More than 200 events held throughout week to help Michigan consumers understand and manage their personal finances

LANSING”Senator Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit) joined Michigan economists, AT&T, Junior Achievement and Detroit area students at several events today to help kick off Money Smart Week. Senator Hunter attended a panel discussion with state financial experts and an award ceremony for the Money Smart Ambassador/Money Smart Kid Awards at the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago this morning. He also joined representatives from AT&T at Westwood New Tech High School to present a $5,000 donation check to Junior Achievement for their JA Finance Park Program with the school.

“Now more than ever, it's important for Wayne County residents to stretch every dollar and be smart with their finances, and Money Smart Week offers programs to help with that,” said Senator Hunter, who is the Minority Vice Chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. “I have strived to help Detroit area residents avoid foreclosure, and Money Smart Week's programs will teach people beneficial skills to improve their financial literacy and budgeting ability to keep up on their mortgage payments.”

Senator Hunter cosponsored Senate Resolution 139, which recognizes April 21-28, 2012, as Money Smart Week in the State of Michigan. The resolution was adopted by the State Senate yesterday.

Money Smart Week was started by the Federal Reserve of Chicago in 2002 and has spread to over 30 states over the last decade, launching in Detroit in 2004. Money Smart Week is a series of free classes and activities designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. It includes over 200 events and presentations in Michigan by community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations and financial experts. Money Smart Week partners will be hosting events April 20-28, 2012 and a full schedule of Money Smart Week events in Michigan can be found at https://chicagofed.org/applications/msw_calendar/public.htm?campaign=9.

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Sen. Hunter represents the 5th District, which is comprised of Northwest Detroit, Dearborn Heights and Inkster. He serves as the Minority Floor Leader. He is the Minority Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking & Financial Institutions and the Senate Committee on Economic Development. He is a member of the Senate Government Operations Committee.