not just across the Michigan and across America. It will also help Thumb producers increase their exports to other countries as well. 

 The plan will also promote agri-tourism, a trend that attracts travelers seeking agricultural experiences on U-pick farms, cider mills, dairy farms, and more. Agri-tourism capitalizes on a growing desire by many people to learn more about where their food comes from and to reconnect with the land. The sooner we increase the promotion of our agricultural products, the faster we can create more jobs and see more economic growth in our communities.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Or, you can visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown.

  

 While you're there, please sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed of my work at the Capitol and events I have planned in our community. Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-promoting-agriculture/300.mp3' length='3027840' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry:  Parenting Awareness Month</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-parenting-awareness-month/299</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-parenting-awareness-month/299</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[

  Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to this week's edition of "Talking With Terry." 

 March is Parenting Awareness Month, and I want to talk for a few minutes about this job called parenting. Being a parent is the most important job in the world - and the toughest. We receive no training, and, so often, we're left on our own to figure out what to do at any given moment. Keeping our kids safe and healthy while raising them to be responsible adults is an enormous task. That's why it is so crucial that awareness be a foundation of our work as parents.

  

 We need, first of all, to be aware of our children's needs. They differ based on how old our kids are, and where they are developmentally. I was at the library many times as a young dad, trying to learn new ways dealing with my kids' changing needs. No matter what their age, our children need to know that we love and respect and appreciate them. They need to hear and see and feel that every single day. That goes for teenagers, too, even though they may act like they don't care. 

  

 We also need to be aware that our children learn by our example. ... They absorb what we do, not what we say.To be effective role models, we need to be the kind of people we want them to be. 

  

 Parents also must be aware of their own needs ... including getting enough rest, taking care of our own health, and getting a little time to ourselves.  I know these things are easier said than done.  Remember, though, to reach out to people who are ready and willing to support you and other parents in our community.

  

 That may be friends, neighbors, or people in your church or at local organizations.  You can find lots of resources at a local Web site called thumbresources.org. Finally, all of us as parents need to be aware that we're not perfect. We'll make mistakes - and our kids will usually understand, especially if we apologize. When you're at your breaking point, though, remember to stop - and take a break until you regain control of your emotions. No child deserves to be hurt, emotionally or physically.

  

 If you are overwhelmed with the very difficult job of being a parent, PLEASE reach out for help. Each county has a crisis line you can call 24 hours a day. In Tuscola County, the number is 1-800-462-6814.  In Huron County, the number is 1-800-356-5568.

  

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if you have any concerns or question. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

  

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-parenting-awareness-month/299.mp3' length='3151488' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Attracting Film Industry Jobs</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-attracting-film-industry-jobs/287</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-attracting-film-industry-jobs/287</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[

 Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 My top priority is creating good-paying jobs and improving our economy just as fast as possible.  I am fighting to ensure that Michigan make the most of every opportunity to attract employers to our state, and to the Thumb, especially. I am excited about a new bipartisan plan that will make Michigan one of the most convenient and most affordable places for film production companies to do business.

 This plan will immediately create jobs, bring income to businesses in our communities, and attract more tourists to our state.  Under the plan, Michigan filmmakers would enjoy a 40 percent tax credit, the biggest tax break for the film industry in the entire nation. 

 -training expense credits to make Michigan competitive.  After all, we want to show the world what Michigan has to offer. What better way to spread the word than on the big screen?

 The Thumb is a beautiful, geographically diverse place that can serve as a backdrop for all kinds of movies.  Picturesque lakeshores; dense forests; sandy beaches; crisp, clean rivers; acres and acres of snowy fields.  It's all there.  Small-town America; peaceful rural settings, even advanced renewable energy scenarios like our wind farms, the Thumb offers so much flexibility to filmmakers.  

 Now is the time to act.

 Actors and producers - including Michigan's own Jeff Daniels - testified at the Capitol last week about how this plan will be effective in attracting the film industry to Michigan. now to bring the film industry here and strengthen our economy and create more jobs for our workers.

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation, or listen to an interview about the plan with Jeff Daniels, please visit my Web site.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-attracting-film-industry-jobs/287.mp3' length='3078144' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Actor Jeff Daniels: Film Incentives Package Will Create Jobs Now</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/actor-jeff-daniels-film-incentives-package-will-create-jobs-now/283</link>
	<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/actor-jeff-daniels-film-incentives-package-will-create-jobs-now/283</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Jobs.  It will create jobs.  Instantly create jobs.  It will put people to work and what's real encouraging is all the phone calls I've been getting from L.A. producers who are asking, "is the incentive package going to pass?" because they will bring their film here.  Mitch Albom's got those same calls as has Mike Binder and Jan Lockwood at the Film Commission.  They're paying attention to what the state is doing and if the state does pass this, they will bring their movies here and they will need people on their crews. 

 Certainly all of the people that are still in the film and television industries such that it is in Michigan will instantly get work.  More work than they can handle, probably.  We will also take a lot of those kids that are thinking about film or television and we will stop them from moving to L.A. and getting in a long, long line of people from all over the country that have moved there.  And it will allow them the opportunity to stay here.  The Governor and the State Legislature and the MEDC have been saying, how do we keep people here, particularly our young people, this is one example of how we can do that. 

 What I like also is it's the arts.  It's showbusiness, emphasis on business, yes, but it's also taking the arts and the artists of this state, the film artists, the behind the scenes artists, the lighting, the staging, the construction crews who build the sets, the sound people, and the actors, and the younger actors and it takes those people and it says: we believe in you so much that we're going to pass this package and create a whole industry that didn't exist yesterday.  And if the state does that, I think they'll be applauded and at a time when Michigan needs all the positive news it can get, and certainly forward progress, I think that this would be a wonderful step in that direction. 

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/actor-jeff-daniels-film-incentives-package-will-create-jobs-now/283.mp3' length='1952640' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Fighting Imported Trash</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-fighting-imported-trash/279</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-fighting-imported-trash/279</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

  

 One of my top priorities is stopping the flood of Canadian and out-of-state trash that has been coming into Michigan for years.  The millions of tons of trash being trucked in year after year are filling up our landfills and threatening the safety and beauty of our state.  

 I recently discovered that the percentage of trash in our landfills that comes from outside of Michigan is actually increasing each year.  The amount of trash in our landfills that came from Canada and other states  was 14 percent in 1996.  Last year, the amount of imported trash in our landfills was 29 percent.  That's more than double. 

  

 In addition, according to a recent DEQ report, trash imports from states including Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin have increased.  The DEQ found that the largest importer of trash into Michigan is Canada - accounting for 19 percent of the total trash dumped here last year.  We cannot keep allowing other people to put our air, land and water at risk by dumping millions of tons of their trash here - it's as simple as that. 

 Our children and our grandchildren deserve better. 

  

 Just last week, three giant rigs full of trash headed for Michigan landfills crashed on an Ontario freeway, spilling tons of waste across the road and tying up traffic for hours.  That could have easily happened across the state line, and then their carelessness would have been our problem.  

  

 Michigan is a trash magnet for one reason: It's the cheapest dumping ground around.  The House passed a plan last year that will significantly reduce the amount of Canadian and out-of-state trash that is imported into Michigan.  The House plan will raise Michigan's dumping charge from the lowest in the region, forcing giant trash companies to take their waste elsewhere.  This plan is currently stalled in the Senate.  A similar plan worked to slash imports into Pennsylvania after the state raised its dumping charge in 2002.  Now Pennsylvania is sending more of its trash to - guess where? - Michigan.  Trash imported into Michigan from Pennsylvania increased most among all importers - an astounding 771 percent between 2006 and 2007.

  

 It is unacceptable that almost one-third of the trash that's filling up our landfills comes from outside our state.  We must act now to ensure that Michigan remains known as the Great Lakes State - not the Great Waste State.

  

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.  You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at .  I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at the Capitol.  Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

  

 Make it a great day!

 

  

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-fighting-imported-trash/279.mp3' length='3075840' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: College Savings Programs</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-college-savings-programs/274</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-college-savings-programs/274</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 
 
 As parents, we all want the best for our kids.  We want them to be able to compete for good-paying jobs when they grow up - jobs that allow them to provide well for themselves and their families.  And we know that in today's global economy, the best-paying jobs go to workers with a college education.  That's why we must do everything we can to make sure that our young people have the opportunity to go to college.
 
 A new U.S. Census survey shows that adults with less than a high school education earn an average of about $21,000 a year.  High school graduates earn an average of $31,000 a year - about $10,000 more than those who don't graduate.  When it comes to people who have a college degree, though, there is a giant increase in their average salary - all the way up to about $57,000 a year.  For a person working 40 years, the difference between being a high school graduate and a college graduate amounts to more than $1 million.
 
 It can be tough to save for a child's college education while also trying to pay the bills, especially in these tough times.  I encourage parents and others to consider one of the state's two programs that help families save for college and avoid the rising cost of tuition.  The Michigan Education Trust, or MET, lets you buy semesters of prepaid tuition for children to use at any Michigan public university or college.  That way, you lock in tomorrow's tuition at today's rates. 

 The other plan is called the Michigan Education Savings Plan, or MESP.  This plan allows people to set up a college savings account that is exempt from state and federal income tax.  The money that you put in this account grows faster than you might expect.  I invite you to join me on Monday, March 3, for a town hall meeting in Kinde to learn more about these college savings programs. 

 At the meeting, experts will explain the ins and outs of these programs, and you'll be able to ask questions and see which option can help you achieve your goals for your child.  The town hall meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 3, at the North Huron Schools Media Center in Kinde.  If you have any questions about the meeting, please feel free to contact me. 
 
 You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 You can also visit my Web site for information on this event, and for news from the Capitol and other events that I have planned in our community.  The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."
 
 Make it a great day!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-college-savings-programs/274.mp3' length='2789376' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: The Elder Financial Protection Plan</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-the-elder-financial-protection-plan/270</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-the-elder-financial-protection-plan/270</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown.  Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry".  Every year, thousands of Michigan seniors are abused by the very people who are supposed to take care of them. 

 Elder abuse takes many forms, including physical and emotional abuse and financial exploitation.  We've all heard about heartbreaking situations where a seniors is swindled out of their life savings.  Other times, seniors are abused or neglected so that a relative or another person can inherit their money faster.  We need to change our state's laws to stop tragedies like these from happening.  That's where the Elder Financial Protection Plan comes in.

 This plan will help protect seniors from predators who exploit them for their own financial gain.  The plan will empower people who suspect abuse, or see seniors being victimized, to intervene on their behalf.  And it will prevent those who abuse seniors from being able to profit off of a victim's estate.  The Elder Financial Protect Plan also creates an Elder Death Review Team to investigate suspicious deaths, which will stop abusers from getting away with murder.

 By enacting this plan, we will bring to light more cases like what happened to William Pickering.  Bill Pickering was a Bad Axe native who was in his 70s when he was befriended in Florida by a woman named Pearl Westmoreland.  Over time, as Alzheimer's disease took its toll on Bill's health, Westmoreland took over his finances.  She transferrred almost $300,000 of Bill's money into accounts that she controlled. 

 Thanks to the persistence of Bill's nephew, Jim Pickering of Bad Axe, Westmoreland was convicted in Florida last year of three felonies, including exploitation of an elderly adult in an amount exceeding $100,000.  Bill Pickering died a month before Westmoreland was arrested; he was 78.  Fortunately, Jim fought to hold this woman accountable for exploiting his uncle, and he didn't stop until justice was served. 

 Jim told me he is glad to hear about this new legislation, because he doesn't want to see what happened to his uncle happen to any other family.  The Elder Financial Protection Act will help us identify predators like Pearl Westmoreland who abuse our seniors and it will bring more of them to justice before it's too late.

 If you suspect a senior is being abused in any way, don't hesitate to report it.  You can start by contacting the Human Development Commission, or you can call your country's Department of Human Services. 

 Please contact my office for these phone numbers or other information about preventing and stopping elder abuse.

 You can contact me, toll-free at (888) 254-5284.  Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry", and let's all work together to keep our seniors safe and healthy. 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-the-elder-financial-protection-plan/270.mp3' length='3166041' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Buy Michigan First</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-buy-michigan-first/251</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-buy-michigan-first/251</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 As your state Representative, my top priority is creating good-paying jobs and jump-starting our economy. People sometimes ask me what they can do, as individuals, to contribute to Michigan's economic turnaround. Though some of the causes of this economic crisis are beyond our control, we have a role to play in transforming Michigan's economy. Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to buy Michigan-made products. 

 When we buy Michigan first, we help support the companies that create jobs and support our neighbors and our communities.  We are working to put our state's manufacturing infrastructure and expertise to new use, such as producing components for wind turbines. At the same time, we must not abandon Michigan's auto industry.   Buying cars made here supports workers all around our state - not just folks who work at the plants.  Buying Michigan-made cars helps businesses - including ones here in the Thumb - that supply auto parts and are involved in other aspects of the auto industry.  And the more that Michigan automakers know we are willing to buy their products, the more likely they are to produce the vehicles that we want.  You can find a list of Michigan-made products, including vehicles, on a website that's called www.BuyMichFirst.com.  That's Buy, M-I-C-H, First, dot com.

 BuyMichFirst.com also lists other Michigan-made products.  I encourage businesses in Tuscola and Huron counties that meet the requirements to register on the Web site.  

 Consumers can also visit two other Web sites that make it easy to find Michigan-made products. Those sites are www.BuyMichiganProducts.com and www.BuyMichiganNow.com. 

 Many Michigan-made products - especially crops grown here in the Thumb - are the finest ingredients for the food we feed our families. Other Michigan products make unique gifts for friends and relatives both near and far.  Others are some of the finest and safest products for us to drive or build our homes with.  

 We must work together to put Michigan's products and Michigan's workers first.  Let's spread the word about local companies and Michigan-made products that support our workers. Let's keep our money in our own communities. By investing in ourselves, we will jumpstart our economy and provide a good quality of life for all of Michigan's families. 

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Or, you can check my Web site at house.mi.gov/tbrown. While you are there, please sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed of my work. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." 

 Make it a great day! 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-buy-michigan-first/251.mp3' length='2969856' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Wind Energy Jobs</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-energy-jobs/250</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-energy-jobs/250</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."  

 I am more excited than ever about our area's growth in the renewable energy industry. Wind energy is the vehicle that will drive Michigan's economic transformation, and there is no doubt that the Thumb is in the driver's seat.  Developing our renewable energy potential has been one of my priorities since day one for one very critical reason: jobs.

 With the Thumb area being the site of the state's first commercial wind farm, the big players are ready to invest their millions of dollars and create good paying jobs here. We have the expertise. We have the skilled workers. We have the awareness that We can capture long-term economic benefits by working with responsible wind energy investors to create good-paying jobs for our people. And we know that if we don't, those jobs will go elsewhere.

 Now, there is one more piece that we, as a state, need to add, and that is something called a Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS. An RPS is a requirement that a certain percentage of energy produced in the state comes from renewable sources. As a member of the House Energy and Technology Committee, I recently voted for an RPS of 10 percent by 2015. This is a reasonable place to start, but we have to get this RPS in place soon. More than half the states already have an RPS, and they are the ones attracting thousands of good-paying renewable energy jobs. These are manufacturing jobs, construction jobs, high-tech research and development jobs, engineering jobs, and more.

 As soon as Michigan enacts an energy policy that includes an RPS, two of our state's utilities will begin to make a monumental investment: Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison will start investing 6 billion dollars.  That's billion with a B. This money will be spent, in good part, to purchase wind turbines and create wind farms to produce electricity. This investment alone will create 17,000 new jobs in the renewable energy industry.

 I am going to fight to make sure that we do not lose those jobs to other states. I am sick of seeing jobs that our workers need and deserve going to other states and countries. The Thumb started this wind energy revolution in Michigan, and our communities must reap the economic benefits.

 If you have questions about renewable energy or the RPS proposal, please feel free to contact me.

 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. 

 While you are there, please sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed of my work.  Thank you for listening.

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-wind-energy-jobs/250.mp3' length='3166848' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Thoughts on the State of the State Address</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/thoughts-on-the-state-of-the-state-address/234</link>
	<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/thoughts-on-the-state-of-the-state-address/234</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Well, I'm so excited because so many of the things that she talked about are things that maybe mid-Michigan, and the Thumb area in particular, have led the way on.  She talked about renewable energy.  Renewable energy, in my mind, mixes the best things in Michigan.  The two largest industries; manufacturing and agriculture.  And that's where we're at.  So, the Thumb area is where the rubber hits the road. Huron and Tuscola Counties are actually leading the way. 

 When she talked about education, I'm proud to say that we have among us in Huron and Tuscola County 4 schools out of the 1,600 in the nation that were identified as the best schools.  She talked about small schools, and the importance of small schools.  She's figuring out ways to incentivize that in other parts of the state.  We do it, they recognize that we're doing the right things.  So it's really important that we're bringing the message home of hope, and working together.  And that's really exciting to me. 

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/thoughts-on-the-state-of-the-state-address/234.mp3' length='920832' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Boosting Small Businesses</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-boosting-small-businesses/229</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-boosting-small-businesses/229</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 Small businesses make up the majority of companies operating in the Thumb.  They are the backbone of our economy, and we must do everything we can to support them and help them grow. Last week I voted for a plan that will help them do that.
 
 The plan that passed the House allows small businesses to participate in the state's bulk-purchasing program. Tapping into the state's buying power will help our small businesses cut their costs on products and services. Since small businesses tend to operate on extremely tight budgets, this cost-cutting program can make a big difference. Owners of small businesses can re-invest those savings by expanding their companies and creating more good-paying jobs for our workers.
     
 I am proud to support the small businesses throughout the Thumb that enrich our communities and provide a living for so many working families.
 
 In today's rough economy, many people are seeking to get started - or get ahead - in the business world. Fortunately, there are free resources available locally that I encourage you to take advantage of. The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center offers free business seminars in Bad Axe, Cass City, Vassar and other local sites.

 Our local Economic Development Corporations, or EDCs, also serve as valuable resources. The EDC in your county can help you learn more about starting or developing a small business. The Huron County EDC can be reached at (989) 269-6431; in Tuscola County, call (989) 673-2849.
 
 Another effort under way locally is the Sirolli  Enterprise Initiative. This initiative features a professional facilitator who will provide free services to people who want to start or expand a business or develop a new product. Tuscola County is the only site in Michigan starting up this innovative project. The community has come together to make this project happen with donations, pledges and grant money.
 
 The Thumb has always been known for its enterprising spirit. This spirit shines through in the individuals and business owners who strive to constantly grow and make life better for themselves, their families and their communities. I applaud all our entrepreneurs and small business owners and the organizations working on their behalf.
  
 If you have questions about any of these business resources, please feel free to contact me. You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I also have more information about these resources on my Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 While you are on my Web site, please sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed of my work. On my site you can also listen again to this and other episodes of "Talking with Terry."
 
 Thank you for listening.
 
 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-boosting-small-businesses/229.mp3' length='3174818' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Great Lakes Compact</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-great-lakes-compact/223</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-great-lakes-compact/223</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 Lake Huron and the other waters that surround our state are more than beautiful sights offering recreational opportunities that make Michigan such a special place to live. The Great Lakes are Michigan's greatest natural resource and our greatest economic resource. That's why we must take action to stop other states from diverting Great Lakes water for their own use. Western states such as New Mexico and Arizona want to raid our lakes. Big corporations from out of state want to take our water and sell it for profit. We cannot allow this to happen.
 
 The best way for us to protect our water is to act now to ratify the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact. The compact gives us and the rest of our region the right to decide whether any water leaves the Great Lakes Basin. We must join the seven other states in the Great Lakes region in enacting this legislation and saying - in no uncertain terms - that the Great Lakes are not for sale. Too much is at risk for us to continue to delay.
 
 Healthy Great Lakes help tens of thousands of working families in Michigan pay the bills. Healthy Great Lakes are the foundation of our three major industries - agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Healthy Great Lakes make possible the shipping trade that links Michigan to the global marketplace. The future of these waters will decide the future of hundreds of communities all around our shoreline, including right here in the Thumb. Lake Huron is already at risk, being at its lowest level in decades.
 
 We are already struggling to solve the muck problem that has been plaguing our shoreline for years. We are already fighting the pollution that is threatening the lakes' fragile ecosystem. We have the duty to serve as stewards of the Great Lakes, which are the largest source of fresh water in the world. 
 
 Other states don't understand the need to act responsibly. For example, a community near Phoenix, Arizona, just approved a 125-acre water park that will use 100 million gallons of groundwater every year. This is the wasteful way they treat their water - and yet they claim that they desperately need ours.
 
 It's up to us to protect the Great Lakes from people who have such a blatant disregard for this precious resource. And that is why we must enact the Great Lakes Compact immediately.
 
 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions. You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Or, you can visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."
 
 Make it a great day.

]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-great-lakes-compact/223.mp3' length='2921117' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Drivers License</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-drivers-license/222</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-drivers-license/222</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 Our driver's license is one of our most important personal documents, and requiring valid driver's licenses is also a way that our government keeps our state's and America's borders secure. As a member of the House committee that works on Homeland Security issues, I am committed to finding the best ways to keep our nation safe. That's why I support a bipartisan plan to update Michigan's drivers license. The update will make the license more tamper-resistant and difficult to counterfeit.
 
 One of the reasons I support this two-part plan is because it keeps illegal immigrants from obtaining a Michigan drivers license. In both cases, only people who prove they are living legally in the United States will be able to obtain the new documents. This legislation also creates felony sentencing guidelines for those who use false documents or statements when applying for the new license or personal id.

 The basic part of the plan requires updating Michigan's driver's license to incorporate the latest technology, such as security threads and holograms. These updates have another benefit, which is to help Michigan citizens save money when federal rules covering domestic air travel go into effect. That's because the new license will meet the identification requirement for Michigan citizens to travel by airplane in the United States. Without this updated driver's license, Michigan residents would have to buy a passport, which is more expensive.
 
 The second part of the plan gives Michigan citizens the option of buying an enhanced drivers license that also acts as a passport for travel to Canada and other countries in the Western Hemisphere, which will soon be required. Again, although the cost will be slightly higher, it will be cheaper than buying a passport. Making it cheaper and more convenient for truckers and other workers to deliver our products to Canada will also build the market for products made and grown in the Thumb, and that's important to creating jobs and growing our economy.
 
 This plan to upgrade and enhance Michigan's drivers license -- because it secures our borders, benefits our residents and promotes Michigan's economic recovery -- must be done as soon as possible.
 
 If you have any questions or concerns about this plan, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 I'm here to serve you, your family, and all our communities here Tuscola and Huron counties.
 
 I also encourage you to visit my Web site. There, you can sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my activities in the Capitol and here at home. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."
 
 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-drivers-license/222.mp3' length='2921472' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Reducing Your Baby's Risk of SIDS</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/reducing-your-babys-risk-of-sids/225</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/reducing-your-babys-risk-of-sids/225</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hello, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Parents can take several steps to reduce their baby's risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

 Experts say the most important way to protect babies is to put them to sleep on their back.  Tummy time is good for babies, but only when they're awake.

 Your baby should sleep in a crib with a firm mattress and a tight-fitting sheet.  Don't leave soft materials such as pillows or stuffed animals in the crib, and don't let anyone smoke around your baby.

 A safe position in a safe place makes for safe sleep.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/reducing-your-babys-risk-of-sids/225.mp3' length='502656' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Free, Local Services to Help Avoid Foreclosure</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/free-local-services-to-help-avoid-foreclosure/226</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/free-local-services-to-help-avoid-foreclosure/226</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  If you're having trouble making mortgage payments during these tough economic times, you are not alone.  Please contact my office to learn about the free, local services available to help homeowners avoid losing their homes to foreclosure. You could call me toll-free at (888) 254-5284, or you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. I'm state Representative Terry Brown.

]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/free-local-services-to-help-avoid-foreclosure/226.mp3' length='481536' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Protecting Your Family from Carbon Monoxide</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/protecting-your-family-from-carbon-monoxide/227</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/protecting-your-family-from-carbon-monoxide/227</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hello, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. 

 I'd like to talk to you about a potentially deadly hazard in our homes: carbon monoxide. 

 Carbon monoxide is an invisible killler.  You can't see it, smell it, or taste it.  You and your family could be overcome by this poisonous gas before you realize anything is wrong.  That's why it's so important to have a carbon monoxide detector near every sleeping area in addition to fire alarms on every floor.  It's a small investment that might just save your life. 

 I'm state Representative Terry Brown.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/protecting-your-family-from-carbon-monoxide/227.mp3' length='502656' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: 2008 Goals</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-2008-goals/221</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-2008-goals/221</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 This week I want to share with you my main legislative goals for 2008.
 
 My top three priorities are creating good-paying jobs and jumpstarting our economy, protecting our Great Lakes, and developing Michigan's stake in the growing renewable energy industry.
 
 I'd like to expand briefly on each of these goals.
 
 First, my top priority is creating and protecting good-paying jobs for our workers. Michigan's economy did not fall apart overnight, and it will take hard, steady work to recover. We must fight to keep every single job in Michigan, and we must fight to attract more high-tech employers to our state. Good-paying jobs are the core of a good quality of life for our working families and our communities, and that is why increasing them is my top priority.
 
 Creating good-paying jobs is also behind my second priority, which is pushing Michigan to the forefront of the growing renewable energy industry. With the growing market for wind energy, especially, the Thumb must act quickly to capture the jobs and economic investment that other areas are currently taking. By creating demand for wind turbines and meeting demand from other states, we can create good-paying manufacturing jobs for our workers and breathe new life into our manufacturing plants. We also must take advantage of opportunities to promote biofuels and cellulosic ethanol as ways to advance our agricultural economy and support our farmers.
 
 My third priority is to fight vigorously to protect our Great Lakes, and that includes finding solutions to the muck problem that is hurting our shores. Our water is our most precious natural resource, and we must do everything we can to protect it from the threats coming from several fronts.
 
 In addition to these three top priorities, I also have guiding principles that form the foundation of how I make decisions at the Capitol. 
 
 These principles include:

 

  My commitment to serving your interests; My commitment to cutting government spending and using hard-earned taxpayer dollars as carefully and efficiently as possible; My commitment to keeping the lines of communication with you open; My commitment to being out in our community, whether it is attending events, holding coffee hours, or sponsoring town hall meetings; and, My commitment to representing our district as fully as I can, which includes serving on the five House committees and never - never - missing a session of the House.  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions you have.
 
 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 I also invite you to visit my Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."
 
 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-2008-goals/221.mp3' length='3122304' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: New Year's Resolutions</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-new-years-resolutions/220</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-new-years-resolutions/220</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 I hope that you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season. As we move past Christmas, our thoughts turn to the New Year, into the changes we want to make in our lives. We reflect on the past year and make New Year's resolutions. Resolutions are usually plans to change behavior in order to reach a goal. A resolution is also an end in itself, though. 
 
 When we reach a resolution, we agree on how to resolve a problem or challenge. And that brings me to what I have been thinking about a lot, and that is this: Things need to be done differently in Lansing. 
 
 In particular, legislators must do a better job resolving of our differences - at reaching a resolution. Our communities, and our state, have too many challenges for our leaders to get bogged down in not being able to resolve our differences.
 
 Legislators can find faster, better resolutions by following a few principles that I try to remind myself of every day. First, we are public servants, working for the people of Michigan. Although we cannot make everybody happy every time, we must always put the interests of the people we represent above all else. We are not here for our own personal or political interests. Our priority is the well-being of Michigan and its residents.
 
 The second principle is to always remember that the decisions made in Lansing affect real people, every day. Legislators must always ask: How will this affect the people in my community? Our workers, our seniors, our young parents, our children, our veterans, our business people, our residents who rely on health care and other services? That is what this is all about. That is why I am always glad to finish my work at the Capitol and get back to the Thumb and get grounded again.
 
 The third principle is, that when partisan politics win, the people of Michigan lose. There is too much battling by both parties to try to position themselves to claim victory. My job is to be an independent voice, and to do the right thing for my people, the people of my district and the people of Michigan. Partisan politics destroy the chances of reaching a resolution to Michigan's challenges, and that hurts all of us.
 
 I want to thank those of you who have shared your thoughts on how the Legislature can better serve the people of Michigan.
 
 You can always call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 You can also visit my Web site at house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry," and good luck with your own resolutions to make positive changes in your life and in your community.
 
 Make it a great day, and make it a great 2008!

]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-new-years-resolutions/220.mp3' length='3040896' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Energy Manufacturing Jobs</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-energy-manufacturing-jobs/219</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-energy-manufacturing-jobs/219</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I am State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 The Thumb is becoming a successful center of renewable energy production in Michigan, and that's good news for our workers, businesses and communities. As we position ourselves as leaders in this global industry, there is one opportunity that we must focus on - manufacturing.  

 With our skilled workers and strong manufacturing base, we are in a great position to make the parts and assemble wind turbines in our own area. 

 The Renewable Energy Policy Project released a study on the labor that goes into producing renewable energy. The report shows manufacturing renewable energy components could create almost 35,000 jobs in Michigan.  This is especially important to Michigan's manufacturing sector, which has been especially hard hit with job losses over the past five years.  Michigan has the know-how to become a center of renewable energy component manufacturing and we have residents who are ready to work in this multi-billion dollar industry. Supporting renewable energy production will foster the growth of an industry that will produce components such as rotor blades, generators, gear boxes, and dozens of other parts that comprise a wind turbine. 

 I am researching ways we can create incentives to help companies transition into this emerging field. This is just another way to create good-paying jobs for our workers and improve our economy, which as you know, are my top priorities as your state representative.  

 I also want to let you know that on Monday, December 10, I'm holding a town hall meeting on avoiding foreclosures. With more and more families at risk of losing their homes, I want to make sure homeowners know that free help is available to help prevent foreclosures. Speakers at the town hall meeting will offer advice and answer questions about steps you can take if you are at risk of losing your home. The speakers include experts from the Human Development Commission and local bankers.  The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m., Monday, December 10, at Laker High School in Pigeon. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

 If you would like more information about the meeting or about fighting foreclosures, please contact my office.  

 You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. 

 You can also visit my Web site at house.mi.gov/tbrown.  

 While you're there sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." 

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-energy-manufacturing-jobs/219.mp3' length='2655744' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Saving for College</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-saving-for-college/218</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-saving-for-college/218</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 In today's global economy, being able to compete for a good-paying job requires graduating from college or a trade school.  I know that for many families, sending a child to college may seem out of reach. It's not easy to try to save for the future while also trying to buy groceries and put gas in the car and pay the utility bills. 

 That's why I want to spread the word about two state programs that help Michigan families save for college and avoid the rising costs of tuition. These programs let you start investing early and make the most of your money, even if you can only put a few dollars away at a time. 

 The Michigan Education Trust - or MET - is the state's prepaid tuition program. It lets parents, grandparents or others buy tuition for tomorrow at today's prices. That way you don't have to worry about the rising cost of tuition. You can buy as many semesters of tuition as you want, and your student can use it at any Michigan university, college or community college. 

 The other state program is the Michigan Education Savings Plan -the MESP. The MESP allows people to set up a college savings account that is exempt from state and federal income taxes. The money that you put in this account grows faster than you might expect, thanks to compounding interest and tax breaks. 

 Both MET and the MESP are administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury.  More information on the MET is available at setwithmet.com, and more information on the MESP is available at misaves.com. 

 It's in the best interests of our kids to make sure that more Michigan families can realize the dream of sending their children to college. Making sure that every child gets a top-notch education is also critical to Michigan's future. As Michigan strives to find its footing in the new global economy, we will need a highly skilled workforce to attract businesses that offer high-tech, good-paying jobs. We need these jobs, and we need to produce talented, well-prepared workers that will give companies a reason to come here.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have about education or any other issues that matter to you and your family. 

 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. 

 You can also visit my Web site for updates on my work at the Capitol and community events I am sponsoring. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. While you're there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." 

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-saving-for-college/218.mp3' length='3006336' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Putting Gratitude into Action</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-putting-gratitude-into-action/217</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-putting-gratitude-into-action/217</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry." 

 With Thanksgiving this week, many of us are blessed to experience sitting down with our families in a warm home, with plenty of food on the table, laughing and catching up over pumpkin pie. We are filled with thanks for all that God has blessed us with. That is part of what Thanksgiving is about. 

 There is something else, though - and it's right there in the name of that special day: Giving. 

 Part of being thankful is giving to those less fortunate. That is a value we already hold dear in the Thumb, and one that we embrace year round. But Thanksgiving is a good time to remember that as we work to turn Michigan's economy around, many seniors and families in our communities are struggling. There are many ways we can support our neighbors in need. 

 For example, our food pantries desperately need donations of non-perishable food, such as peanut butter, pasta and canned vegetables. If you can spare a few items, please take them to your local food pantry. They can make a big difference for parents trying to keep their kids from going without. 

 Hunters who are successful this season can feed the hungry by donating part of their harvest.  The group Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger has assembled a network of processors that help get wild game donations to local families in need.  You can find a list of Thumb-area processors who accept donated game at the group's Web site, www.sportsmenagainsthunger.org. 

 These are just two ways we can help. 

 Giving the gift of food is a very basic way to show our neighbors that we will take care of them in tough times - just as we would want them to take care of us. So although this is a time for us to be officially thankful, let us be thankful in thought and in action all year round. 

 I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve you and your family in our state Legislature.  I never forget that my sole reason for being at the Capitol is to fight for my fellow residents of Huron and Tuscola counties; that is, to take action to make our communities better places to live, work and raise our families. 

 Please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have. You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site to see updates on my legislative work and the events that I have planned in our community. The Web site address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." 

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-putting-gratitude-into-action/217.mp3' length='2994432' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Federal Plan to Protect the Great Lakes</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-federal-plan-to-protect-the-great-lakes/216</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-federal-plan-to-protect-the-great-lakes/216</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."
 
 The Great Lakes are Michigan's greatest natural resource, and protecting them is one of my top priorities as your state representative. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars that flow through Michigan's economy are riding on the health of the Great Lakes. We simply cannot afford to leave our waters defenseless against the increasing numbers of threats against them. In addition, the Great Lakes are part of what makes living in Michigan special, and a gift that we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren.
 
 That's why I took action recently when President Bush vetoed federal legislation authorizing projects to protect and improve the Great Lakes. These projects include work that is critical to Michigan's economic and environmental future. Major Michigan projects included in this comprehensive federal plan protect jobs and businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, fishing, boating and tourism, to mention a few.
 
 To fight for these projects, I sponsored a resolution in the state House urging Congress to override the President's veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. Lawmakers from across the country and both sides of the aisle support this federal plan as a framework to fight threats against our country's greatest natural resource. My colleagues in the state House overwhelmingly approved this resolution.
 
 Among other things, the Act prioritizes the completion and maintenance of the electronic barriers to prevent the Asian Carp from entering the Great Lakes. It expedites dredging projects in local harbors to keep them operating. It puts into place measures to fight damage caused by invasive species. It addresses ways to halt the spread of the VHS virus among our fish species. It also deals with how to reduce pollution and reduce the risk of flooding. This plan is needed to protect the economic interests of Michigan, our region and our country.
 
 President Bush said the plan costs too much, but the bill only authorizes the projects. Funding would have to be allocated separately. 
 
 My congresswoman, Candice Miller, said "These are national treasures and assets that we must invest in." I couldn't agree with her more. 
 
 As your voice at the State Capitol, you can count on me to fight to preserve these precious waters and to preserve Michigan's standing as the Great Lakes State.
 
 If you would like to learn more about my legislation to protect our natural resources or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. 
 
 The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.
 
 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.
 
 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.
 
 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.
 
 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."
 
 Make it a great day!

]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-federal-plan-to-protect-the-great-lakes/216.mp3' length='3025152' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: K-12 Budget Invests in Schools</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-k-12-budget-invests-in-schools/215</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-k-12-budget-invests-in-schools/215</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 One of my priorities as your state representative is protecting our state's investment in education. To build a strong future for our children and our state, it is critical that we ensure that all students receive a quality education that prepares them for the good-paying jobs of the new global economy. Education is also the key to having a world-class workforce that attracts emerging industries to Michigan, and creates good-paying, high-tech jobs for our workers, which will get our state on the road to economic recovery. That's why I supported a state budget that increases our state's investment in local schools.

 Last week my fellow legislators and I enacted a state budget that gives more financial support to the state's lowest-funded schools - and that includes 80 percent of the school districts here in Tuscola and Huron counties. It doesn't seem fair that almost all of our local schools in the Upper Thumb currently receive the lowest level of state funding possible. Schools in rural areas like ours need our fair share of state resources to deliver a high-quality education - because our students deserve to succeed just as much as kids in richer areas.

 Under the new state budget, every school district in Tuscola County and two-thirds of the districts in Huron County will receive $7,204 per student from the state. That's an increase of $96 per student over last year - $48 base, plus a $48 per-student equity payment to bring our schools in line with the highest-paid districts. When you multiply that per-student payment increase by the number of students, it amounts to thousands of dollars - sometimes tens of thousands - in additional funds that schools can use this year. Our schools need this money to avoid teacher layoffs, to upgrade their technology and to prepare our students to compete for the high-tech jobs of the 21st century.

 Districts that already receive the maximum funding will receive the same amount, ensuring that they can deliver the educational services they have been providing.

 The state budget also includes more money for districts with declining enrollment, which is a challenge that many of our schools face.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have about education or about any other issue that matters to you and your family.

 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also visit my Web site for updates on my work at the Capitol and information about community events I am sponsoring.

 The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-k-12-budget-invests-in-schools/215.mp3' length='3025152' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Banning Cars for Judges</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-banning-cars-for-judges/214</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-banning-cars-for-judges/214</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hello, I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 One of my top priorities is ensuring that the state spends our residents' hard-earned money both responsibly and efficiently. We have to use our scarce resources to make progress on our most urgent needs - creating good-paying jobs for our workers and turning our economy around. We cannot afford to waste a single dime during these tough times.

 That is why I was so outraged when I found out the state was spending more than $400,000 a year to give free cars to Supreme Court justices, Appeals Court judges and their staffers. The vehicles are not limited to business use, they can be used for personal errands such as shopping trips, golf outings and even vacations. I put together a plan to end this expensive waste of taxpayer money.

 Last week, the state House overwhelmingly approved my plan to ban the state from providing free cars for judges. But my plan goes beyond that, in fact, it bans the state from providing taxpayer-financed cars or car leases to judges at any level, from district court judges to Supreme Court justices. It is time to end the free ride that these well-paid public servants have enjoyed for too long.

 Another part of the plan that the House passed last week bans the personal use of official state vehicles issued to the auditor general, directors of state agencies, and other state employees. There may be times when it is appropriate for state employees to be issued vehicles for official state use. But those vehicles must be used for official use only.

 I will continue to fight for common-sense reforms like these that save the state money and send a strong message that wasteful spending will not be tolerated. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this plan or any other issue that is important to you and your family.

 I would also like to remind you about the town hall meeting I am hosting on Nov. 5 to help residents learn how to protect themselves from losing their homes to foreclosure. Housing experts from the Human Development Commission will be at this community meeting to provide practical tips and resources to prevent homebuyers and homeowners from having to face foreclosure. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, at Arbela Township Hall, near Millington.

 For more information, please contact my office, toll free, at (888) 254-5284, or e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also visit my Web site, which is house.mi.gov/tbrown. At my Web site, you can sign up for my e-newsletter, which I use to keep folks informed of my work at the Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-banning-cars-for-judges/214.mp3' length='3081600' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Expanded Plan to Fight Foreclosures</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-expanded-plan-to-fight-foreclosures/213</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-expanded-plan-to-fight-foreclosures/213</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hello, I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 This week, I want to talk about the steps that I am taking to fight the foreclosure crisis that is hurting our families and our communities. In Huron and Tuscola counties, the number of foreclosures has doubled in the past few years. We must do everything we can to stop families from having to go through the devastating experience of losing their home.

 My House colleagues and I recently introduced the Michigan Home Loan Protection Act, which will help prevent homebuyers from being taken advantage of by mortgage lenders whose only concern is making a profit. One of the most common predatory lending techniques is steering borrowers into signing Adjustable Rate Mortgages - known as ARMs - when they could qualify for a more stable fixed-rate loan. These borrowers are rarely told about the risks that come with these mortgages - risks that include balloon payments and monthly payments that can double or even triple. When the bills start piling up, homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages have few options, and the current system pushes them right into foreclosure.

 Many of the foreclosures happening today are due to families not being able to keep up with the skyrocketing expenses that come with these mortgages. That's why my colleagues and I have expanded this plan to help these homeowners refinance to fixed-rate loans. The loans would come through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority - MSHDA - which would finance them through the sale of bonds and notes to private investors - not from state revenues.

 Eligible borrowers would fall into two categories: those whose expenses are increasing dramatically due to the rising costs of their adjustable-rate mortgage, and those who have missed payments on their adjustable-rate mortgages and can't work out an agreement with their lender to avoid a foreclosure. This program would help homeowners put the brakes on the foreclosure process and rearrange their finances so they can keep their homes.

 I am also holding a town hall meeting to help residents learn how to protect themselves from foreclosure. Housing experts from the Human Development Commission will be there to provide practical tips and resources.

 The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, at Arbela Township Hall, near Millington. I encourage anyone who is interested to attend.

 For more information, please contact my office, toll free, at (888) 254-5284, or e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can find all this information at my Web site, which is house.mi.gov/tbrown. That address again is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Giving homeowners the tools and information they need to prevent foreclosure will keep more families in their homes and help move our economy in the right direction.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-expanded-plan-to-fight-foreclosures/213.mp3' length='3055104' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: School Equity</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-school-equity/212</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-school-equity/212</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 As your advocate in Lansing, I am fighting to bring more state money home to our schools, because I know just how much our children's early education determines their success in life. Having worked in the local education field for more than two decades, I also know how hard it is for our schools to deliver a high-quality education with fewer and fewer resources these days. The problem is made worse by the fact that some school districts in Michigan receive more state money than others - sometimes more than $5,000 more per student from the state.

 In Huron County, two-thirds of our school districts receive the lowest amount possible. In Tuscola County, every single school district is getting only the lowest level of funding. Due to these large differences, some schools have the resources for top-notch instruction while other classrooms are struggling to provide children with essential educational tools.

 Our kids deserve a top-notch education, just like the kids in the wealthier districts. That's why I support a new school equity plan that will give the state's lowest-funded schools more money. This funding will help keep more teachers in the classroom, control class sizes and distribute necessary educational resources to our schools.

 Under this bipartisan plan, funding would be provided to narrow the gap between the lowest- and highest-funded school districts. At least $20 million would be available initially for equity payments through the program. The disbursement amount would vary based on how much each district currently receives. Gradually, we will bring the lower-funded districts in line with higher-funded districts.

 This plan is a way of updating Proposal A to revive its equity clause, which expired in 1999.

 All children deserve equal access to a quality education so that they can go on to college or trade school and so that they can be prepared for the good-paying jobs of the future. Investing in education will benefit Michigan businesses and families and make our state a leader in the 21st century global economy. This plan will level the playing field for our children and make sure that as Michigan moves forward, none of the children in the Thumb are left behind.

 Our kids and our communities are well worth investing in, and well worth fighting for, and I will continue to do that each and every day.

 To learn more about this school equity plan or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or suggestions. You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284, or e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-school-equity/212.mp3' length='3055104' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Flu Vaccine for Seniors</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-flu-vaccine-for-seniors/210</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-flu-vaccine-for-seniors/210</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 Flu season is officially underway in Michigan, and that means it's time to get your flu shot. This year there is plenty of vaccine to go around, so you don't have to worry about that. Unfortunately, too many people don't get their flu shot, and that mistake can be dangerous, especially for people at high-risk of developing serious complications.

 Getting the flu can cause a long hospitalization and a difficult recovery, especially for older folks. It  can even be a matter of life and death. In fact, more than 90 percent of people who die from influenza are 65 or older. That's why I support legislation to require hospitals and other health-care facilities to offer the flu vaccine to patients 65 and older who are admitted for at least 24 hours.

 Making vaccination part of a hospital stay will protect more of our parents and grandparents from becoming seriously ill or even dying from complications from the flu. The plan requires that the patient consent to receiving the vaccine, that giving the vaccine must be medically advisable, and that the hospital must possess an adequate supply of the vaccine in order to administer it.

 In addition to offering the vaccine to elderly patients, this legislation requires hospitals to develop a plan for the management of their vaccine supplies.

 Although many health plans and Medicare pay for the flu shot, many older residents have a hard time getting vaccinated because of limitations in mobility, transportation or support systems. We have to actively promote the vaccine, rather than merely making it a covered benefit.

 The flu is nothing to fool around with. Between 5 percent and 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And about 36,000 people die from influenza each year.

 So please, get your flu shot, and make sure your loved ones do, too.

 If you would like to learn more about this legislation or my other work at the Capitol, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so that I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you have.

 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-flu-vaccine-for-seniors/210.mp3' length='2865024' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Predatory Lending</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-predatory-lending/211</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-predatory-lending/211</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 I am very concerned about our growing problem of foreclosures in our area and across our state. I want you to know that I am working hard to find solutions to this problem. Many hard-working families are losing their homes because they just can't make ends meet during these tough economic times. One solution, of course, to this problem, like many of Michigan's challenges, is to create more good-paying jobs and jumpstart our economy. As your state representative, those are my top priorities, each and every day.

 There is another cause of the foreclosure crisis that we must address, though. Many homebuyers end up losing their homes because they were misled or taken advantage of when they took out their mortgages. Most mortgage lenders are honest, but some set new homebuyers up to fail. They write loans they know borrowers can't afford just to collect the fees and commissions and line their own pockets.

 Borrowers who don't qualify for the best rates often are steered into signing Adjustable Rate Mortgages -- ARMs - instead of being given the option of more affordable fixed-rate loans. These borrowers often aren't told about the risks that come with ARMs. Those risks include balloon payments and monthly mortgage payments that can double or triple. When the bills start piling up, these homeowners have no choice but to foreclose on their homes.

 We have to protect homebuyers from these predatory mortgage lenders, which is why I support a state House legislative plan called the Michigan Home Loan Protection Act. This plan would, among other things, ban practices such as giving out loans without requiring borrowers to prove their ability to repay them. It would also protect consumers from being steered toward high-cost loans when they would qualify for a better rate.

 No one should have to go through the devastating experience of being forced out of their own home. Dishonest and greedy lenders are hurting our hard-working families, our communities, and our economy, and we must put a stop to it.

 If you would like to learn more about the Home Loan Protection Act or my other legislative work, please visit my Web site. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown. While you are there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you informed of my work at our State Capitol.

 As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions that you might have.

 You can me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thanks for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-predatory-lending/211.mp3' length='3025152' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Federal Funds for Great Lakes Restoration</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-federal-funds-for-great-lakes-restoration/209</link>
	<pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-federal-funds-for-great-lakes-restoration/209</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 Our Great Lakes shoreline is our greatest natural resource here in the Thumb, as well as a national treasure, and a national treasure deserves federal investment. It's time for the federal government to make a serious commitment to cleaning up the Great Lakes. According to a new study, restoring the Great Lakes is not just the right thing to do - it's a wise economic investment. The study was done by the Brookings Institution and the University of Michigan. The study found that if the federal government invests $26 billion in restoring the Great Lakes, it will produce an economic benefit worth at least $50 billion over the long term.

 Investing in cleaning up and protecting the Great Lakes will also spur $30 billion to $50 billion in short-term activity, such as creating jobs for our workers. It'll raise coastal property values $12 billion to $19 billion, deliver benefits of up to $11.8 billion from tourism, recreation, fishing and related activities.

 Our local harbors also need attention. They are suffering for many reasons, including low lake levels. Great Lakes boaters rely on more than 80 harbors to launch, operate and dock their boats. Some of these harbors are also home to U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Stations, and they serve as refuge during storms. In addition, many municipal and family-owned marinas and harbors need dredging in order to operate successfully. Without this service, these operations - and the working families and local businesses that rely on them - are at risk. The problem is that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for maintaining many Great Lakes harbors, currently doesn't get enough funding to dredge harbors that are used solely for recreation.

 I have sponsored a resolution in the Michigan House of Representatives that urges Congress to provide funding to solve this problem. The executive director of the Great Lakes Commission reports that it would cost $5 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct dredging of recreational harbors. This is a small price to pay for the safety of our residents, the growth of our economy, and the protection and creation of jobs for our residents. A recent report by the Great Lakes Commission found that recreational boating generates $1.2 billion in Michigan. As a premiere boating destination offering more than 100 miles of Lake Huron shoreline, the Thumb is the beneficiary of much of that revenue - and we can't afford to lose any of it.

 I welcome your comments and suggestions about protecting our Great Lakes and any other issues that are important to you and your family.

 Please feel to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 While you're there, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter so I can keep you updated on what's happening at the Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry"

 Go out there and make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-federal-funds-for-great-lakes-restoration/209.mp3' length='3169536' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Special Hunting Access for Disabled Vets</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-special-hunting-access-for-disabled-vets/205</link>
	<pubDate>Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-special-hunting-access-for-disabled-vets/205</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 I'm sure that many of you, like me, are already looking forward to deer hunting season. Hunting is a wonderful family tradition passed on from generation to generation, a healthy recreational activity, and an important economic force in our communities. Experiencing nature this way is a cherished part of our special way of life here in Michigan. I don't want to see anyone who loves hunting lose the opportunity to take part in it. That's why I voted for a plan in the state House last week to help more of our disabled veterans participate fully in deer hunting.

 Disabled veterans with hunting licenses currently participate in the regular firearm deer hunting season in November. As we all know, trying to get through Michigan fields and forests in November weather can be tough for anyone, especially people with physical limitations.

 The plan I support designates a two-day hunting season for disabled veterans at the end of September, when the weather is more agreeable. The men and women who have fought for our country deserve every opportunity in life. They have made enormous sacrifices to keep our country - to keep us - safe and free. We can only enjoy our way of life because people like our disabled vets have risked their lives to protect it. We should show them our gratitude and respect by making sure they can participate in Michigan's special way of life fully.

 The House voted unanimously to pass this plan to set up a pilot program for disabled vets that would focus on certain parts of the state initially. The special two-day hunting season coincides with the youth hunting season, which also typically comes at the end of September. If the Senate acts quickly, we can get this program started right away, and enable more disabled vets to take part in deer hunting.

 It's important to our way of life and to our economy that we encourage more of our fellow Michigan residents - and out of state visitors - to participate in hunting. This plan will show the rest of the country how serious Michigan takes its commitment not only to sharing our hunting tradition, but also to honoring our veterans.

 If you have any thoughts or concerns related to this or any other legislative matter, I welcome your comments. I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also check my Web site for updates on my legislative activities. The Web site address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-special-hunting-access-for-disabled-vets/205.mp3' length='2788992' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Plan to Limit Lead in Toys</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-plan-to-limit-lead-in-toys/204</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-plan-to-limit-lead-in-toys/204</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking With Terry."

 This week I want to tell you about a plan that my colleagues and I have passed to protect our children and grandchildren from the dangers of toxic lead. This issue is in the news again with yet another massive recall of toys made in China. Like the tens of millions of other toys recalled this year, these products are hazardous because they are coated with paint that contains excessive levels of lead.

 These toys are among the most popular and the most widely sold. They include Fisher-Price toys featuring Elmo, Big Bird and Dora the Explorer ... toys from the movie "Cars", GeoTrax components, Barbie accessories, and Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway toys and parts. They are the types of toys that children handle over and over, and tend to put in their mouths.  This repeated exposure can put children at risk for lead poisoning, which can cause lifelong problems.

 Lead poisoning hurts a child's ability to learn and develop normally. It can cause hyperactivity, learning disabilities, brain damage and behavioral problems - including violent behavior. Michigan has the sixth-highest lead poisoning rate in the country. We must take action against companies that contribute to this problem by selling products that are hazardous to our children. We cannot allow toymakers to expose our children to poison. Michigan must have laws that protect our children from toys containing toxic lead.

 The plan passed in the state House corrects this problem. Our plan virtually eliminates the amount of lead that can be applied to children's toys sold in Michigan. The plan establishes civil fines for those who violate the limits, starting with $100 per item. Repeat offenders would pay up to $50,000 per item that violates the law. It also limits lead in lunch boxes. Studies show that lead in soft vinyl lunch boxes can leach out into food.

 Finally, because acute lead poisoning can be fatal, our plan also limits the amount of lead in children's jewelry. In 2005, a 4-year-old Minnesota boy died after swallowing a bracelet charm that turned out to contain over 99 percent lead. Our children's safety must be a top priority.

 We need our state senators to approve this plan now so we can stop these dangerous products from getting into our homes and into our children's hands.

 If you have questions or comments about this or any other issue related to our state government, I encourage you to contact me. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Please also check out my Web site for updates on my legislative work as well as my activities here at home. The Web site address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 I am here to serve you and your family and represent your interests at our state Capitol.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-plan-to-limit-lead-in-toys/204.mp3' length='3125760' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: School Starts</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-school-starts/203</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-school-starts/203</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 This is an exciting time for families all around our area, as children and teachers head back to the classroom. I know, from working for two decades in our local schools, what a difference a quality education makes for our children's future. In today's global economy, a strong education makes the difference between success in the workplace, and a lifelong struggle to make ends meet. That's why we all need to support our schools as they work to prepare our kids to compete in the 21st century global economy.

 When it comes to finding good-paying jobs, students who are taught in second-class schools simply won't get a second chance. Now more than ever, our kids have to learn in order to earn. Education must be a priority because it is the key to creating a world-class workforce that attracts emerging industries and boosts our economy. By supporting our educators and schools, we can ensure that all our children can grow up to compete for good-paying jobs that they can raise a family on.

 With kids going back to school now, it's a good time to remember that we can all help our kids just by making sure that students get to school safely.

 As you see more and more school buses on our roads, remember that traffic must stop in both directions when you encounter a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. And please, stay at least 20 feet behind the bus. It is only safe to proceed when the school bus lights are turned off and all children are off the road.

 We all have a stake in our students' success. If you have a child in school, use the start of a new school year to connect with your child's teachers and reinforce to your son or daughter how important it is to work hard in school. Our kids also need volunteer tutors and mentors, so even if you don't have a student in school, you can make an important contribution.

 As always, please keep in touch with me and let me know your ideas and concerns about education or about any other state government issues that matter to you and your family.

 Feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry"

 Go out there and make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-school-starts/203.mp3' length='2468736' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Charlie's Bill</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-charlies-bill/202</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-charlies-bill/202</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry." 

 This past week, the state House overwhelmingly passed my plan to support the families of Michigan servicemembers killed while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. My plan requires employers to provide up to 10 days, or 80 hours, of paid bereavement leave for a spouse, parent or child of a servicemember killed during active duty. It also prohibits an employer from firing or punishing any employee who requests or takes the leave.

 Families who suffer the loss of a loved one fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan need, and deserve, this time to grieve and prepare to bury these fallen heroes. These families often do not even know when their loved one's remains will be returned to them. They typically must wait a week or more before they can make arrangements to lay their loved one to rest. During this time of incredible upheaval and uncertainty, these families need to know that their next paycheck is still coming and that their jobs are safe.

 This legislation is named "Charlie's Bill" in honor of 28-year-old Army Sergeant Charles "Charlie" Drier of Tuscola County, who was killed during combat in Iraq. "Charlie's Bill" honors the Drier family's sacrifice and it honors every military family in our area and across Michigan that has been touched by such a loss.

 Our armed forces and our military families need to know that the people of Michigan are behind them. They need to know that we recognize and appreciate the tremendous sacrifice that they are making to keep our country safe and free.

 Patriotism involves more than waving the American flag. It involves providing real support to the people who make it possible for us to do that.

 I'm proud of our state legislators from both sides of the aisle for coming together to do the right thing for our military families. "Charlie's Bill" now goes to the Senate, where I hope my colleagues there will also act quickly to do the right thing.

 Thank you for listening to Talking with Terry. Please keep in touch with me and let me know what's on your mind. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can find also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Please keep our military families in your thoughts and prayers today and every day.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-charlies-bill/202.mp3' length='2468736' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Michigan Workers First</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-michigan-workers-first/201</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-michigan-workers-first/201</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 This week I'd like to tell you about "Hire Michigan First" - a job-creation plan that gives priority for economic development projects to companies that employ 100 percent Michigan workers. The dedicated, hardworking men and women of our state are the backbone of Michigan. But corporate outsourcing and downsizing, along with the loss of our manufacturing base, are hurting middle-class families. 

 Michigan's unemployment rate climbed to 7.2 percent in June - the highest in the nation. Since 2000, Michigan has lost more than 240,000 jobs. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Global trade agreements and national economic policies have hurt our workers, and Michigan's working families are paying the price. We must stand by our workers during these tough economic times and do everything we can to protect our working families. 

 The Hire Michigan First plan gives companies that hire 100 percent Michigan workers priority in the awarding of tax breaks and other economic development tools. The plan requires businesses with contracts for construction of state buildings to hire 100 percent of their workers from Michigan, strengthening the current requirement of 50 percent. It cracks down on companies that hire illegal immigrant workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. 

 The plan also requires those companies to pay back incentives they've already received and bars them from future contracts. Companies that bring in workers from other states and countries hurt the qualified, experienced workers we have in our state. In Marysville, the state approved a tax-free Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zone to support the construction of an ethanol plant. An out-of-state company brought in their workers from Texas for this construction project. (Source: Michigan State Building and Construction Trades Council)

 It simply does not make sense for our taxpayer dollars to go toward creating jobs for workers in other states. We should make sure that Michigan residents benefit from taxpayer money. And that's exactly what "Hire Michigan First" is about.Our taxpayer dollars should not be used to support businesses that choose workers from elsewhere over our very own highly skilled workers here in Michigan. We in the Thumb know that by investing in our own, we are investing in Michigan. Hire Michigan First will make sure that our workers come first.

 I welcome your thoughts or ideas about jobs or the economy or anything else that's on your mind. I am here to serve you and help keep our working families working.

 Please feel free to call my office, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Also, please check my Web site for legislative updates and upcoming events. The Web site address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-michigan-workers-first/201.mp3' length='3160320' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: BP Threatens Lake Michigan</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-bp-threatens-lake-michigan/200</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-bp-threatens-lake-michigan/200</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 This week I want to tell you about a problem that is becoming all too familiar, and what I am doing to solve it. Once again, outsiders are using Michigan as a dumping ground with no regard to the damage they are inflicting on our state. My state House colleagues and I are already fighting to stop Canadian and out-of-state trash companies from flooding Michigan with their garbage. Last week I joined in the fight against another threat to Michigan: a drastic increase in the toxic chemicals that British Petroleum, known as BP, is being allowed to dump into the Great Lakes. BP operates a giant oil refinery in Whiting, Indiana, which is near Chicago.

 For reasons I cannot even begin to fathom, the state of Indiana and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently gave BP a permit to pollute Lake Michigan at a much, much higher rate than it is doing now. The government gave BP the green light to release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan. The EPA also told BP that it can continue to release mercury into Lake Michigan for at least five more years. This is inconceivable, and absolutely unacceptable. Congress must take action now to stop this outrageous pollution.

 I signed a bipartisan resolution in the state House that urges Congress to make this a priority. I will not stand by and allow our land, air and water to be poisoned. With Michigan's economy struggling, we can't afford to lose the tourism, recreation and job opportunities that the Great Lakes provide. Just as importantly, the idea of giving corporations like BP almost free rein to pollute for profit violates everything that we in the Thumb believe in.

 We are proud stewards of our land, air and water. We believe strongly in keeping them pure for future generations, and we serve as leaders in showing others how to achieve that vital goal. We also are keenly aware that any threat to the Great Lakes threatens our own survival. We need healthy Great Lakes for the drinking water that keeps us alive. Many of us depend on healthy Great Lakes to make a living. We all depend on the Great Lakes to contribute to our quality of life and to our special way of life that we lead here in the Thumb. The Great Lakes system supports not only our own lives but also the survival of a multitude of plants, fish and wildlife that are unique and sometimes endangered. Just as the Great Lakes are all connected, we are all connected to the Great Lakes, and we must do everything we can to protect them.

 I welcome your thoughts, concerns and ideas about protecting our natural resources or any other issues that are important to you and your family.

 Feel to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284, and tell me about what matters to you and your family. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry"

 Go out there and make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-bp-threatens-lake-michigan/200.mp3' length='3105792' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Stopping trash from Canada and other states</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-stopping-trash-from-canada-and-other-states/199</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-stopping-trash-from-canada-and-other-states/199</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 The Thumb is a beautiful place to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors.  Just the other day, I watched in awe as a magnificent bald eagle soared above me through the clear blue sky.  We must do everything we can to protect these precious gifts and preserve our special way of life.  First and foremost, we must stop letting other people use our state as a garbage dump. We are the Great Lakes State, not the Great Waste State.

 The endless flood of trash pouring into Michigan from Canada and other states has to stop, and it has to stop now. For far too long, these outsiders have been allowed to endanger our land, our water, our roads and our quality of life. The amount of trash coming in to Michigan continues to skyrocket, reaching a record 6.3 million tons in 2006. Michigan is an attractive trash target for one reason: we're the cheapest dumping ground around. Right now, trash haulers from Canada and other states pay just 21 cents to dump each ton of trash in Michigan - that's the lowest rate in the region.

 My state House colleagues and I have passed a tough anti-trash plan that raises the dumping charge, making it the highest in the nation. A steeper dumping charge will force Canada and other states to dump their trash elsewhere. A similar plan worked in Pennsylvania, and I believe it will work here.

 I sponsored legislation to make sure that the money raised the increased dumping charge goes right back to our local communities. Proceeds will help our local governments pay to fix roads, provide fire and police protection, and improve recycling. The House plan also bans new landfills and strictly limits the expansion of existing landfills until 2012. All of these bills are still awaiting action in the Senate.

 In the survey I conducted earlier this year, many of you listed stopping Canadian and out-of-state trash as one of your top priorities. It is time for Michigan's leaders to stop those giant trash trucks and send them right back to where they came from. It is time for our state senators to stand up for Michigan and pass this tough anti-trash plan. Our residents, our communities and our state must come first. This anti-trash plan is long overdue. We must pass this plan in order to protect our land, our water, our communities and our quality of life ... today and for generations to come.

 I welcome your thoughts or ideas about the trash problem or anything else that's on your mind. I am here to serve you and represent your interests - not the special interests of the trash industry or anybody else's special interests.

 Please feel free to call my office, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Also, please check my Web site for legislative updates and upcoming events. The Web site address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-stopping-trash-from-canada-and-other-states/199.mp3' length='3240960' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Agricultural Job Fair in August</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-agricultural-job-fair-in-august/173</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-agricultural-job-fair-in-august/173</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[

 Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 My top priority is creating and retaining local jobs for the residents of Tuscola and Huron counties. In fact, as your State Representative, my job is to look out for your job.  I want to make sure that the breadwinners of our communities can earn enough money to raise their families. I want to make sure that our young people have job opportunities that encourage them to stay in the Thumb, rather than moving out of state. And I want to make sure that our local employers can find the local workers they need to successfully run their operations. Some farmers, in particular, tell me that they have trouble finding local workers to fill jobs on farms.

 Agriculture is more than a proud tradition and a way of life here in the Thumb. It is a vital part of our local economy and Michigan's future. We have to do everything we can to make sure that our farmers can succeed by employing local workers and using local suppliers. Our workers need jobs, and our employers need workers. It seems to me that the solution is to do a better job of matching local workers and employers. That's why I'm excited about an upcoming event that will address that exact need.

 Thumb Area Agri-Business 2100 is sponsoring an Agricultural Job Fair in August. The fair will take place in Huron County on Monday, Aug. 13. In Tuscola County, it will take place on Friday, Aug. 17. There are also dates set in Sanilac and Lapeer counties. All the events take place at the Michigan Works Service Centers.  At all the sites, the fair will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the morning.
 At the fair, local residents seeking work and farmers seeking workers can connect. The types of jobs could include truck drivers, field workers, herdsmen, milkers, tractor drivers, machinery repairmen, and others. They also include seasonal, part-time and full-time opportunities.

 To get more information about the job fair, or to register, you can call Thumb Area Michigan Works at 989-635-3561. That number again is 989-635-3561.

 At the Capitol and here at home, I am working hard to support our agricultural industry and support our working families.  I welcome your thoughts, questions and suggestions about job growth and economic development in our area.

 Please feel free to call my office, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-agricultural-job-fair-in-august/173.mp3' length='2880768' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Great Waters, Great Michigan</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-great-waters-great-michigan/172</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:40:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-great-waters-great-michigan/172</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 It's hard to imagine living in the Thumb without having Lake Huron to enrich our landscape and define our way of life, especially as summer takes hold. The opportunities that we have to enjoy this precious gift make us the envy of people around the country, and even around the world. And we can't ignore the fact that the Great Lakes are central to our economy and our jobs.

 Michigan's three biggest industries - agriculture, manufacturing and tourism - depend heavily on a healthy Great Lakes water system. Many of our families rely on the Great Lakes to make a living, and the Great Lakes support our state's struggling economy. But Lake Huron and the rest of the Great Lakes are at risk from other states and countries. They want to turn it into a commodity and sell it for profit. A Canadian company floated the idea of shipping Great Lakes water to Asia in giant tankers. Other states have proposed building pipelines and canals to divert Great Lakes water for their own use. 

 These threats come at a time when our lakes our already under great pressure, with levels dropping quickly. That's why I support the "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan - a package of bills that will protect our most precious natural resource from being taken away and sold for profit.  We will accomplish this by ratifying the Great Lakes Basin Water Resource Compact. The pact bans diversions of water outside the Great Lakes Basin. For the pact to be binding, all Great Lakes states must approve it. In the meantime, we must get tough with companies that want to use our water. The "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan requires the state to conduct more stringent reviews of companies and municipalities seeking to withdraw large amounts of water. The plan also requires large-scale users such as municipalities and utilities to adopt tougher conservation practices.

 My part of the package increases enforcement of our water protection laws. It allows regular citizens to hold companies accountable when they violate water protection laws. And it increases the maximum civil fine from $1,000 to $10,000 for most water use violations. 

 We, as residents of the Great Lakes State, have a special responsibility to be good stewards of the largest source of fresh water on our planet. The "Great Waters, Great Michigan" plan helps us meet that responsibility while protecting our own future and preserving our special way of life here in the Thumb. 

 If you have any thoughts about this water-protection plan or other state issues, please feel free to call my office toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown. 

 I am here to serve you and represent your interests at the Capitol. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

 Make it a great day.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-great-waters-great-michigan/172.mp3' length='3095808' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Upcoming Town Hall Meetings on Renewable Energy and Biomass</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-upcoming-town-hall-meetings-on-renewable-energy-and-biomass/171</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-upcoming-town-hall-meetings-on-renewable-energy-and-biomass/171</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hello, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my update, "Talking with Terry." 

 This week I'd like to invite all of you to two events I am sponsoring in our community. This series of town-hall meetings will take place in Bad Axe and Caro this month. Experts from Michigan State University will join us to talk about how we in the Thumb can turn our agricultural resources into additional income and renewable energy. The first town hall meeting, on July 20 in Bad Axe, will focus on methane digesters. The other meeting, on July 23 in Caro, will focus on biomass. You can find details about the meetings and more information on my Web site, house.mi.gov/tbrown. 

 Both of these agricultural developments - methane digesters and biomass - are important to our area. They widen our options in terms of making the best use of our agricultural strengths. They also provide opportunities for us to create jobs for our own residents in our own communities. Methane digesters convert animal waste into biogas - a form of energy that farmers can then use on their own farm or sell to others. This way of dealing with animal waste protects our land, our water and our quality of life, while also offering economic benefits. The meeting on methane digesters will take place on Friday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Bad Axe High School. 

 The second town hall meeting will focus on biomass, which is another exciting option that addresses challenges while also presenting economic opportunities. Biomass refers to plant material or organic waste such as corn stalks, straw, sawdust, and woodchips. Biomass can also consist of energy crops, such as switchgrass, that are grown just for the purpose of being turned into fuel. By using biomass to produce energy, we can help farmers turn waste into profit. We can also create demand for switchgrass and other easily grown products, and using biomass for ethanol allows us to diversify the sources of this biofuel rather than relying on one crop. The meeting about biomass will take place on Monday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Tuscola Technology Center in Caro. 

 I hope you will join me at these town hall meetings to learn how the latest renewable energy research can benefit our farmers, our businesses and our communities. We here in the Thumb must continue to lead the way in the emerging renewable energy industry and attract the good-paying jobs and economic growth that come with it. 

 If you have any questions about these town hall meetings on July 20 or July 23, please feel free to call my office toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. Once again, you can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown. Please keep in touch and let me know what is important to you and your family. I am here to serve you and represent your interests at the Capitol. 

 Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry." 

 Make it a great day. 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-upcoming-town-hall-meetings-on-renewable-energy-and-biomass/171.mp3' length='3510912' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Charlie's Bill</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-charlies-bill/170</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:30:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-charlies-bill/170</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 Every year at this time, we bring out the flags and fireworks for the Fourth of July. It seems that hardly anyone calls it "Independence Day" anymore. Yet we should remember that this holiday is exactly that - a celebration of our freedom. We should remember, too, that America had to fight for the freedom that makes our country special ... and we are fighting still. Some of Michigan's finest men and women are on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, risking their lives so the rest of us can enjoy the freedom that we too often take for granted.

 When war claims the lives of one of these fine Americans, the loss hits all of us hard. We can only imagine the magnitude of grief that their loved ones experience. The last thing that these grieving parents and spouses should have to worry about is losing a paycheck or losing their livelihood altogether. To help protect these families, I am honored to sponsor legislation called  "Charlie's Bill." I join in this effort with Sen. Jim Barcia, who is sponsoring this legislation on the Senate side. 

 "Charlie's Bill" grants paid bereavement leave for a spouse, parent, or child of an individual killed while serving on active duty. The legislation also prohibits an employer from firing or punishing any employee who requests or takes this bereavement leave. "Charlie's Bill" is named in honor of Army Sgt. Charlie Drier of Tuscola, the son of my dear friend Mary Drier. Charlie was just 28 when he was killed by a bomb in Baghdad.

 The bill named in Charlie's honor gives grieving military families time to mourn, time to make funeral arrangements, time to begin to get back on their feet.  These families bear a special burden -- they often must wait for days just to learn when their loved one will be returned to them, due to security issues and other complications. What this bill asks for, is simply some paid time off while these families try to deal with these issues - no longer than 10 days or 80 hours, whichever is less. Those who have lost a loved one in a combat zone half a world away deserve more than our condolences. They deserve our eternal gratitude for their sacrifice to our country. Giving these families time to grieve is a way we can show that gratitude.  And that makes it the right thing to do.

 If you have thoughts about "Charlie's Bill" or any other issue related to state government, please feel to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov. You can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 I am here to serve you and represent your interests at the Capitol.

 Thank you for listening.

 Now go out there and make the world a little bit better today.

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-charlies-bill/170.mp3' length='3255168' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Survey results</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-survey-results/169</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:40:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-survey-results/169</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."  

 Today, I am excited to share with you the results of my districtwide survey.  Earlier this year, I gave out a survey to residents of Huron and Tuscola counties so I could get a better sense of what matters to you and your families.  It probably won't surprise you to learn that creating jobs and improving the economy are the top concerns for almost half the residents who responded.  I want you to know that I share your focus on meeting these goals.  I have said from the beginning that my top priority is creating jobs for our residents.  We are well on our way to making the Thumb a magnet for emerging industries and job providers, and I am working hard to keep that momentum going. 

 With the cutting-edge Harvest Wind Farm on the way in Huron County, the Thumb is leading the charge into the growing renewable-energy industry.  The 21st Century Renewable Energy Plan will build on that by attracting thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment to the Thumb and Michigan.  In addition, my colleagues and I recently voted to slash the Personal Property Tax for businesses, which will encourage companies to invest in Michigan.  This incentive is part of the Michigan Business Tax, a comprehensive plan that will reward companies that put down roots in Michigan and create jobs for our workers.  I am also serving on a special task force that is working to improve the tourism industry and capture more of tourism-related jobs and investment for our communities.

 Getting back to the survey, cutting health-care costs came in second among residents' top priorities.  18 percent said controlling health-care costs was their top concern.  Other issues that residents chose from were education, stopping Canadian and out-of-state trash, protecting the Great Lakes, and renewable energy.

 I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the survey.  I will use these survey results to guide my work at the Capitol and my work here at home.  If you happen to still have your survey at home, I encourage you to go ahead and send it in.

 If it is more convenient, feel to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284, and tell me about what matters to you and your family.  Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  You can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown.  There you can also see a chart that shows the results of the survey. 

 As I fight to move Michigan forward, I will work hard to honor the priorities and values of the people I am so privileged to represent.

 Thank you for listening.

 Make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-survey-results/169.mp3' length='2823168' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Identity Theft</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-identity-theft/168</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:49:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-identity-theft/168</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 Today I'd like to talk about identity theft and how the state can do a better job of protecting consumers. Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in Michigan and in the nation. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, about 19 Americans fall victim to this crime every minute. Here in the Thumb, we have seen several prominent cases lately involving identity theft.

 Preventing identity theft is important because recovering from it can be a long, expensive process that puts extreme stress on you and your family. Recently, I hosted a town hall meeting on the topic of identity theft, and Detective Richard Koehler of the Huron County Sheriff's Department did a fantastic job sharing vital information about this crime. It is important that we all learn about identity theft and ways that we, as individuals, can protect ourselves keep from becoming victims.

 In addition, we need to attack this epidemic on the legislative front. My colleagues and I have passed two plans in the state House that will combat identity theft. The first plan gives Michigan consumers the right to put a freeze on their credit reports. This "security freeze" lets you "lock" your credit rating just as you lock your house or car. Credit-reporting agencies would not be allowed to release a credit rating without your authorization. Only you, the consumer, could authorize the release of your credit rating by providing your Personal Identification Number, or PIN number. Almost all other states already give consumers the right to control their own credit, and I believe it's time that Michigan did, too.

 Another plan that my colleagues and I have passed involves safeguarding Social Security numbers, which are the pieces of information that identity thieves seek most. The problem is that right now, Social Security numbers and other personal information are often available for public viewing on Register of Deeds documents, and even online. The House plan, which I voted for, requires local officials to remove all Social Security numbers from deeds and other documents. 

 These two plans will go a long way toward fighting identity theft.

 If you have thoughts about identity theft or any other issue related to state government, I'd like to hear from you.

 Please feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also visit my Web site, at house.mi.gov/tbrown. There you can find out what I am working on at the Capitol, learn about events I have planned in our community, and see pictures of past activities. You can even sign up to receive this "Talking With Terry" update as a podcast, if you want to.

 Thanks for listening.

 Go out there and make it a great day!

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-identity-theft/168.mp3' length='3074688' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Renewable Energy Standards</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-standards/167</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:05:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-standards/167</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 This week I want to talk about renewable energy standards. You may also have heard these referred to as Renewable Portfolio Standards. Renewable energy will continue to be a major focus of my work at the Capitol, because it offers tremendous long-term economic benefits to our communities in Huron and Tuscola counties. And Michigan must move forward, and aggressively pursue those opportunities. 

 Renewable energy standards require that a certain percentage of a state's energy come from clean, renewable sources. Twenty-three other states and the District of Columbia already have these standards, and they are reaping massive economic benefits because of them. They are creating thousands of good jobs and garnering millions of dollars in investments. We can't afford to keep losing those jobs to other states and other countries, and there is no reason we should lose those jobs.

 The Thumb and Michigan have the natural resources and the human resources to become a leader in the renewable energy industry. The Thumb area is already leading the way in the fastest-growing sector of the renewable energy industry: that is wind power. Michigan is the 14th windiest state, which means we have more wind potential than most other states. We need to establish renewable energy standards so that we can create a stable market for wind and the rest of the emerging renewable energy industry.

 Developers choose to invest in states that have made a firm commitment to renewable energy, and that's what Michigan needs to do to become a magnet for these high-tech jobs. Experts in this field say it is very reasonable to require the state to obtain at least 10 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015. Dozens of legislators on both sides of the aisle have come together to support legislation establishing this standard. The plan has broad, bipartisan backing because it is clear how much is at stake for Michigan. This plan will create jobs for our workers, it will create income for our farmers, it will jumpstart the comprehensive, long-term economic development that Michigan needs in order to get on the road to recovery. 

 The news that Wolverine Power Cooperative has chosen Huron County as the site of the state's first commercial scale-wind farm is great news for the Thumb.  Let's keep that momentum going and use renewable energy to create more good jobs for our workers.

 If you have thoughts or concerns about renewable energy or any other topic regarding state government, I am eager to hear from you.

 Please feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also visit my Web site at any time to track my legislative work and find out about community events that I sponsor in Huron and Tuscola counties. The address is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry."

 Go out there and make it a great day! 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-renewable-energy-standards/167.mp3' length='3181440' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Graduation and the Importance of Education</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-graduation-and-the-importance-of-education/166</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:20:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-graduation-and-the-importance-of-education/166</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."     

 This week, I want to congratulate all of our local students who are graduating from high school.  You represent the future of Michigan.  You've worked hard, and now it's your time to shine.  I know you will go out there and make us all proud.  Some of the state's finest young people are right here in the Upper Thumb.  Parents and teachers, you have worked hard, too, to prepare these young people to succeed. 

 We all understand that education is the foundation of a strong community, a strong state, and a strong nation.  That's why we must keep investing in education and supporting our schools.  While our state struggles to move beyond the massive budget crisis that is weighing us down, we have some extremely tough choices to make.  Fortunately, my colleagues and I have agreed on a solution to the immediate crisis, one that spares further cuts to K-12 education.

 It is critical that we create a lean state government and run our schools and other institutions as efficiently as we can.  However, we must remember that our schools are not businesses.  Our schools are the hearts of our communities.  They are where we teach our children to think critically, to act responsibly and to work productively.  They are where we teach our young people the skills and knowledge they need to compete for good-paying jobs.

 As a former school administrator, I know how difficult it can be to help students overcome obstacles to success.  It takes commitment, it takes teamwork, and most of all, it takes resources.  We absolutely must provide educators and schools with the resources they need to achieve these vital tasks.  Investing in education is key to putting Michigan on the road to recovery.  That's why I am very grateful that my colleagues and I have reached an agreement that saves our schools from having to endure a cut of $125 per pupil for the rest of this school year.  Those cuts would have been devastating.  By saving our schools, we are protecting the most powerful tool we have for fixing our economy.  And, we are investing in our most powerful resource: our people.

 If you have thoughts on education or on any other issue that affects our community, as always, I welcome your comments.  By working together, we can achieve more than any of us could ever achieve alone.    

 Please feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284.  Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry."

 Go out there and make it a great day!  And graduates, you go out there and make your dreams come true! 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-graduation-and-the-importance-of-education/166.mp3' length='2820864' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Wind, biomass and ethanol</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-biomass-and-ethanol/165</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 28 May 2007 10:13:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-wind-biomass-and-ethanol/165</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  Welcome to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."     

 As you know, one of my main priorities is ensuring that our residents have the opportunity to work at good-paying jobs.  It is becoming more and more clear that renewable energy will play a key role in providing those jobs.  Here in the Thumb, we are in a prime position to profit from increased demand for renewable energy.  Just in the past week or so, two projects that will contribute to economic growth in our area were announced.  First, John Deere Wind Energy is investing in a project in Oliver and Chandler townships.  Wind is the fastest-growing sector of the renewable energy sector, and being on the shore of Lake Huron, the Upper Thumb is an attractive place for investors like John Deere.  Second, the U.S. Department of Labor is investing in a partnership between the Huron County Economic Development Corporation and Laker schools. This project will focus on producing renewable energy from biomass, which consists mostly of materials normally considered agricultural waste.  We are very fortunate to be chosen as a training ground for this kind of project, which will help create jobs in emerging industries.

 Biomass can be used in several ways, including as material to produce ethanol.  Using biomass allows farmers to get money for materials they would otherwise have to discard. It also allows us to diversify sources of ethanol, so we are not relying solely on corn.  Ethanol plants have to be equipped to use biomass, however.  That's why I have sponsored legislation to reward ethanol plants that use innovative technology to produce ethanol.  The plan provides a tax credit for existing facilities that use any number of technological advances, including technology that enables biomass to be processed into ethanol.     

 I have also co-sponsored legislation that would require 20 percent of the state's electricity to come from clean, renewable sources by 2020.  This clean energy bill has the bipartisan support of more than 40 legislators in the House and the Senate.

 By increasing the demand for renewable energy, we will attract more companies - more employers - to Huron and Tuscola counties.  We have the expertise, the experience, and the talented work-force here to be the worldwide leader in this cutting-edge field.  Our work here in the Upper Thumb will help produce jobs for our residents as well as for our fellow Americans.  As a member of the House Energy and Technology Committee, I will continue to push for projects and policies that support renewable energy efforts here in Huron and Tuscola counties.  I firmly believe that the renewable energy revolution happening right in front of us is going to help turn our state around.

 As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments on renewable energy or on any other issue that affects our community.

 Please feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284.  Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry."

 Go out there and make it a great day! 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-wind-biomass-and-ethanol/165.mp3' length='3130368' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Honoring Our Armed Forces</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-honoring-our-armed-forces/164</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2007 15:29:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-honoring-our-armed-forces/164</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.   I'd like to welcome you to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."

 This week, with Memorial Day coming up, I want to pay tribute to the brave men and women who are serving in our country's military.  Memorial Day is the day we honor our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members who have so selflessly answered the call to protect our freedom.   Memorial Day is a time for Americans to reconnect with our history and core values by honoring those who gave their lives for the ideals we cherish.  More than a million American service members have died in the wars and conflicts this nation has fought since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775 to fight for independence.  

 Each person who died during those conflicts was a unique individual cherished by friends and family.  Each was a loss to their community and our nation.  From the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812...from the Civil War to the Spanish-American War...from World War I to World War II...from the Korean War to the war in Vietnam...and to the wars of today.  

 Sacrifice has always been a way of life for our soldiers, Marines, and others who proudly wear the uniform.  They trade the comforts of home for the unfamiliar surroundings of a foreign land.  They trade the security of their civilian jobs for the danger of life on the front lines.  They leave behind sons and daughters who adore them.  They leave behind spouses and parents who love them and worry constantly about their safety. 

 The soldier's life has not changed much over the years.  Thankfully, advances in technology make it easier for soldiers to write home more often than in wars past.   We can now connect with someone almost instantaneously through e-mail.  Updates from home are lifelines for soldiers half a world away. 

 Whether or not you know someone fighting overseas, you can write a letter to one of our soldiers expressing your gratitude for their sacrifice and (for) letting them know someone at home is thinking of them.  A letter from you could make a soldier's day and help give them courage and strength.

 Even in our modern era, some things about war will never change.  Soldiers will always sacrifice.  Loved ones will always pray for their safe return. 

 I would like to thank all of our men and women in uniform for their commitment and service to our country, communities, families and the American way of life. I hope you will join me at one of the Memorial Day events taking place around Huron and Tuscola counties to honor our men and women in uniform and acknowledge the sacrifices so many have made in our name.

 As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments about issues facing our community.

 Please feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. 
Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry."

 Make it a great day! 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-honoring-our-armed-forces/164.mp3' length='3108480' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: The Role of Hunting, Fishing and Boating in Our State</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-the-role-of-hunting-fishing-and-boating-in-our-state/163</link>
	<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2007 14:07:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-the-role-of-hunting-fishing-and-boating-in-our-state/163</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ Hi, I'm state Representative Terry Brown.  I'd like to welcome you to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry." 

 At the Capitol, my colleagues and I have been working on solutions to our state's unprecedented budget crisis.  We've also been working on ways to develop our economy and create more jobs.  Hunting, fishing and boating play a prominent role in those efforts.  Those activities, which so many of us grew up learning from our parents and grandparents, make up important traditions here in the Upper Thumb.  In Huron and Tuscola counties, about 25,000 residents have licenses for fishing and hunting.  More than 7,000 people own their own boats.  These pursuits are also key to bringing in money from visitors attracted to the rich land and pristine waters that make our area unique.  Hunters, anglers and boaters each contribute $2 billion to our state's economy each year.  That's a whopping $6 billion annually, and I want to make sure our communities get our fair share.

 As an avid outdoorsman, I also want to make sure that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same special way of life that we do.  Now, that won't happen on its own - we have to fight for our way of life.  One step we need to take is to preserve our land. 

 I recently voted for a bill that will require the DNR to replace any hunting land that it sells with an equal amount of new land for hunting.  We also need to spread the word about all that the Upper Thumb has to offer in the way of outdoor activities.  As one of three legislators on a new House Tourism Promotion work group, I am working on finding ways to increase the tourism industry's role in Michigan's new economy and attract more investment in tourism-related businesses.  More investment means more revenue for our local governments and more jobs for our residents.

 Finally, I believe we have to keep these activities affordable, especially hunting.  I have been hearing from a lot of you who are concerned about the possibility of increased hunting fees.  We do have to take a look at the need to fund fish and game management - that is true.  At the same time, I never want something as important and as fulfilling as hunting to become financially out of reach for anyone.  I think we need to proceed slowly and cautiously with any potential fee increases.

 If you have thoughts or concerns about any of these issues - or anything else that's on your mind - I encourage you to contact me.  I take your concerns and your ideas very seriously.

 Please feel free to call me, toll free, at (888) 254-5284. 
Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.

 You can also check my web site to see what I am working on at the Capitol and find out what community events I have planned in our area.  The Web site is house.mi.gov/tbrown.

 Thank you for listening to "Talking With Terry," and please be safe out there on the water this summer.

 Make it a great day! 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-the-role-of-hunting-fishing-and-boating-in-our-state/163.mp3' length='3052032' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
	<item>
	<title>Talking with Terry: Budget Crisis, Renewable Energy, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway</title>
	<link>http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-budget-crisis-renewable-energy-and-the-veterans-of-foreign-wars-memorial-highway/162</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2007 16:05:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://084.housedems.com/podcast/listen/talking-with-terry-budget-crisis-renewable-energy-and-the-veterans-of-foreign-wars-memorial-highway/162</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[ 

 

 Hi, I'm State Representative Terry Brown.  I represent the 84th District, and I'd like to welcome you to my weekly update, "Talking with Terry."     

 Last week, my colleagues and I took a big step toward resolving the budget crisis that threatens to paralyze our state.  The House passed a plan that accomplishes two vital goals.  First, it rewards businesses that invest in Michigan.  By expanding tax credits and other incentives, we will make Michigan a more attractive place to start or expand a business.  We need a plan like this to motivate employers to invest in our area, and create jobs for our residents.  

 Second, the plan protects funding for local governments.  It keeps money flowing toward communities so they can provide vital services like education, health care, and police and fire protection.  This plan has the potential to transform Michigan by creating jobs that our residents need and maintain the services that our communities need.  

 I also support another plan that will help create jobs and attract investment money to our area.  That plan requires 20% of the state's electricity to come from clean, renewable resources by 2020.  Here in the Thumb, we are ahead of the curve when it comes to renewable energy.  We have the first-hand experience and talented work-force to show the rest of the state and the rest of the country how to use wind, ethanol, and other renewable resources to meet our energy needs.  

 A lot of money is going to be spent on renewable energy, and we want to keep our fair share in our communities.  Requiring the state to use more renewable energy will help create jobs right here in Tuscola and Huron counties.  It will also help make our state less dependent on foreign oil.  Renewable energy holds a lot of promise for the Thumb and we need to keep investing in it.

 Finally I want to mention the new road signs that you may have noticed along a stretch of M-81 in Tuscola county.  The signs dedicate the road as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway.  When you drive by one of these signs, please take a minute to think about the enormous debt we owe our veterans.  Think about people like Private First Class Garrett Knoll, who gave his life fighting for our country.  Think about the thousands of men and women who are fighting our freedom right now, putting their lives on the line day after day.  America is free only because of the sacrifice and courage of our armed forces.  Our veterans deserve our eternal gratitude and respect, and these road signs are one small way of honoring them.

 Well, that's all the time we have for today.  Please remember that I am here to serve you and represent you in our state capitol.  If you have thoughts or concerns or ideas about any state government issue, I encourage you to contact me.  I take your concern and your thoughts very seriously.  Please feel free to call me toll-free at (888) 254-5284.  Or you can email me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  You can also check my web site to see what I'm working on in the capitol and find out what community events I have planned in our area.  The Web site is brown.housedems.com.  

 Thank you for listening to Talking with Terry.  

 Make it a great day!

 

 

 ]]></description>
	<enclosure url='http://084.housedems.com/podcast/play/talking-with-terry-budget-crisis-renewable-energy-and-the-veterans-of-foreign-wars-memorial-highway/162.mp3' length='3123072' type='audio/mpeg'/>
	</item>
</channel>
</rss>
