Gov. Whitmer Requests Federal Funding for Use of Michigan National Guard

Gov. Whitmer Requests Federal Funding for Use of Michigan National Guard

by | Mar 20, 2020 | Regional News, Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 19, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Requests Federal Funding for Use of Michigan National Guard in Letter to the Trump Administration

National Guard may be used to help Michigan families and businesses access food, supplies

 

LANSING, Mich. — Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote a letter to President Trump requesting federal funding for the use of Michigan’s National Guard to be dedicated to COVID-19 response and support. Under the Governor’s command and control, the Michigan National Guard would be used to aid in the distribution of resources like food and supplies to families who have been impacted by the spread of COVID-19.

 

The Governor urged President Trump to authorize the use of National Guard members under Title 32, United States Code, specifically 502(f). This would allow the immediate and enduring use of the Michigan National Guard for operational support, under the Governor’s command and control, with federal funding for pay, benefits, and equipment. The Title 32 authorization would ensure more streamlined and operationally effective and responsive operations during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

“Despite the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented, Michiganders have risen to meet the challenge by helping their friends, families, and neighbors in taking proactive steps to mitigate the spread,” said Governor Whitmer in her letter. “My administration has also taken necessary actions to protect families, workers, and businesses against the spread of COVID-19. While I am confident in the unconquerable spirit of our citizens and their ability to persevere, COVID-19 is unlike anything we have encountered in our lifetime and we need the help of the federal government.”

 

On Wednesday, March 18th, Governor Whitmer called on a group of 11 Michigan Army National Guardsmen and women to assist the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services with assembling and loading critical personal protective gear, such as gloves, gowns, and face shields. Once packaged, MDHHS will deliver the supplies to various local public health departments. The governor’s request to the president would allow more resources for guardsmen and women to help Michiganders across the state.

 

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

 

The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:

  • If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

 

To view the full letter to President Trump, clock the link below:

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Senator Gary Peters Coronavirus Update

Senator Gary Peters Coronavirus Update

by | Mar 20, 2020 | Regional News, Uncategorized

U.S. Senator Gary Peters
Friend –

As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee – and your U.S. Senator – it’s my top priority to ensure all Michiganders are safe and equipped with the resources needed to combat the Coronavirus.

The bottom line is this: Michiganders should not be forced to worry about whether they can put food on the table or pay their bills. Some of the stories I’ve heard – from workers, small business owners, and families are absolutely heartbreaking.

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Click here to watch my video update.

The Senate this week passed bipartisan legislation that is an important first step towards supporting Michigan families. Some of the action this bill takes includes:

  • Support for Families & Workers: We must ensure that those forced to not work are taken care of. This bill expands paid emergency, sick and family leave, as well as unemployment insurance, while expanding Medicaid benefits to state programs like Michigan’s.
  • Free Testing for Coronavirus: No one should avoid being tested because of the costs. This bill ensures that everyone – with or without insurance – has access to the test at no cost.
  • Food Security: This bill takes important efforts to strengthen SNAP, student meals, seniors’ nutrition and more. 22 million children rely on free or reduced-price school meals, and we need to ensure they have food at the table.

But let’s be clear: this bill was only a first step. Our work — and this crisis — is far from over. We must take additional action. I will keep focusing on efforts that will provide resources to Michiganders and boost our economy, including small businesses.

If you have any questions or need additional resources on Coronavirus, visit my website at peters.senate.gov/coronavirus for guidance on how you can prepare and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. You can also call the State of Michigan’s Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-535-6136.

If you have any additional questions – please contact my office. We remain committed to serving you and doing everything possible to assist Michiganders.

Americans have always united in times of uncertainty to overcome countless hardships over the years. Today we are facing significant challenges — and we must all do our part to deal with this crisis. In the end, I am confident we will emerge stronger as a nation.

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan

To receive future updates, click here.

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Gov. Whitmer Requests Federal Funding for Use of Michigan National Guard

Important Tax Filing Deadline Update

by | Mar 20, 2020 | Local News

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Greetings,

As we continue to address the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan and across the country, I want to keep you updated about the resources available to you and the actions being taken at the federal level that may benefit you during this difficult time.

Yesterday, the IRS announced that for most Americans, the deadline to pay federal income taxes will be delayed until July 15. You can read the announcement here. Remember: You still must file your return (or file for an extension) by April 15, as usual. But if you are an individual that owes less than $1 million, or a corporation that owes less than $10 million, you can delay tax payment until July 15.

If disruptions from COVID-19 prevent you from filing by April 15, you may apply for an automatic six-month extension for any reason, just like every year. You can learn more about applying for a filing extension here.

The IRS has also created a page dedicated to outlining their efforts to help taxpayers, businesses, and others affected by the coronavirus. You can visit this page, which will be updated as new information becomes available, here.

My staff and I will continue to work with officials at every level of government to ensure that everyone in Michigan is protected and well informed. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (517) 993-0510 for more information.

If you want to learn more about my work in the U.S. House of Representatives, please visit my website, where you can sign up for my e-newsletter. You can find regular updates on my social media pages by “following” me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, which you can do by clicking on the icons below.

Sincerely,
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Elissa Slotkin
Member of Congress

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State Provides Guidance to Employers Contemplating Potential Layoffs

by | Mar 19, 2020 | News, Regional News

State Provides Guidance to Employers Contemplating Potential Layoffs

Contact: Jason Moon 517-282-0041

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity today provided guidance to Michigan employers on how to avoid potential layoffs related to COVID-19.

“We know that many families and businesses are and will experience economic pain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said LEO Director Jeff Donofrio. “Through Governor Whitmer’s executive action and existing state programs, there are resources for employers affected by COVID-19. We are also strongly urging job providers facing work shortages to place their employees on temporary leave as opposed to termination, so that they may remain eligible for potential federal assistance.”

Work Share If employers are financially distressed but hope to continue operations by cutting back hours, they are encouraged to use the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s Work Share program that allows employers to maintain employment levels and business operations during declines in regular business activity rather than laying off workers.  More information about the program can be found at www.michigan.gov/workshare.

Temporary Leave vs. Termination Due to the uncertainty regarding potential congressional action regarding whether and how furloughed workers will be able to access federal paid sick, family and medical leave resources, employers are strongly urged to place employees on  temporary leave and advise the worker that they expect to have work available within 120-days as opposed to termination. There is no additional cost to employers, employees remain eligible for UI benefits through the state, and employees may remain eligible for potential federal assistance.

Steps for employers placing employers on temporary unpaid leave:

  • Do not terminate the employee– specify a temporary / indefinite leave with return to work expected that is within 120 days.
  • Do not create a contractual obligation to bring the employee back to work – Let the employee know that the situation is fluid and subject to change.
  • Provide the employee with a formal Unemployment Compensation Notice. Employers will need to provide their Employer Account Number and Federal Identification Number.
  • Communicate to the employee about their rights. Under Governor Whitmer’s recent Executive Order, workers are placed on leave, or are unable to work because they are sick, quarantined, immunocompromised, or have an unanticipated family care responsibility, are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
  • Ensure employers are provided information on how to obtain unemployment insurance benefits. A factsheet can be found here.
  • Get each employee’s up-to-date contact information.
  • Let employees know if you will be putting updated information on the entity’s website or intranet, if applicable.
  • Appoint a single, or limited number of individuals who will field questions, and communicate that information to employees.
  • Keep a tally of all questions and answers.  Periodically share with employees.

The state is monitoring issues related to continued medical insurance coverage and will update accordingly.

Elimination of Certain Unemployment Costs to Employers

Under the governor’s order, an employer or employing unit must not be charged for unemployment benefits if their employees become unemployed because of an executive order requiring them to close or limit operations.

Other Resources

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s call center stands ready to support businesses looking for assistance through other available state programs. For more information, visit the MEDC’s website: www.michiganbusiness.org or call 888.522.0103. The Michigan Small Business Development Center can also provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Visit their website https://sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/ for additional information.

Governor Whitmer is also seeking additional solutions for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation that makes $1 billion available to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor has informed SBA that she is seeking an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state and has initiated the process to receive the declaration from SBA. Once granted, small businesses in qualifying areas will be able to access low-interest loans through the SBA. In the interim, we are encouraging small businesses that could benefit from SBA loans to start collecting the information they’ll need to complete and submit their application. Examples of information needed can be found here. For additional information or to obtain help preparing the loan application in advance of the declaration, please contact the Michigan SBA offices in Detroit or Grand Rapids.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.