Consumer's Corner is now being shown locally on public access stations across the state.
Email us at dlegcableshow@michigan.gov if you wish to:
-Suggest a consumer idea for a future Consumer's Corner show;
-Share a comment or question about a recent Consumer's Corner;
-Know if Consumer's Corner is available on a public access station in your area

Cable Systems, Dates and Times for Consumer's Corner

Consumer’s Corner

Consumer’s Corner focuses on helping Michigan families make informed consumer decisions. Check for listings with your local cable provider or visit www.dleg.state.mi.us/consumerscorner.

Produced by the Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Office of Communications, Media Technology Division

DLEG is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids, services and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Currently Airing:

October 2008 - Department of Human Services 2008 “Voices for Action” Poverty Summit

Fighting poverty and the factors that contribute to its growth, is a critical part of the State of Michigan’s plan to strengthen the economy. Learn how the Department of Human Services Voices for Action Poverty Summit will facilitate the action needed to eliminate poverty and get struggling Michigan families back on the road to economic recovery.

Guest: Ishmael Ahmed, Director, Department of Human Services

www.michigan.gov/dhs
www.michigan.gov/poverty

Previous Shows:

August 2008 - State Insurance Consumer Advocate

Meet new State of Michigan Insurance Consumer Advocate, Melvin Butch Hollowell. Learn how his mission of home and automobile insurance reform will lead the way to more affordable rates and improved service for Michigan’s residents.

Guest: Melvin Butch Hollowell, State Insurance Consumer Advocate, Office of the State Insurance Consumer Advocate

www.Michigan.gov/lowerratesnow

July 2008 - UIA Debit Card & Direct Deposit System

The Unemployment Insurance Agency is committed to re-engineering its products and services in order to ensure quality service to Michigan’s unemployed workers. Learn how the UIA’s new debit card and direct deposit system will improve service to unemployed workers by allowing greater flexibility in accessing their benefits, while providing a cost savings for the Agency.

Guests:  Chris Peretto, Acting Director, Unemployment Insurance Agency; John Hengie, Project Manager, Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Unemployment Insurance Agency:  www.michigan.gov/uia

June, 2008 - DLEG Energy Office & Alternative Fuel Use

Guest:  John Sarver, Energy Office Supervisor of Consumer Education Programs

May, 2008 - A Day in the Life of the Director

Guests: Keith Cooley, Director of DLEG.

April, 2008 - Doing Business with the State/Corporations Division & Electronic Filing

Guests: Ann Baker and Kit Murphy, DLEG's Bureau of Commercial Services Corporation Division.

March, 2008 -Public Service Commission

Guests: Public Service Commission Chair Orjiakor Isiogu.

Saving Money on Utilities & Preventing Copper Thefts

February, 2008 - Michigan Cities

Guests: OFIS Commission Ken Ross and MSHDA Urban Revitalization Director James Butler.

Insurance Purchasing Groups, Urban Revitalization and Cool Cities

Guests: MSHDA Home Ownership Division Director Mary Townley and OFIS Commissioner Ken Ross.

October, 2007 - Underage Drinking/Liquor Control Commission

Guests:  Nida Samona, Liquor Control Commission Chair; Dr. Terry Kowalenko, Michigan College of Emergency Physicians; and Evelyn Barnum, Michigan Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

A compilation show that featured previously aired segments on the Land Bank Fast Track Authority and Choosing a Contractor.

Guests: Mitch Irwin, director of Michigan Department of Agriculture
Sean Reed, executive director of the Clean Air Coalition

Governor Granholm has announced Michigan will have 1,000 biofuel pumps by 2008.  This show focuses on the use of ethanol and biodiesel to not only help reduce the demand for foreign oil but grow Michigan’s economy by investing in our farmers and alternative fuel research, development and production.

Guest: Peter Lark, chairman of the Public Service Commission

In this edition, Peter Lark details the State’s Energy Plan (www.michigan.gov/mpsc) written under an Executive Directive from Governor Granholm that addresses Michigan's energy needs through the first part of the 21st Century.  Chairman Lark also talks about the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and the Certificate of Need process used when a utility proposes construction of a new plant to generate electricity.

Guests:  Andy Metcalf, director of DLEG’s Bureau of Commercial Services, which regulates the ski and amusement industry in Michigan and Mark Doman, who supervises the division.

Amusement rides are traditionally part of summer fun in Michigan. That's why on today's show we're going to focus on how the state regulates amusement parks, fun centers, water parks, as well as countless fairs and festivals. The majority of accidents that occur on rides are caused by riders themselves so we'll also talk about tips for parents and riders to stay safe this summer.

Guests: Henry Green, Director of the Bureau of Construction Codes & Fire Safety
Dave Schertizing, a residential home builder from Lansing.

If you are even thinking of building a home or working on a home construction project, you'll want to see this show which offers tipson how you can avoid making costly mistakes or being "taken" by unscrupulous contractors.

The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority was created by Governor Granholm in 2003 to return blighted tax reverted properties to productive and economically viable use.

The State of Michigan is selling more than 900 tax reverted properties in Genesee, Saginaw, Ingham, Monroe, Lake, Ottawa and Wayne counties. If you are looking to invest in property to build a home or business anywhere in Michigan, contact http://www.michigan.gov/landbank.

Guest:  Peter Lark, Chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission

The Michigan Public Service Commission plays a key role in many aspects of your daily life at home and business – and you may not even realize it. The PSC protects consumers by regulating natural gas, electric and telephone utilities. And PSC recently added a new service - the Protect Michigan Child registry - in an effort to block minors from receiving electronic messages for products that are illegal for young people.

Topic: Office of Financial and Insurance Services and MI Opportunity Partnership

Chances are you had someone special in your life who has encouraged you and showed you the ropes …a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, family friend or family member. Unfortunately there are many kids today who don’t have a mentor in their lives. Governor Granholm has proclaimed January as Mentoring Month in an effort to encourage adults to get involved. This show focuses on the need for mentors, particularly males and people of color.

Website: Mentor Michigan www.michigan.gov/mentormichigan

February, 2006 - Cool Workplaces

Guest Host: Michigan’s First Gentleman Daniel Granholm Mulhern

Guests: Mary Kramer, Crain’s Publisher
               Deb Hanses, Republic Bancorp’s Executive Vice President of  Corporate Human Resources
               Deidre Bounds, Brogan & Partners Managing Partner

The State of Michigan teamed up with Crain’s Detroit Business, Grand Rapids Business Journal and the American Society of Employers to launch the “Cool Places to Work” Competition. Together they had a statewide hunt for employers who have created work environments that attract and retain quality workers, especially younger workers. Find out what makes a workplace “cool” by watching Consumer’s Corner.

Website: 2005 Cool Places to Work Contest