Whereas, “Go Direct” is a national campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Treasury and Federal Reserve Bank, to enroll federal benefit check recipients in direct deposit; and,

Whereas, Direct deposit is safer, easier, and more convenient than a paper check, and it is also a prudent use of taxpayer dollars, as each direct deposit payment costs about 75 cents less than a paper check; and,  

Whereas, As of January 1, 2006, there were 275,022 Social Security check recipients in Michigan and 105,190 SSI check recipients still being issued paper checks; and,

Whereas, A variety of financial institutions in Michigan will participate in “Go Direct Days” during the first week of February, when most federal benefit checks are cashed, and bank tellers are encouraging Social Security and SSI check recipients to sign up for direct deposit; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Grahnolm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim February 2006, as Go Direct Month in Michigan.