Teens Ca1np Out To Learn Meaningful About The Great Lakes Insurance Reform Sixty teens learned about the Great Lakes at 4-H Great Lakes Natural Resources Camp, "It needs more than a band-aid approach" July 21-27, at the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center. It is important that the Michigan Legislature take prompt action to reform Michigan's No-Fault "Every Michigan teenager lives within 100 Automobile Insurance Law. As an important first step, the Essential Insurance Sunset provisions must miles of the Great Lakes, but many haven't be repealed. If these provisions are allowed to expire on December 31, 1991, it will re-enact territory made the connection between themselves and restrictions, causing rural and suburban drivers insurance costs to increase and will subsidize urban these incredible bodies of water that influence drivers. Imposing territorial rating constraints, regardless of shape or fOl"1n,does not in any way deal our state so much," says Lowell F. Rothert, with the problems which are causing automobile insurance costs to rise. And, it will not produce 4- H Program Leader and Camp Director. overall cost savings for Michigan insurance consumers. Michigan Farm Bureau continues to support reforms which will reduce the cost of automobile The campers developed their awareness, ap- insurance, and we stand firmly opposed to rate subsidies and premium rollbacks. Farm Bureau preciation and understanding of the Great Lakes members believe insurance consumers will benefit most from a free and open market place, where and related natural resources, learning about insurer competition controls prices. different subjects such as Great Lakes ecology Premium rollbacks are an ineffective, temporary "band-aid" approach to the problem. and natural history, dune and beach ecosystems, Michigan Farm Bureau is interested in improving the no-fault system and controlling insurance costs. fisheries, and inland lake studies. We have actively participated in the legislative efforts to reform no-fault and have closely examined proposalsfrom all interested parties. Many of these proposals only mask the problem, while we believe According to Sharon Dann, MSU Fisheries our Michigan Farm Bureau policy gets to the source of the real cost issue. and Wildlife Youth Specialist, teenagers learn the subject matter and also how to teach others Under Michigan's Automobile no-fault law, insurance companies pay high medical and wage loss expenses, regardless of who caused the accident, in exchangefor limiting the right to sue. The objective about the Great Lakes. "They work with clubs of the system is to eliminate the delays and costs of lawsuits, make more prompt claim payment and in their home towns, teach younger people return a larger percentage of premium dollars to injured persons. The law which restricts lawsuits what they have learned, and even influence has been greatly diluted, causing insurance companies to not only pay high medical benefits, but also adults to do what's best for their environment," continue to deal with lawsuits. she said. We believe the following improvements to the no-fault law need to be adopted: MSU specialists, 4-H professionals/volunteers, I) Allow drivers to select medical coverage limits they need and can afford. Under the present no- fault law, all drivers are required to cany unlimited medical coverage on each insured vehicle. This and Michigan Sea Grant Extension staff pro- mandated coverage has proven to be vef)' costly and is not always needed. Many drivers have other vided leadership for the camp. Funding for the health care protection which supplements their auto medical protection. Other drivers simply cannot camp was provided by Michigan 4-H Youth afford this unlimited protectioll. There is evidence that these drivers are, in many cases, driving Programs, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, without an)' insurance coverage. MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 2) Reverse the DiFranco court decision to allow a judge, !lOta jury, to determine whether a case and Michigan Bell Telephone. is serious enough to require a lawsuit. 3) Adopt a modified comparative negligence law, which disallows a lawsuit when the plaintiff is 50% or more at fault. 4) Adopt cost containment measures which would control medical expenses. Today auto insurers pay more for the same medical sel1 ice than is paid by Medicare, Medicaid and health insurers. l If allowed to operate properly, Michigan's no-fault system can continue to provide Michigan consumers with extensive benefits at reasonable cost. But the legislature must enact these critically important reforms, and it must enact them soon. Jack Laurie, President Michigan Fann Bureau RURAL LIVING. FALL 1991 II. A Publication of Michigan Farm Bureau Fall 1991 Photo: Michigan Travel Bureau In This Issue Oraer from your County !Farm 'Bureau 4 ADOPTED CHERRY TREES Unique program gives readers an inside look or rup S your gifts. 11 A HOLIDAY TRADITION Christmas tree tips :;{o[ida S are Draer 6y Weanesaay, 'l{pvem6er 13 20 TAPAWINGO RESTAURANT A special dining experience in northern Michigan Choose the FARM BEST fruits, meats, breads, cheeses, nuts and vegetables for your holiday table .... Oranges and grapefruit shipped direct from Rorida growers to you, Michigan hams and sausages, creamy and rich Wisconsin Grade AA cheeses, savory southern pecans and peanuts, Of Special Interest flaky ready-to-bake croissants and more ... HARVEST OF WINES tJ.&w tliis year- Explore Michigan's many vineyards Cliristmas trees ana wreaths Rural Living is publiShed Quarterly by the Michigan Farm Bureau Inlormation and Public Relations Division. Publication and editorial offices at 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, Michigan 48917, Post Office Box 30960 (zip 48909); phone 1-517-323-7000. :Micliigan S amp [ers Subscriptions: $1.50 per year to associate members, included in annual dues. $3 per year, non-members in . /1 in 1996, and a 30 percentj1ecrease in Solid waste clogs pipes, tank & SllALL SATURATION A propeny tIX ft!;ft, assnming a 20 percent cu~ .w~~ have a substml\a1 impact on stile progrnms, if~" ifhe proposal also limits S.E.V. inCIeaSCj' l3 or the rate of inflation, whichever is greJ!le/, adjusted to pertent drainfield. "REA adjustments were made. Even a combined 10 percent 50 percent of cash value at the time of saIef!::.e measure cut and a I0 p~r.cent shift would have substantial would be funded by anticipated growtl} in state revenue AELD AFTER SEPTIPRO~ impact on both sta~and local budgets A shift does through other sources. Both the goyemor's proposal Solids digested i have several options, ilicludmg cuttino/state programs, and the democratic plan will be placed hn the ballot if GREATER SATURATION and liquified increasing the rate of existing taxes, removing tax enough signatures can be received on petitions in time AREA • now absorbed in open drainfields. exemptions (viewed by some as talloopholes). and/or for the 1992 ballot. a tax increase, not a politically, popular option. A 20 percent shift from local funding to state funding means The Senate has introduced a version f the governors's SEPTIPRO. SAVES YOU MONEY! No more costly mechanical cleaning, digging or pumping: a shift of $1.6 bilIion or approximately 22 percent of the plan that would exempt a portion of the school operat- SAFE AND EASY TO USEI Just pour Septipro into state budget would be dfverted to compensate for the ing tax with a phased-in 33 percent property tax reduc- your commode; let it world Results usually visible over- lost revenue. AnYeV'Sion will likely result in a majol! tion by 1993. There would also 15e\.an increase in the night! Non-toxic, poisonous or corrosive, harmless to shift in funding with a variety of cuts. shifts, and othel Homestead exemption and propel WOSbe assessed humans, animals or plumbing. Will make your system odor.free. SEPTIPRO IS GUARANTEED TO KEEP creative funding echanis~hich could in~lldr every other year. YOURSEPTIC SYSTEMTROUBLE-FREE OR WE WILL fees, charges, and urch-lrges~ REFUND EVERY PENNY YOU PAID FOR YOUR Senator Virgil Smith has develo a plan to e .minate SEPTIPRO•. If it does not do as claimed, return the The following is an reviated summary of tax n:f~np ~chool operating ~es on resi~ennal s~cture~, {eplac- unused portion within 30 days and get refund on product. measures which coul\either be on a ballot 0' petitions 109 those fun?s With a 35 mill stateWIde nullakV'0.p 1 lb. for initial treatment of 1000 gal. tank or 4-oz. once a month. Order nowI Fill out & send to: that would be circulated to place the propoSjlI .on fh~ sch~1 ?peratmg purposes .. Local1'rope~ ~e~ld 1992 ballot, or would be"considered by the ~glslatbre be ehmmat~ on com~erc~al d. lOdustn~ pro~rtIes, i~fQ~g property taxes. The Legislature and the replaced With a stateWIde 3.-mill operating millage. SEPTIPRO~ g3vemocapproved Public ~ct 15 of 1991 in May bti~ ~, I P.O. BOX 395 1991. The law-wauld frette property taxes [?r one \air share fun'suppo.~~ attempting to gather I Lester Prairie, MN 55354 o lib. 59.95 plus52.50P & H total 512.45 Check 0 year, starti~in 1992, as a means of at least holdmg th line on property tax assessme~~aIlOW slg~atures t flace thel p.~ on. the 1992 ballot, for deoate o~ \whlCh calls or~reduced ~Qool 0RiratIng tax. on hom~- I 0 2Ibs.$16.40 plus$3.50P & H total 519.90 C.O.D.Extra 0 04Ibs.523.30 plus$4.00P & H total 527.30 Mastercard0 the issue. \Steads and throughla..ererut mechanls~eu: I 0 8Ibs.$38.50 plus$4.50P & H total $43.00 Visa 0 I RIal{ ~ould a1s incl~~contributing to school A companion resolution, H~ • will oo..placed be- 0lXi..rn~g expensesQienceyrr lbare;:: :rhe proposal I tA~~~:S~o. I I I I I I IIII IIIIIIII fore the voters on the 1992 ballot. ::rhi~posill would alsoCallS'f~5 pe~nt~ sales tax to offset I ExpirationDate LU - LU I limit State Equalized Value (S.E.V.) increases to no lost revenu I Signature I more than 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever The above is an abbreviated summary, not a compre- Street is less. When the property is sold, the S.E.V. would be hensive analysis of a very complex issue. The propos- I City State _ Zip __ I adjusted to 50 percent of cash value. This proposal a1s all include a combination of legislative initiatives L _ -.:.a~o~r~ 1-800-327-13a.:... _ ~ must go on the ballot for a vote, since it will require a and petitions to place the issue on the 1992 ballot. It's constitutional amendment. RURAL LIVING • FALL 1991 YEARS OF STRENGTH AND STABILITY • Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of Michigan celebrated its 40th anniversary in September ... and we'd like to thank all our policyholders for 40 years of trust. • Whether you joined us in 1951 or 1991, our commitment remains the same: to guarantee a better future for you and your family. • With our quality assets, strong financial reserves, and responsible approach to investing, we are a company prepared to fulfill our long-term obligations. • Our investments are safe and secure (we have never purchased junk bonds), and our yields are consistently good. In fact, we produced a higher portfolio yield than the life insurance industry average in five of the last six years. • Farm Bureau Life has received the highest rating (A+, superior) from the A.M. Best Company every year since 1975, one of only a few of life insurance companies so honored. • If you're not a member of our growing family of policyholders, see your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent today. Your future is safe with us. MAKING YOUR FUTURE MORE PREDICTABLE .... FARM BUREAU .... @ INSURANCE FARM IUR£AU MUTUAl • FARM IUREAU 1IF£ • FARM 8UR£AU GENERAl • FB ANNUITY Michigan Farm Bureau Rural living Magazine Non-prom Org. ) P.O. Box 30960 U.S. Postage ~ 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. PAID Lansing, M I 48909 MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU