Move necessary due to issues with current option

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Secretary of State today announced that customers can still renew their license plate tabs or watercraft registration online using an alternative Online Renewal System.

A link to this temporary option is available by clicking on “Online Services” at michigan.gov/sos.

“Even though they’ve had 10 years to complete a re-designed SOS computer system, the vendor failed to deliver so we had to terminate the contract,” Johnson said. “We even had to sue to get the vendor to show up to work and give the state access to our own computer code.

“The time spent in court fighting the vendor to return to work and give the state the computer code delayed vital work on ExpressSOS.com and significantly affected our customers’ ability to use the online services. We’re committed to finding a permanent solution that meets our customers’ needs. In the meantime, we want to make sure customers know we have a temporary option.”

If eligible, customers can still renew or replace their driver’s license or ID card, process address changes or request a duplicate title or registration through ExpressSOS.com. With the Print ’N Go option, customers can print a proof-of-purchase receipt and drive while they wait for their tabs or license to come in the mail.

While the department continues to finalize some of the processes delayed by issues with the vendor, customers who are having difficulty renewing their vehicle tabs or watercraft registration on ExpressSOS.com are encouraged to try the Online Renewal Service. Customers should be sure to exit ExpressSOS.com before re-trying through the Online Renewal Service.

The Secretary of State offers other ways to do business more conveniently with the department, including Self-Service Stations and MI-TIME Line, which allows customers to schedule an appointment or get in line online at 18 of the busiest offices.

Background information about the vendor, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Co., is available here and here.

Residents encouraged to consider organ, tissue and eye donation

DETROIT, Mich. – Citing an increased need for organ, tissue and eye donors, especially in Wayne County, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today encouraged residents to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.

“With more than 3,500 people awaiting a potentially life-saving organ transplant, we still need more names on the registry,” Johnson said as dozens of organ donation volunteers visited Secretary of State offices statewide to encourage people to sign up. “This is especially true in Wayne County, where one-third of all adults waiting for a transplant reside, and where 39 percent of adults are listed on the registry, compared to nearly 55 percent of adults statewide.”

Johnson was joined by Rick Hillbom, interim CEO for Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue recovery program; Diana Kern, executive director for Eversight Michigan, the state’s cornea and eye tissue recovery program; those waiting for an organ, and family members whose loved ones donated organs to save the lives of strangers.

“Our state has made huge advances in creating a culture where donation is the norm, where there’s an expectation that people will choose to save and improve lives,” Hillbom said. “We could not have come this far without the dedication and support of our Secretary of State colleagues. Donation is a selfless act that leaves a legacy of generosity.”

Johnson presented Shining Star Awards to Deacon Lawrence Bailey, the Rev. Ronald Copeland and Artelia Griggs for their work with the Angels for Life program. Angels for Life reaches out through churches and other houses of worship to share the need for organ donors. All three of the awardees have been instrumental in sharing the message in Detroit and Wayne County, according to Gift of Life Michigan. Bailey is a kidney recipient. Copeland is a liver recipient and Griggs is a donor mother.

Johnson also announced the statewide Transplant Center Challenge, a competition between each of Michigan’s nine transplant centers to see who can add the most new donors to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry over the next year. Four of the transplant centers are located in Wayne County, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Harper University Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital and St. John Hospital and Medical Center.

Johnson made huge changes in the way the Secretary of State’s office approached organ donation after she was elected in 2010. At that time only 27 percent of eligible residents had signed up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Working with her partners like Gift of Life Michigan and Eversight Michigan, she created an advisory task force, put organ donor reminders on widely-used SOS forms, enlisted social media and directed employees to ask customers if they wanted to sign up, doubling the percentage of names on the list. About 85 percent of people who sign up do so through the Secretary of State’s Office.

Today marks Donate Life Day when dozens of volunteers from Gift of Life Michigan, Eversight Michigan and Michigan Lions and Lioness Clubs visit Secretary of State offices across the state to tell their stories. These volunteers have a personal connection to organ donation, either as recipients, family and friends of donors or people currently waiting for an organ.

“On Donate Life Day last year, thanks to more than 120 volunteers, we added 1,619 new names to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry,” Kern said. “We are so grateful to the Secretary of State and her staff for their dedication to improving and saving lives across the state.”

According to national statistics, 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant. However, one donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

Anyone can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry by visiting www.Michigan.gov/sos or any Secretary of State office. Those who sign up receive a heart emblem for their driver’s license that indicates their decision to be an organ donor. A new card with a permanent heart emblem is issued at renewal time.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, MDOT and other officials unveil resources to help aging drivers

Residents 65 and older comprise the fastest growing segment of the state’s population
LANSING – If you are concerned about an aging loved one’s driving habits or what will happen when it’s time to give up the keys, finding help can be challenging.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and a coalition of stakeholders are providing some much-needed answers through a new state resource for aging drivers, their families and the professionals that work with them. The Safe Drivers Smart Options: Keys to Lifelong Mobility website was officially launched today to provide information about driving, mobility and aging.

“In our car-centric world, seniors don’t want to lose their independence,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to help aging drivers develop strategies that will keep them driving for as long as it is safe to do so. The website also provides options and resources that can ease the transition when the time comes for an aging loved one to give up the car keys.”

Johnson timed the announcement, which was held at the Michigan Library and Historical Center Forum, to coincide with the start of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Joining her was Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue; David Wresinski, Transportation Planning Bureau director for the Michigan Department of Transportation; and Paula Kartje, a licensed occupational therapist and driver rehabilitation specialist.

The Safe Drivers Smart Options website at www.michigan.gov/agingdriver is a statewide strategy to address the mobility needs of Michigan’s aging population. The goal is to make sure drivers, their families and professionals have the tools needed to keep aging individuals safe and mobile, whether that’s behind the wheel of a car or on public transportation. Some of the many resources provided through the website will help:

– Aging drivers in assessing their driving skills, finding classes and training specifically for mature drivers, identifying issues that may adversely affect their driving ability, developing strategies that allow them to continue driving safely, and understanding what to do when the time comes to stop driving.

– Families and friends talk with aging drivers about their driving and any problems that are evident, provide resources for families to assist aging drivers in retiring from driving and in finding alternate sources of transportation.

– Connect healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel and other professional caregivers that work with older adults to resources to better evaluate the needs and concerns of aging drivers, identify physical and mental health issues that impede driving and develop coping strategies to enhance mobility safely.

“Ensuring the safety of the motoring public is a priority for law enforcement,” stated Etue. “The materials available on the Safe Drivers Smart Options website put important safety information and resources readily available at the click of a mouse to anyone seeking specific assistance and guidance when dealing with an aging driver.”

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Michigan Department of Transportation, Secretary of State and Michigan State Police, along with the expertise of numerous other state and private sector organizations, provided the resources for the website.

“When MDOT initiated the idea for an older driver safety strategy in 2013, we knew it had to be a joint effort with a variety of partners,” Wresinski said. “These include healthcare, social services, and public safety officials. It’s a great example of government and non-governmental organizations working together.”

Partner organizations include AARP Michigan, AAA, Michigan Trauma Coalition, and Michigan Academy of Family Physicians.

Michigan has one of the oldest populations in the country. According to the 2010 census, 14 percent of residents are age 65 or older, and this age group is the fastest growing demographic in the state. Secretary of State records show that for drivers 65 and older, there are currently 1,382,133 Michigan residents with a driver’s license compared to 1,049,582 license holders of the same ages in 2005.

“I’m very excited that we now have a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate resource that provides opportunities for driver self-assessment, educational information to keep people driving for as long as possible, and resources to guide drivers, families and professionals through the driving retirement process when necessary,” Kartje said.

“We’re very proud of this latest tool to help motorists stay safe on the road,” Johnson said. “This website takes a challenging and difficult topic and makes it easy to get the answers you and your family need to keep an aging loved one safe and mobile.”

For more information, visit the Safe Drivers Smart Options website at www.michigan.gov/agingdriver.

For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau or Fred Woodhams at 517-373-2520.

For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:
To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Kent County judge today ordered global information technology company Hewlett-Packard to turn over computer source code to the state of Michigan. The court recognized in its ruling that success on the state’s breach of contract claim “appeared inevitable,” and that the state was the rightful owner of the computer source code.

“We respect the ruling of the court, and its recognition that the state was wrongfully deprived of property it had fully paid for,” Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said. “It’s a shame we had to take them to court to force them to honor their agreement and responsibilities.”

The state of Michigan terminated its contract with HP for cause in August, and subsequently sued HP in Kent County Circuit Court in September after the company failed to deliver on a $49 million contract. Michigan becomes the sixth state motor vehicle agency, along with those in California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico and Vermont, that is no longer working with the company, according to media reports.

Today’s ruling addressed the state’s request for an injunction to force HP to provide computer source code that is necessary to ensure the state’s ability to maintain and manage its ExpressSOS website, which is used by millions of Michigan residents. The larger lawsuit brought by the state for breach of the contract continues to move through the court system.
For now, the state’s focus is on getting the knowledge and systems in place for a smooth transition away from HP. Based on the court’s decision, the state now can focus on implementing the requirements of the new road funding law and seek a qualified vendor to replace HP.

For media questions, please call Gisgie Gendreau or Fred Woodhams at 517-373-2520.
For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:
To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Johnson encourages parent participation during National Teen Driver Safety Week

LANSING, Mich. – Parents need to know that the greatest risk to teenagers is a traffic crash and what they teach their young driver can help avoid a tragedy, says Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.

As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, Johnson is encouraging parents to be more involved in teaching their kids safe driving behaviors.

Johnson also announced winning high schools in the Distraction-Free Detroit contest that was part of her department’s campaign with The Sam Bernstein Law Firm to educate teens about the dangers of distracted driving.

The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office and The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program are promoting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “5 to Drive” campaign as part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs Oct. 18-24.

“Even though your teen might be gaining independence and getting older, protecting them from harm shouldn’t stop,” said Johnson, herself a mother of a teenager. “The ‘5 to Drive’ campaign and The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program give parents the tools they need to keep their children driver safe.”

The campaign encourages parents to talk to their young drivers about five critical safe driving recommendations:

No cell phones while driving
No extra passengers who cause distractions
No speeding
No alcohol
No driving or riding without a seat belt

Crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-to-18-year-olds in the United States, according to NHTSA. In 2013, 2,614 teen (15-to-19-year-old) drivers were involved in fatal crashes and an estimated 130,000 were injured. In nearly 6 out of 10 incidents, driver distraction was involved, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. A recent NHTSA survey showed that only 25 percent of parents have had a serious talk with their kids about the key components of driving.

Johnson has partnered with the national nonprofit group Safe Roads Alliance since 2013 to offer The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program, a comprehensive instructional tool aimed at helping parents coach their teens. Program guidebooks are given to parents of teens who receive a Level 1 Learner’s License. A free mobile app, RoadReady®, is also available to log the required minimum 50 hours of supervised driving time including 10 hours at night.

“The first six months of independent driving are the most dangerous that a driver will face in his or her lifetime,” said Safe Roads Alliance President Jeff Larason.

More information for parents is available at www.theparentssuperviseddrivingprogram.com and at www.safercar.gov/parents.

In the Distraction-Free Detroit contest that concluded Oct. 12, high-schoolers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties had the opportunity to take a stand against distracted driving and win $2,500 for their school provided by The Sam Bernstein Law Firm.

About 5,000 students at participating schools went to Michigan.gov/TeenDriver to take a pledge against distracted driving. More than 2,500 parents, school faculty, staff and supporters also went to the site to take a quiz. Total points earned were divided by school population and winners were selected in the four enrollment-based classifications.

The schools, ranked by participation rate:

Class A – Marion HS (Bloomfield Hills), Riverview HS, Utica HS, St. Mary Preparatory HS (Orchard Lake), Franklin HS (Livonia), Southfield HS, Warren Mott HS, Carlson HS (Gibraltar), Romeo HS, Groves HS (Beverly Hills), Troy HS, Stevenson HS (Sterling Heights), Seaholm HS (Birmingham), Novi HS, Utica Eisenhower HS (Shelby Township), Athens HS (Troy)

Class B – South Lake HS (St. Clair Shores), Advanced Technology Academy (Dearborn), Lamphere HS (Madison Heights), César Chávez Academy HS (Detroit), Clarenceville HS (Livonia), University Prep Science & Math HS (Detroit), Regina HS (Warren)

Class C – Memphis HS, Shrine Catholic HS (Royal Oak), West Side Academy (Detroit)

Class D – Universal Academy (Detroit), Westside Christian Academy (Detroit), Auburn Hills Christian School

Johnson commended all schools and students for participating and gave special mention to Utica High School, which didn’t have the highest participation rate but led all schools with 883 pledges taken by students against distracted driving.

“We are honored to work together with Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to raise awareness about this critically important issue,” said Mark Bernstein, president and managing partner of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm. “We are thrilled that this program has educated teens about the risks related to distracted driving. This is just the beginning of our work. There is much to be done.”

For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:
To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Project was to replace aging Secretary of State computer system

LANSING, Mich. – The state of Michigan today sued Hewlett-Packard Co. in Kent County Circuit Court after it failed to deliver on a $49 million contract despite having 10 years to complete the project to replace aging computer systems at Secretary of State offices around the state.

“I inherited a stalled project when I came into office in 2011 and, despite our aggressive approach to hold HP accountable and ensure they delivered, they failed,” Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said. “We have no choice but to take HP to court to protect Michigan taxpayers.”

The suit comes after months of negotiations which culminated in the state issuing a termination for cause letter on Aug. 28. Despite requirements in the contract that – even if terminated – HP still must provide support to ensure services to Michigan are not affected, HP staff has failed to report to work since Aug. 31.

Since 2005, global information technology company HP has been the contractor for the Business Application Modernization project, which was supposed to replace the Secretary of State’s mainframe-based computer system used by all 131 offices and many internal work areas. The legacy system, which was largely built in the late 1960s with now-outdated programming languages, is costly to maintain and update. The 2010 deadline for HP to deliver the system replacement was not met and the department continues to use legacy systems.

For now, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and SOS staff will work to continue to provide the best customer service possible.

Shortly after taking office in 2011, Johnson publicly addressed the project’s lack of progress after the state had already paid out $27.5 million for a system that, at the time she took office, had not delivered a single function to the state.

In partnership with DTMB, Johnson successfully demanded HP reset the terms of the contract to put in place clear timelines for delivery and penalties if HP was unable to deliver. HP agreed to the renegotiated contract.

Based on media reports, Michigan joins the motor-vehicle agencies in five other states – California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico and Vermont – who have also parted with HP after attempting similar computer modernization projects.

“Our DTMB partners and I are gravely disappointed that this action to sue is necessary, but HP simply failed the state of Michigan,” Johnson said. “Our focus now will be on looking for options that allow us to continue to provide the best possible service at the lowest possible cost to our customers.”

For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:
To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson promotes participation

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today encouraged people across the state to participate in the 25th Annual Michigan Harvest Gathering food drive.

Johnson and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette joined the Food Bank Council of Michigan in promoting the campaign during an event at the Lansing City Market today. Schuette and his wife co-founded the annual effort in 1991.

“For 25 years, the Harvest Gathering campaign has seen the people of our great state stand together to not only feed the hungry but to bring them hope,” Johnson said. “Michigan families saw some dark days during those 25 years but Harvest Gathering has never let those families down. I want to thank everyone here today, from the people working the food banks to the truck drivers, sponsors and office workers, for keeping the momentum going.”

Johnson also praised Secretary of State staff for making the food drive so successful every year. Since 2011, Secretary of State offices have collected almost 30 tons of food donations. The Secretary of State portion of the Harvest Gathering campaign runs through Nov. 25 this year.

“Secretary of State offices throughout Michigan have provided vital outreach into local communities for this campaign,” said Phillip Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. “Michigan Harvest Gathering could not be celebrating this milestone year without the support of such dedicated partners in hunger relief.”

In Michigan, 16 percent of households struggle to put food on the table and 21 percent of children don’t know where their next meal will come from, according to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The organization coordinates the program, which supplies the state’s regional food banks through donations of food and money. The regional food banks serve food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in every Michigan county.

In 2014, the entire Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign collected 386,922 pounds (193 tons) of food and more than $375,000. This year, the campaign’s goal is to collect enough food and funds for two million meals.

Nonperishable food items with a valid expiration date can be dropped off at any Secretary of State office.

Food items especially needed include:  canned meats, dry beans, soups, beef stew, pasta products, peanut butter and tuna. Other items include baby food or formula, diapers, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. The Food Bank requests donors avoid items in glass, as they often break in transit. Financial donations may be made online at www.feedmichigan.org.

For media questions, please call Gisgie Gendreau
or Fred Woodhams at 517-373-2520.
For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:

To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Watercraft renewal notices are sent in March

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds boat owners of the ease and convenience of renewing their watercraft registration online at ExpressSOS.com as her office begins sending out more than 252,000 watercraft renewal notices.

“I encourage all boat owners to renew online,” Johnson said. “Where would you rather be, preparing your boat for a fun-filled season on the lake, or renewing your registration in person? Renewing online is quick and easy, leaving you more time to enjoy your boat.”

In 2014, more than 47,000 watercraft renewals were submitted online.

ExpressSOS.com offers two methods for renewal. Express Renewal is fast and easy, requiring only the boat’s registration number to renew. Online Renewal PLUS lists all vehicles and watercraft eligible for renewal and lets customers complete other online transactions at the same time, such as changing an address or renewing a driver’s license.

Michigan reaches historic milestone: More than half of all adults are now registered organ donors. In the last four years, 1.8 million more people sign up to give the gift of life.

 LANSING – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today announced that the number of Michigan adults registered as organ, tissue and eye donors has now surpassed 50 percent and she credited her staff with helping to bring out the record-breaking growth.

Johnson was joined by partners from Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank at the Hamtramck Area PLUS Office on 9001 Joseph Campau Street in Hamtramck to thank Secretary of State staff and customers for their continued support of Michigan’s Organ Donor  Registry. Other volunteers visited branches statewide to thank staff for their efforts.

“When I first took office, Michigan was near the bottom of the list nationally in terms of organ donors, with only 27 percent of eligible residents signed up, ” Johnson said. “Now, thanks to the hard work of branch staff, volunteers and other passionate advocates, we have reached the national average and registering as a donor has become a cultural norm. Every name means hope for the 3,400 people in Michigan still waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant.”

After she was elected in 2010, Johnson made expanding the organ donor rolls a priority but insisted that it be done at little to no cost to taxpayers. She directed her staff to start asking customers if they wanted to sign up, created a task force of leading experts and began promoting organ donor registration throughout her branch offices.  About 85 percent of people who sign up do so through the Secretary of State’s office.

“We thank our partners for their efforts, and we especially thank the people of Michigan for recognizing that they have the power to heal lives by becoming organ, tissue and eye donors,” said Richard Pietroski, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue recovery program.

“Secretary Johnson and her staff work hard to serve the people of Michigan,” said Lisa Langley, executive director of the Michigan Eye-Bank. “Taking the extra time to encourage people to join the registry is appreciated by all those who can see again, walk again or breathe again. We look forward to working with her office as we continue to grow the registry—one person at a time.”

More than 3,825,000 people are on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Every donor has the ability to save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve up to 50 more through cornea and tissue donation.

“People in Michigan are so generous, so caring and want to help others if they can,” Johnson said. “Every name on the donor registry means hope for waiting families. I’m so proud of our Secretary of State employees and their commitment to saving and improving lives throughout this state by asking customers to join the donor registry.”

Anyone can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, regardless of age or medical history. Go to www.ExpressSOS.com, call 800-482-4881 or visit any Secretary of State office.

For more information on organ, eye and tissue donation, visit www.giftoflifemichigan.org or www.michiganeyebank.org. To sign up to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and to access some of the Secretary of State’s most popular services, visit www.ExpressSOS.com.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson promotes new option to waive Driver Responsibility Fees through community service. Nonprofits and those who serve them will also benefit.

DETROIT ‒ About 168,000 people could perform community service instead of paying hundreds of dollars for some Driver Responsibility Fees, a move that benefits both drivers and the agencies that serve Michigan communities around the state, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said recently at the North American International Auto Show.

“Traffic ticket fees, court costs and higher insurance premiums are difficult enough,” Johnson added. “With this new program, motorists can meet their legal obligations while minimizing any added financial burden to their families and while also helping people in their community.”

Johnson voted against the fees as a state representative and has supported eliminating them, calling them a burden. The new program gives motorists an opportunity to eliminate their Driver Responsibility Fees by completing 10 hours of volunteer work for each qualifying assessment on their driving record. The Michigan Department of Treasury mailed a letter with additional information to those who are eligible; more details are also available at http://www.michigan.gov/driverresponsibility.

Sam Slaughter, Detroit Auto Dealers Association president; Lisa Machesky, Lighthouse of Oakland County Chief Executive Officer; and Louis D. Piszker, chief executive officer for the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency joined Johnson at the auto show announcement.

“We know that lack of transportation is a significant barrier to long-term self-sufficiency and financial stability in our community,” Piszker said. “This service program aligns with our mission to empower people. It puts the onus on the individual to take the initiative, fulfill their obligations and move forward on a positive path.”

The Driver Responsibility Fee-Community Service program began Jan.1 and will end on Dec. 31. Eligible candidates must submit an application to the treasury department specifying which qualifying assessments they would like waived and what type of community service they will perform. Once their applications are approved, they will have 45 days to complete their volunteer work. Those with several qualifying assessments may request a deferral for some of them and, if approved, complete the remainder at a later date during the year.

Eligible individuals must volunteer to work for someone other than a family member without receiving any compensation. Volunteer opportunities can include local nonprofits (organizations classified as a 501c(3)), places of worship, schools, or city and state agencies.

The Driver Responsibility Fees that can be erased by community service are for No Proof of Insurance, No Insurance, Driving Without Proper License/Endorsement/Vehicle Group Designator, Driving While License Expired, and Driving While Unlicensed or License Not Valid.

Residents with questions about the program and the qualifications needed to apply can also call the Department of Treasury at 800-950-6227.

Common-sense option to those with Driver’s Responsibility Fees

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today issued the following statement after Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation today giving drivers the option to use community service as a way to pay for Driver Responsibility Fees starting in January:

“I support giving hardworking Michigan families the option to invest in their communities through volunteering as a way of addressing costly Driver Responsibility Fees.

“This is a common-sense option that addresses a double penalty for drivers who already have to pay fines, court costs and, often, higher insurance rates for violations.”

Johnson voted against the creation of the fees in 2003 when she served in the Michigan House. She has worked to see them reduced and in 2011supported the repeal of $150 and $200 Driver Responsibility Fees for minor violations.

For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.

For more about the Secretary of State’s Office:
To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Better technology, best practices will stop scams, catch criminals

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today announced a new plan to thwart scammers trying to take advantage of law-abiding citizens by selling fake insurance or through other tricks. The move is part of her ongoing efforts to protect consumers and fight auto insurance fraud.

The new efforts use cutting-edge technology, expand best practices and maximize resources. They include:
• A comprehensive review of her department’s processes, technology and structure to determine how best to detect and deter fraud.
• Data analysis to identify signs in transactions that may indicate fraud.
• Expanding the verification of the thousands of insurance certificates the department receives from customers daily.
• An upgrade in case management software to give department investigators the best tools for tracking down fraudulent activity.
• A roundtable discussion with business leaders about fraud to seek their advice and ensure the department is following best practices.

“These new measures will strengthen consumer protection and root out fraud,” Johnson said. “Using cutting-edge technology and through our continued use of best practices, we’ll dig deeper into the millions of transactions we process each year to catch criminals running their scams and stop them from taking advantage of law-abiding citizens.”

The Secretary of State’s Office has contracted with a business consulting firm to complete a full review of the department’s business processes, technology and organizational structure as it relates to fraud. The effort will include review of the systems associated with the management and disposition of fraud cases handled within the department. The project’s goal is to maximize resources to supplement existing investigative principles, to handle issues that are discovered and to add additional steps to deter fraud.

In another initiative, Johnson’s office is looking to use data analysis to compare elements of transactions with those of previous fraudulent ones. Similarities can be used as an alert that a fraud investigation may be needed.

The department has received funding to add staff to a new unit that will verify the validity of the 10,000 to 20,000 insurance certificates that come in through the mail each day from customers renewing their vehicle registration in addition to the reviews already being done in Secretary of State offices. Johnson’s team is also planning to upgrade its case management software so department investigators are best equipped for tracking down fraud.

Plans also call for a roundtable discussion about fraud with a group of leaders from her Business Roundtable that Johnson convened earlier in her term. The discussion would include lessons learned and best practices to keep the department at the forefront of protecting consumers from fraudulent activity.

“We highly value the insights of Michigan’s business leaders, who have solutions from the private sector that can help us in state government,” Johnson said. “We are united in purpose to stop the scam artists who cost the rest of us money.”

Some of the new initiatives are the result of recent recommendations by the Fighting Auto Insurance Rip-Offs (FAIR) Task Force. Others reflect Johnson’s intent to crack down on any type of fraud that targets the department and its customers.

For media questions, please call
Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.

To find Secretary of State office locations and services, visit www.michigan.gov/sos. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/michigansos. Online services are available at www.expresssos.com.

Customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

Secretary of State offices will close for the Nov. 11 holiday

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds residents that, in honor of Veterans Day, all Secretary of State offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11. She also encouraged people to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice.

“I had a rare opportunity to visit our troops in the Middle East in 2012 to study how to make overseas voting easier for those in the military,” Johnson said. “I will never forget the sense of honor, duty and patriotism that those young men and women displayed in spite of the terrible conditions. We owe everyone who has ever served this country a great debt for their service and sacrifice.”

Michigan is home to more than 680,000 veterans, the 11th largest population nationally. “Patriotism and service run deep in Michigan,” Johnson added. “This Veterans Day, take a moment to thank a vet for his or her service.”

Originally known as Armistice Day, this special Nov. 11 holiday was first celebrated in 1919 to recognize the men and women who died during World War 1. In 1938, it became an official federal holiday. The name was changed to Veterans Day in the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War to commemorate veterans of all wars.

Most people renewing license plates and driver’s licenses and ID cards can do business online at www.ExpressSOS.com. License plate tabs also can be renewed at Self-Service Stations, many of which are available around the clock. Visit the Branch Office Locator at www.michigan.gov/sos to find a Self-Service Station near you.

Dr. Joyce deJong honored for supporting tissue and eye donation

Lansing, Mich. – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson awarded Muskegon County Medical Examiner Dr. Joyce deJong with a Shining Star Award for her support of organ, tissue and eye donation.

“Every year, Dr. deJong’s office makes dozens of referrals for tissue and eye donation, contacting Gift of Life Michigan or the Michigan Eye-Bank to find out if someone was a registered donor or seeking authorization from their families so that they may help others,” Johnson said. “A quarter of all referrals to the Sparrow Medical Group originated from the County Medical Examiner’s office. Because of this, Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank regard Dr. deJong as their top champion in the medical examiner field statewide.”

(Submitted by Michigan Secretary of State)

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is urging Michigan families to block electronic adult ads, messages and pornography from reaching children by joining the Michigan Child Protection Registry. Studies show an increasing number of young people are using internet-based devices, with children as young as age two using tablets, mobile phones and computers.

Similar to the National Do Not Call Registry, the Michigan Child Protection Registry is a free and secure program that families can use to block adult-oriented ads for products like alcohol, tobacco, pornography, online gambling and illegal drugs from reaching their email inboxes, cell phones or instant messenger IDs. Once a family has entered their information, companies that send messages that advertise or link to prohibited products or services are required to remove them from their mailing lists within 30 days.•

Don’t confuse DMV-themed websites with official Michigan.gov site

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Ruth Johnson today warned Michigan residents about paying for online Secretary of State services without first checking that the website they’re using is the official Michigan.gov site.

Secretary of State staff are receiving more and more complaints from customers who believed they visited a Secretary of State website to complete a transaction and paid a fee, only to later find that the fee did not go to the state, and they did not get the services they needed.

Unfortunately, these customers used an online search engine that directed them to sites not affiliated with the state of Michigan when they were looking for driver’s license and vehicle license plate renewal options or other Secretary of State services. These sites misleadingly charge for services or information that are normally available at no cost on the official department website.

“People should examine the site they’re on closely before agreeing to pay,” Johnson said. “Double-check the Web address to make sure it’s an official state of Michigan site before you pay for services that might be free. Don’t fall for misleading sites.”