LANSING, MI (WTVB) Branch County’s representative in the Michigan Senate, Republican Bruce Caswell of Hillsdale, was busy in 2012 and his hard work paid off yesterday when three bills that he authored were signed into law by Governor Snyder. One of the measures clarifies that the Family Independence Program is a temporary program and not an entitlement.

In keeping with federal law, it prevents further cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program to families who already received 60 months or more of assistance. Another bill creates the Michigan Energy Assistance Program to provide energy assistance for low-income households. This creates a system to prevent energy crises, complementing the existing State Emergency Relief program, which only provides energy assistance for families who already have received a shut-off or past-due notice.