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	<title>Mary Valentine's podcast.</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcasts/</link>
	<description>Mary Valentine's podcast.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
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	<title>Legislation Aims to Protect Michigan's Waters</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/legislation-aims-to-protect-michigans-waters/330</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[I think it's time in Michigan to take strong measure to protect our water resources. As the water has dried up, and I can see it all around in my area in Muskegon, lakes are shrinking, the bayous that used to be there don't have as much water in them anymore, and as this begins to happen we need to make sure that people are not coming into our state, taking our water, and leaving the area with it. 

 So we need to put some measures in place. The challenge with water is that there are so many different uses for it. We have manufacturing, we have farming, we have recreation, we have tourism and so we need to make sure that we protect those waters in a way that is fair to all of those groups and so that's where, when there's a challenge, that's what it is. We want to make sure that this legislation is fair for the trout fisherman, and the whole industry that is built up around that, and the people that like to go boating and kayaking and canoeing and the whole industry that is built up around that, we also want to make sure that we're fair to the farmers. Agriculture is the second strongest industry in this state we have to make sure that we protect our farmers. And so its balancing all of these pieces can be a little tricky but that's what we're working on.

 ]]></description>
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	<title>Reflections on the 'Hire Michigan First' Town Hall</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/reflections-on-the-hire-michigan-first-town-hall/331</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 10:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[

   Well the town hall went just great. We had a really nice turnout and a lot of great discussion. People we're very interested in learning all about it and it's a really good piece of legislation. If the State of Michigan is going to spend money on a company, we want them to look at Michigan workers first to hire and that's basically what this legislation does and people were very excited about it at the meeting and had lots of questions and great discussion.

 ]]></description>
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	<item>
	<title>Rep. Valentine's Radio Report: DNR Provides Camper Storage</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-valentines-radio-report-dnr-provides-camper-storage/329</link>
	<pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2008 15:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[To save Michigan residents money, Michigan state parks and recreation areas are offering free storage for campers.  

  

 Officials have announced a new program this camping season that will offer campers the opportunity to save on fuel costs by temporarily storing their camping trailer or recreational vehicle at specified state parks or recreation areas in-between their camping stays. Storage of the camping units will be free, but are limited to 15 days at a time. 

 We know that higher fuel prices will make it challenging for some Michigan residents to travel as often this summer to enjoy their favorite state park or recreation area campground. This program will allow campers to save over 30% on fuel by leaving their camping trailer, motor home, or boat and trailer up north rather than driving or towing it back and forth from home.

 Campers wishing to take advantage of this program will need to show proof of a recent (within one week) camping stay at a Michigan state park or recreation area.

 For more information and a list of State parks and recreation areas that are participating, please go to www.michigan.gov/DNR and select the "Camper Storage" button on the left side of the page.    

 This service is available now through September 15th.  

 If you have any questions about this topic or any other issue that you may have concerns with, please don't hesitate to contact me.  You can call my toll-free number, (877) 633-0331 or e-mail me at maryvalentine@house.mi.gov.

 I am here to serve you.  Thanks for listening!

 ]]></description>
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	<item>
	<title>Rep. Valentine's Radio Report: Renewable Energy</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/rep-valentines-radio-report-renewable-energy/323</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[I'm State Representative Mary Valentine.  Thank you for visiting my webpage.  One of the things that we have been working on in the House of Representatives is renewable energy and how Michigan can be more energy efficient.    

  

 At least two dozen other states are attracting thousands of "green-collar" jobs and millions of dollars in private investment by requiring that a certain amount of their electricity come from clean, renewable sources. 

  

 To capture these jobs and other economic benefits of the rapidly growing renewable energy industry, the House has passed legislation that would enable Michigan to enact its own Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). 

  

 The Legislature has heard from major renewable energy providers who are waiting for Michigan to establish an RPS - providing a stable, reliable market - before committing to investing here. 

  

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

  

 Every kilowatt hour we produce from renewable sources is one less kilowatt hour we need to get from oil, natural gas and coal.

  

 The Renewable Portfolio Standard is part of the House Energy Plan, which will provide residents and businesses with affordable electricity well into the future. And it assures that companies from around the world who are considering investing in Michigan that we can provide access to the stable, reliable energy supply they need to do business.

 If you have comments or questions about this legislation, or any other state government issue that you might be interested in, please give me a call toll-free at (877) 633-0331, or email me at maryvalentine@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you.

 I hope to see you soon, thanks for listening.  

  

  

 ]]></description>
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	</item>
	<item>
	<title>'Great Waters, Great Michigan' Plan Advances to House Floor</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/great-waters-great-michigan-plan-advances-to-house-floor/320</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2008 16:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[This plan will protect against the excessive use of Michigan and Great Lakes water.  The entire package has now advanced from the Great Lakes and Environment Committee and onto the House floor.

  

 Our three biggest industries - manufacturing, agriculture and tourism - depend heavily on healthy Great Lakes and Michigan water.  By protecting our water, we are protecting all the jobs that depend on it, and all the money that our water brings into our local communities. This plan says that our water is staying right here where it belongs.

  

  

  

 ]]></description>
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	<item>
	<title>Valentine to Hold &quot;Hire Michigan First&quot; Town Hall</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/valentine-to-hold-hire-michigan-first-town-hall/315</link>
	<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2008 11:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[I support the Hire Michigan First plan which will ensure that Michigan residents get the first crack at jobs created by companies benefiting from state economic development programs or tax breaks.  

  

 If you would like to learn more about "Hire Michigan First", I hope that you will be able to come to my Town Hall Meeting on Thursday May 15th.  It will be from 7pm - 8:30pm at Muskegon Community College in the Stevenson Center, Room 1312.  

  

 Working families are facing increasingly difficult times and have been hit hard by downsizing and outsourcing.  Every job we protect and create makes a difference to our working families and helps put Michigan back on track.  

  

 I hope to see you there!

 ]]></description>
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	<item>
	<title>Reflecting on the State of the State Address</title>
	<link>http://091.housedems.com/podcast/listen/reflecting-on-the-state-of-the-state-address/239</link>
	<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
	<category>Podcasts</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[I was delighted with the State of the State.  I thought she was absolutely right.  The four areas that she outlined that we need to address; jobs for every workers, education for all of our young people, high quality healthcare and public safety.  And I thought she did a magnificent job of leading in the direction of bi-partisan agreement.  Pull together, work together, for the people of this state.  I thought that she did a wonderful job, wonderful leadership.  I was very delighted with what she did. I was pleased that she complimented Republicans and Democrats for the legislation that we've worked on together.  Because that's what this is about: pulling together for our state. 

]]></description>
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