Governor Announces Next Steps for School Reopening

Governor Announces Next Steps for School Reopening

by | Jun 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Announces Next Steps for School Reopening in the Fall

The governor will release a “Return to School Roadmap” with guidance for educators on June 30th 

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan schools may resume in-person learning in phase 4 of the MI Safe Start plan, with strict safety measures in place. The governor also announced that on June 30th, she will release an executive order and a robust document called “Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap” that will provide details on what will be required and what will be recommended for schools. The governor also highlighted the need for support and flexibility from the federal government to help ensure resources for students and educators.

 

“Our students and educators have made incredible sacrifices these past few months to protect themselves and their families from the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to our aggressive action against this virus, those who have done their part to flatten the curve, and the heroes on the front lines, I am optimistic that we will return to in-person learning in the fall. Schools must make sure to enact strict safety measures to continue protecting educators, students, and their families. I will continue working closely with the Return to Learn Advisory Council and leaders in health care to ensure we get this right, but we also need more flexibility and support from the federal government. This crisis has had serious implications on our budget, and we need federal support if we’re going to get this right for our kids.”

 

“The most important thing we can do when developing a return to school plan is closely examine the data and remain vigilant in our steps to fight this virus,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “I will continue to work closely with Governor Whitmer and the Return to Learn Advisory Council to ensure we continue to put the health and safety of our students and educators first. This is a big step, and we will remain flexible to protect everyone who steps foot in a Michigan school.”

 

The Return to School plan will align closely with the MI Safe Start Plan. The governor will consider the six phases of the MI Safe Start Plan and the Michigan Economic Recover Council’s 8 regions of the state to determine when, where, and how face-to-face instruction can resume. Districts, students, staff, and families must be nimble and be prepared to move backwards if there is evidence of community spread of the virus.

 

The Roadmap will set the minimum health and safety requirements, although districts may choose to enact more aggressive ones in consultation with local public health officials. These minimum requirements will apply to all schools, including traditional public, charter, private, and parochial schools.

 

“Our number one goal on this advisory council is the health and safety of our students and educators,” said Tonya Allen, President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation and Chair of the Return to Learn Advisory Council. “We will remain vigilant and flexible and closely examine the data as we continue to make recommendations to the governor. This is a crisis unlike any we’ve seen before, and we are committed working closely together to ensure we get this right.”

 

On May 15, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order No. 2020-88 creating the COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council. The Advisory Council was created to identify the critical issues that must be addressed, provide valuable input to inform the process of returning to school, and to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to school. The Council will act in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the COVID-19 Task Force on Education, and will develop and submit recommendations to the COVID-19 Task Force on Education regarding the safe, equitable, and efficient K-12 return to school in the Fall.

 

On June 3, the governor announced a group of 25 leaders in health care and education to serve on the COVID-19 return to learn advisory council. The council is chaired by Tonya Allen, and includes community members, educators, parents, and students who will work closely with the governor as she continues to put the health and safety of our students and educators first.
Governor Extends Order Permitting Early Refills

Governor Extends Order Permitting Early Refills

by | Jun 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Extends Executive Order Permitting Early Refills for up to 90-days’ Supply of Pharmaceuticals, Relaxing Regulatory Limitations on Pharmacy Operation 

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-124 extending her previous order which gives pharmacists increased operational capacity and expands access to prescriptions for Michiganders who need them.

 

“Michiganders have stepped up and done their part to bend the curve and slow the spread of this virus, but there’s more work to do to protect the heroes on the front lines and lower the chance of a second wave,”  said Governor Whitmer. “By allowing patients to get a refill of their prescriptions for up to 60 days from a pharmacist, people can help further protect their neighbors from COVID-19.”

 

Executive Order 2020-124 continues to allow pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of prescriptions for up to 60 days’ worth of supply for patients and require insurers to cover early refills for up to 90 days’ worth of supply during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The order will also allow pharmacists to dispense COVID-19 treatments according to government-approved protocols.

 

To view Executive Order 2020-124 is effective immediately and continues until July 14, 2020. To view the order, click the link below:
Whitmer Signs Proclamation Marking Juneteenth Celebration Day 

Whitmer Signs Proclamation Marking Juneteenth Celebration Day 

by | Jun 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 17, 2020

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Signs Proclamation Marking Juneteenth Celebration Day

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring June 19th as Juneteenth Celebration Day in Michigan. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when slavery was abolished in the United States.

 

“Juneteenth is a crucial day in our nation’s history to remember how far we have come and recognize how far we still have to go,”  said Governor Whitmer. “During a time when communities of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and when the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have shone a light on the systemic racism Black Americans face every day, we must work together to build a more equitable and just Michigan. I’m proud to declare June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and will continue to work tirelessly to create a state that is equal for all.”

 

“We have seen Michiganders across the state continue to fight for their freedom and the freedom of others,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This day, which marks when the final group of Black Americans understood that they were free, is an important reminder of the work that must continue to be done to deliver equity and opportunity to every community. I am committed to working every day to build a state that is representative and responsive to the people we serve.”

 

Juneteenth originated on June 19, 1865, when Union Army General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, where he read General Order #3, stating that all slaves were free, and that former masters and slaves were absolutely equal in personal and property rights. Acting as the date of emancipation, June 19th also became a long-standing day of celebration, meant to honor African-American resilience and the end of slavery.

 

Since day one, both Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II have been committed to making Michigan a more equitable state. The governor appointed the most diverse cabinet in Michigan’s history to ensure that government is more representative of all Michiganders. During her State of the State Address this year, Governor Whitmer called for implicit bias training for all healthcare and medical professionals to combat racism felt across the healthcare industry. The governor also called on the legislature to expand health care for low-income mothers to improve health outcomes for every mom and baby.

 

After Governor Whitmer negotiated the budget last year, the state has implemented a weighed foundation formula, which ensures school funding is based on equity and science. And recently, the governor’s administration negotiated a landmark literacy case where a Michigan court ruled that every child, no matter their community, has a birthright to a path to literacy.

 

Over the last several weeks, the governor added four seats to The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), including the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, to bring more community voices to the table as the commission considers police reforms for our state. The governor also requested that MCOLES provide guidance to law enforcement agencies on continuing education that will help officers keep up with the everchanging landscape of new laws and issues facing the community, including diversity and implicit bias training.

 

Additionally, the governor has encouraged police departments to participate in efforts that are underway on comprehensive reporting on the use of force by police departments and urged law enforcement agencies to implement duty to intervene polices.

 

To view the full proclamation click the link below:

 
Oakland County supports employment rights

Oakland County supports employment rights

by | Jun 16, 2020 | Uncategorized

Coulter: Oakland County supports employment rights for all residents

​Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Executive David Coulter issued the following statement about the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling today that affirmed 1964 Civil Rights Act Title VII employment protection rights for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community in a 6-3 decision. Coulter is the county’s first openly gay executive:

“Today’s historic Supreme Court opinion is a major victory for equality and fairness in our country. No one should be fired simply for whom they love, and today America took an important step forward toward a more just and perfect union. Oakland County is proud to support this right for all our residents.”

For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media & communications officer, at 248-858-1048.

AG Announces First Seven Proposals for Police Reform

AG Announces First Seven Proposals for Police Reform

by | Jun 16, 2020 | Uncategorized

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Courtney Covington
(o) 517-335-7666 (c) 517-290-1560


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Nessel Announces First Seven Proposals for Police Reform in Michigan

LANSING – To effectuate substantive, structural change to the police oversight system in Michigan, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today announced seven proposals as part of a series of actions for police reform. The proposals seek to increase transparency surrounding law enforcement agencies and ensure accountability from and for law enforcement officers.

In 2016, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) began requiring that law enforcement officers in the State of Michigan be licensed. But, in many respects, MCOLES lacks sufficient authority to oversee law enforcement professionals and to revoke the licenses of police officers who demonstrate poor moral character or violate the public trust.

The proposals aim to create oversight for law enforcement agencies and their officers similar to many of the professions and professional licenses required across the state, along with a comprehensive approach to evaluating misconduct complaints and imposing disciplinary actions by a single agency, MCOLES.

The proposals include:

  • Authorizing MCOLES to suspend or revoke a license when an officer: (a) engages in conduct that adversely affects the ability and fitness of the police officer to perform his or her job duties; or (b) engages in conduct that is detrimental to the reputation, integrity or discipline of the police department where the police officer is employed.
  • Mandating that law enforcement agencies maintain all disciplinary records of a police officer in his or her personnel file.
  • Requiring MCOLES to create a statewide misconduct registry of verified claims that is accessible by the public.
  • Amending the Public Employee Benefits Forfeiture Act (MCL 38.2701, et al.) so that officers forfeit their retirement benefits upon conviction of a felony related to misconduct while on duty.
  • Mandating law enforcement agencies report use of force data, disaggregated by race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion and age.
  • Creating an independent investigative and prosecutorial process for deaths that involve the actions of law enforcement officers.
  • Requiring continuing education for law enforcement officers as a license requirement; improving and standardizing police policies and trainings (including de-escalation, cultural competence and implicit bias trainings).

“We must do more than just condemn bigotry and acts of excessive force committed by law enforcement officers. We must act,” said Nessel. “Today, I have announced seven proposals for police reform, but this is merely a start. Making meaningful and concrete changes doesn’t end here, but it’s crucial that we move first with measures which create better accountability and more transparency to the actions of law enforcement here in Michigan. This work is a marathon, not a sprint and I am committed to moving with all deliberate speed in making progress on this front.”

In the coming weeks, the Attorney General will meet with members of the Legislature, community groups, advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders to discuss these proposals in addition to other potential areas of reform.

“This is just the first step toward implementing positive change in our criminal justice system,” Nessel said. “I look forward to working with these stakeholders to identify and implement additional ways to ensure all people – regardless of their race, color or zip code – are treated with equal respect and dignity under the law.”