Auto Insurance Refunds Due to COVID-19

by | Jun 2, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Whitmer, Department of Insurance and Financial Services Announce Order Requiring Auto Insurance Refunds Due to COVID-19

Contact: Laura Hall 517-290-3779

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) today announced that DIFS Director Anita Fox has ordered all auto insurers in Michigan to issue refunds or premium waivers to consumers as a result of insurance companies’ reduced risk due to extreme reductions in driving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Michiganders have been staying safe and staying home and they should see the benefit in reduced auto insurance rates during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Every family is feeling added financial pressure due to this virus, and this order will provide some much-needed relief to drivers.”

DIFS Order No. 2020-10-M sets a deadline of June 10, 2020, for insurers to submit filings that include the refund or premium waiver amount, information on how that amount was determined, and how consumers will receive payments. It also requires communication plans to inform customers about the refund and the options available to those with long term changes in driving habits, for example those who have been laid off or are telecommuting.

“This order will ensure all insurers are issuing appropriate refunds or premium waivers to their customers,” said Fox. “Consumers may realize additional savings by modifying their policies to reflect their current driving habits. Drivers should contact their agent to discuss garaging a car or making other changes to save on their premiums.”

DIFS can assist consumers with questions or disputes that cannot be directly resolved with their insurer. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 833-ASK-DIFS (275-3437) or by emailing [email protected].

The premium waivers or refunds are in addition to any savings resulting from the upcoming changes to Michigan’s auto insurance law, which has shown reductions to statewide average premiums for Personal Injury Protection medical coverage for policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020. Visit Michigan.gov/autoinsurance for more details on changes to the law, a schedule of weekly town halls, and instructional videos on how to fill out new forms.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

$300k+ In Grants Available For Oakland County-Based Manufacturers

$300k+ In Grants Available For Oakland County-Based Manufacturers

by | Jun 2, 2020 | Uncategorized

$300k+ In Grants Available For Oakland County-Based Manufacturers That Provide Goods Or Services To Help Small Businesses Re-Open From COVID-19 Crisis

​Pontiac, Michigan – “Saving Business, Saving Lives” grant applications are now available to Oakland County-based manufacturers who can provide materials or services needed by small businesses to safely re-open from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant applications are accepted beginning today for manufacturers or companies who can help play a role in the re-boot for thousands of Oakland County small businesses either through the manufacture of essential items such as sanitizers, protective equipment and barriers or touchless technologies, County Executive David Coulter said. The fund has more than $300,000 to distribute.

“As many of our small businesses prepare to re-engage with customers, they will find a vastly different environment than the one they knew several months ago,” Coulter said. “Customers and employees alike are concerned with their health and safety and want businesses to take the necessary steps to keep them protected as they regain their confidence. These grants will provide vital goods and services to our small businesses to help reassure customers their health and safety is a priority.”

Coulter, with support from the Board of Commissioners, has aggressively supported small businesses through the allocation of nearly $14 million to 3,500 small businesses seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants averaged nearly $4,000 from the small business stabilization fund. The “Saving Businesses, Saving Lives” grant is included in the nearly $14 million fund.

The county last week began distributing 10,000 “Oakland Together” COVID-19 safety toolkits which include facemasks, no-touch thermometers, gloves and sanitizer to give small businesses essential materials for reopening and customers confidence they will have a safe experience. The toolkits were available to small businesses, faith-based and nonprofit organizations.

With Oakland County and Michigan moving into Phase 4, this round of grants expands the search to companies that can play a role in helping Oakland County businesses reopen by providing unique processes, products and services that will help Oakland County’s small businesses reopen.

The “Saving Business, Saving Lives” grants extend the health and safety theme. Previous funding rounds were successful in helping companies produce personal protective equipment such as face shields and masks for first responders and health care workers. Nearly $520,000 was awarded to 13 companies.

The new grants also coordinate seamlessly with Phase 4 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start for reopening the state’s economy as coronavirus cases continue to decline in Oakland County and the state.

“With Oakland County and Michigan moving into Phase 4, this round of grants expands the search to companies that can play a role in helping Oakland County businesses reopen by providing unique processes, products and services that will help Oakland County’s small businesses reopen,” Coulter said. “We are incentivizing businesses to help other businesses successfully reopen during this pandemic.”

Eligible products, processes or services include:

  • Barriers and partitions
  • Sanitizing services
  • Disinfectant and hand sanitizer
  • Fogging disinfectant systems for large areas
  • Signage
  • Portable stations (sanitizing and hand washing)
  • Gloves
  • Diagnostic tests or test kits for SARS-CoV-2
  • Temperature testing equipment
  • “Touchless” technologies
  • Social distancing products

Companies must be based in Oakland County. Preference will be given to companies that manufacture or produce in Oakland County and Michigan. Companies should have the capability to produce a significant volume of the product or service within 30-90 days.

Eligible use of funds includes:

  • Procuring necessary equipment to manufacture supplies
  • Logistics, shipping, technology upgrades
  • Other costs related to operationalizing new product lines.

Interested companies can apply for a grant at https://forms.oakgov.com/146. The deadline is June 15 at 12 a.m. For questions: [email protected].

Each grant application will be reviewed by a panel. The panel members are:

  • Manager Alain Piette, MI-SBTDC Technology Team
  • Dr. Carmine Jabri, co-founder of E.M.M.A. International Consulting Group, Inc.
  • Jaideep Rajput, director of commercialization for Beaumont Health Services
  • Michael W. Long, Ph.D., executive director of Oakland University Mobilization Zone
  • Julie Killian, CPA, Clayton & McKervey
  • Dan Radomski, director, Lawrence Technological University Centrepolis Accelerator

County Commissioners Janet Jackson, D-Southfield; William Miller, D-Farmington, and Michael Spisz, R-Oxford, are participating in an advisory role.

Whitmer Calls for Unity

Whitmer Calls for Unity

by | Jun 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Calls for Unity Following President Trump’s Call for Governors to ‘Dominate’ Protesters

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after President Trump called for governors to “dominate” protestors:

 

“Right now our nation is hurting. Americans are in pain, and desperate for leadership from the White House during one of the darkest periods in our lifetimes. This morning I took a few moments to read a powerful essay written by our former president, Barack Obama, about how we can make this moment a turning point for real change in our country. I felt hopeful and inspired in a way that I haven’t felt in a long time. Then I joined a call with my fellow governors and the current president that was deeply disturbing. Instead of offering support or leadership to bring down the temperature at protests, President Trump told governors to ‘put it down’ or we would be ‘overridden.’ He said governors should ‘dominate’ protesters, ‘or you’ll look like a bunch of jerks.’ The president repeatedly and viciously attacked governors, who are doing everything they can to keep the peace while fighting a once-in-a-generation global pandemic.

 

“The president’s dangerous comments should be gravely concerning to all Americans, because they send a clear signal that this administration is determined to sow the seeds of hatred and division, which I fear will only lead to more violence and destruction. We must reject this way of thinking. This is a moment that calls for empathy, humanity, and unity. This is one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history, but as Americans, we must remember our enemy is racial injustice, not one another. Let us heed the powerful words of President Obama today to ‘channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action.’ It’s time for all of us to pull together and do the hard work of building a nation that works for everyone.”

 

Whitmer Rescinds Safer at Home Order

by | Jun 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Rescinds Safer at Home Order, Moves Michigan to Phase Four of the MI Safe Start Plan

Retailers, restaurants will be permitted to open with capacity limits, social distancing

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-110, rescinding her Safer at Home order and moving the entire state to phase four of the MI Safe Start Plan.

 

The governor’s order will allow retailers to reopen on June 4 and restaurants to reopen on June 8, both subject to capacity limits. Day camps for children will likewise be permitted to open on June 8. Effective immediately, groups of 100 or less will be allowed gather outdoors with social distancing. Office work that is not capable of being performed remotely can resume. And in-home services, including housecleaning services, can resume operations.

 

“The data has shown that we are ready to carefully move our state into the next phase of the MI Safe Start Plan, but we owe it to our brave frontline heroes to get this right,” said Governor Whitmer. “While Michiganders are no longer required to stay home, we must all continue to be smart and practice social distancing, and encourage those who meet the criteria to get tested for COVID-19. If we all do our part, our goal is to announce a shift to phase five for the entire state prior to the fourth of July. Stay smart, stay safe, and let’s all do our part.”

 

Michiganders must continue to wear facial coverings when in enclosed public spaces and should continue to take all reasonable precautions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the community. And they should continue to work from home to the maximum extent possible.

 

“The governor and I, along with a team of experts, have determined that our state is ready to move into the next phase of the MI Safe Start Plan. Hospitalization numbers are down, our frontline workers have PPE to last them several weeks, and the number of positive cases and deaths are declining,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “We will continue to monitor the data and work closely with local health departments to ensure Michiganders practice safe social distancing. On behalf of our health care professionals and first responders on the front lines, we must all be smart and be safe.”

 

“As the hardest-hit region in the state, Wayne County and its residents are ready to safely return to greater activity and commerce,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “We continue to vigilantly monitor the spread of COVID-19 and will do so to make sure the number of daily cases continues to decline. It’s is been an extremely difficulty three months for all of us, but the social distancing measures we have put in place has slowed the spread of this disease and saved lives. Today is an important step toward returning to some semblance of normalcy, but it is important for all of to continue following that safe distancing and work directives outlined in Stage 4 of the MI Safe Start plan.”

 

“I appreciate Governor Whitmer for her diligence and commitment to reopening the state safely. We look forward to reopening Detroit safely and efficiently,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.

 

“We know we still have challenges to face, but moving into this next phase acknowledges the huge strides this state has made to slow the spread of this deadly virus,” said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “I appreciate Gov. Whitmer’s caution and proactive response throughout this crisis. Her leadership has undoubtedly saved lives.”

 

“The last few months have been very hard for everyone. I applaud the Governor for doing everything she can to keep us safe,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “And now that the curve has flattened and I am very excited that we have moved into phase 4 and can have things start to reopen. Economic issues have been very challenging in Lansing and across the state, but we know it was necessary to save lives. Now we are ready to get back to growing our city here in Lansing and the economy throughout the state!”

 

Subject to local regulation, gyms and fitness centers may conduct outdoor classes, practices, training sessions, or games, provided that coaches, spectators, and participants maintain six feet of distance from one another during these activities. Outdoor pools can also reopen, with restricted capacity.

 

To view Executive Order 2020-110, Click the link below:

Rumble strip installation on I-75 starts tomorrow

by | Jun 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020

 

CONTACT: Rob Morosi, MDOT Office of Communications, [email protected]

 

Rumble strip installation on I-75 starts tomorrow

in northern Oakland County

 

Fast facts:

– The 2019 project in northern Oakland County involved repairing 21 bridges on I-75 between South Boulevard and Baldwin Road.

– Rumble strip installation starts tomorrow with crews closing the right lane on northbound and southbound I-75 between South Boulevard and Baldwin Road.

– The single-lane closures are limited to off-peak hours.

 

June 1, 2020 – Weather permitting, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract crews will resume punch list work on a section of I-75 in northern Oakland County starting Tuesday, June 2. This work will focus on the installation of rumble strips on the shoulders of northbound and southbound I-75 between South Boulevard and Baldwin Road.

 

Northbound I-75 will have a daily right-lane closure from South Boulevard to Baldwin Road beginning at 7 a.m. and ending by 3 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. Southbound I-75 will have daily single-lane closures starting at 9 a.m. and ending by 5 p.m. both days.

 

This project originally started in 2019 with repairs to 21 bridges between South Boulevard and Baldwin Road in Auburn Hills. Included in the work was the resurfacing of both directions of I-75 between South Boulevard and Giddings Road, and repairing the ramps at the Chrysler Drive and M-24 (Lapeer Road) interchanges.

 

ESSENTIAL WORK: This road construction project is an essential function. Transportation workers in the field follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit their risk of getting sick.