More Time to File Individual State Income Tax Returns
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Michiganders can access Free Weekly Credit Reports
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Media Contact: Kelly Rossman-McKinney FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AG Nessel Informs Michiganders of Free Weekly Access to Credit ReportsLANSING – To encourage Michiganders to consistently monitor their credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today urged Michiganders to take advantage of the recently announced extension of free weekly access from Experian, Equifax and Transunion. The FTC shared the news recently that at no cost, anyone can access their credit report weekly until April 20. In a time when there is a considerable amount of financial uncertainty for so many, Michiganders can get their free report online. “The pandemic has brought with it financial hardship for so many Michiganders and people across the country. That is why it’s even more important for everyone to stay up-to-date on the contents of their credit reports.” said Nessel. “From being aware of potential fraudulent activity to knowing which creditors to contact for assistance, having access to these crucial financial documents is imperative to one’s financial health.” As part of the consumer alert library available via the Attorney General’s webpage, Michiganders can reference the Free Annual Credit Reports: What Consumers Should Know The FTC encourages all consumers who may be struggling to pay their bills right now because of the ongoing pandemic to:
It is important to remember that your connection to consumer ### |
the latest COVID relief bill, the American Rescue Plan
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| Greetings,
Last week we passed the latest COVID relief bill, the American Rescue Plan. This bill is already helping us ramp up vaccine distribution and recover from the economic devastation brought by the pandemic. Here’s how you can take advantage of all that’s included in this bill: Getting your $1,400 stimulus check should be automatic if you received the first two stimulus payment accounts. Like previous direct payments, all individuals who make $75,000 or less will be receiving this round of direct payments. Check on your payment here. If you did not receive any of the last direct payments, but believe you should have, read this information about applying for a Recovery Rebate Credit when you file your 2020 taxes. Register to get vaccinated. Vaccines are starting to be available at more and more places, and beginning April 5, all Michiganders over the age of 16 will be eligible for the vaccine. Here are some of the places you can register: With your county health department:
At your local pharmacy: Beginning March 24, vaccinations will be available at Ford Field in Detroit. This new mass vaccination site will be able to vaccinate 6,000 people a day, and is open to all Michiganders. Anyone can register now, regardless of whether you are currently eligible for the vaccine, and you will be contacted when you are able to make your appointment. Click here to register for vaccination at Ford Field, which is run through Meijer. You can also receive your vaccination through Sparrow Hospital, which is administering the vaccine at Sparrow clinics, and even at a drive through location in Lansing. Click here to make an appointment through the Sparrow system. Accessing unemployment benefits. Folks receiving unemployment have been getting an additional $300 a week that was passed as part of an earlier COVID relief bill. The American rescue Plan extends that additional $300 a week through September 6, 2021. If you’ve already been receiving unemployment, there is likely no action required to continue receiving the additional $300 benefit, though you should keep an eye out for outreach from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. If you need to apply for unemployment, visit this page. If you are having trouble with unemployment, visit this page. How to make sure you are taking advantage of lower healthcare costs: From now until May 15, we are in a special enrollment period, in which you can shop for healthcare on the Marketplace. Lower rates will kick in on April 1. If you already have Marketplace health insurance, you can also access the lower prices. You will need to specifically re-select your plan or select a new plan on healthcare.gov after April 1 to take advantage of these new lower costs. Click here to learn more. If you have been laid off, you can access subsidies to get COBRA health insurance through September. Resources for renters. At the end of March, Michiganders who have experienced hardship and can benefit from rental assistance will be able to apply for Michigan’s COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. Check this page at the end of the month to apply. For small businesses and restaurants, there are a variety of new and continued programs to provide relief. Restaurant owners can watch this roundtable discussion about newly created resources and loans.
If you have additional questions — our office is here to help! Give us a call at 517-993-0510 or send us a message here. -Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin |
M-24 project in north Oakland County to resume on March 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021 CONTACT: Diane Cross, MDOT Office of Communications, CrossD2@Michigan.gov M-24 project in northern Oakland County to resume on Monday, March 29 COUNTY: Oakland COMMUNITIES: Orion Township Oxford Township Village of Lake Orion Village of Oxford ROADWAY: M-24 (Lapeer Road) PROJECT RESUMES: Monday, March 29, 2021 PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: June 2021 TRAFFIC DETAILS: In downtown Oxford, northbound and southbound M-24 will have one lane open between Broadway and Center streets. The center left-turn lane will also be open. In the Orion area, single-lane closures will be in place intermittently as needed to finish remaining work and punch list items. PROJECT DETAILS: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has invested $33 million to rebuild and resurface M-24 (Lapeer Road) in Oakland County. The remaining work includes tree plantings, irrigation, decorative streetscaping fixtures, bridge epoxy overlay, punch list work, permanent pavement markings, and paving of Drahner Road, Oxford Lake Drive, Glaspie Street, North Oxford Road, and Ray Road. Work is expected to be complete in early June. Stay informed about this project at www.RestoreM24.info; e-mail updates can be requested at the website. SAFETY BENEFIT: Extending the center left-turn lanes, improving the pavement surface, adjusting lane widths, and consolidating driveways will increase motorist safety by reducing the number of potential crash points in this area. |
MDHHS Expands Capacity at Outdoor Stadiums and Arenas
MDHHS Expands Capacity at Outdoor Stadiums and Arenas and Increases Testing to Protect Youth in Sports
Fully vaccinated individuals may gather at residences without masks per CDC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2021
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112
LANSING, MICH. Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated its Gatherings and Mask epidemic order, allowing up to 20% capacity in outdoor stadiums and arenas that establish infection control plans. The update also increases testing for youth ages 13-19 to ensure athletes can safely participate in sports. The changes are designed to balance day-to-day activities while controlling the spread of COVID-19 and saving Michiganders’ lives. Although progress has been made, it is crucial that Michiganders continue to mask up and socially distance as we take steps to get back to normal. The changes to the Order go into effect Monday, March 22, and remain in effect through Monday, April 19.
“The pandemic has been hard on all of us, but by staying focused on acting quickly, following the science, and listening to experts, we can save lives and help our economy recover faster,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s action is an important step towards normalcy, but there’s still more work to do. As always, mask up, maintain social distancing and wash your hands. We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of the virus so we can end this pandemic together. By April 5, all Michiganders will be eligible for the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is the most effective way to protect you and your family from the virus, and I urge all Michiganders to get vaccinated as soon as it’s available to you.”
“More than 3.2 million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccines have been administered in Michigan, and we are well on our way to vaccinating 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and up,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “While we are still very much fighting this pandemic and seeing concerning trends in new cases and hospitalizations, we are making these incremental steps that align with CDC guidance. We are again at a pivotal moment in our fight against COVID-19. Michiganders must continue doing what works to slow the spread of the disease by wearing a mask, washing their hands, avoiding crowds and making a plan to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they can.”
Gatherings at outdoor stadiums and arenas are increased to 20% of the venue’s capacity if the site:
- Establishes an infection control plan that complies with the protocols included in MDHHS’s document entitled Enhanced Outdoor Stadium and Arena Guidance.
- Posts the mitigation plan publicly.
- Sends infection control plans to the local health department and MDHHS at least seven days before scheduled events.
- Administers a testing program as specified in MDHHS’s Guidance for Athletics for all players.
“We truly appreciate the ongoing partnership with the Governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. We are thrilled to safely welcome back the best fans in baseball to Comerica Park for Opening Day and beyond,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports and Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings. “As the season progresses, we look forward to continued coordination with public health and medical experts, government officials and Major League Baseball to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all Detroit Tigers fans.”
“MDHHS continues to monitor the data to make decisions that allow us to return to normalcy. This includes case counts, percent positivity and hospitalizations,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. We are making this capacity change along with required safety protocols designed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.”
MDHHS had been closely monitoring three metrics for stabilization or declines over the past several weeks. Michigan’s metrics have been increasing for the past few weeks. The presence of more infectious variants, such as the B 1.1.7 variant, threatens our progress in control of the epidemic and MDHHS will be monitoring data closely. In recent days:
- Positivity rate: has increased for four weeks to 6.2%. This metric is up 177% from the mid-February low but remains below the December high of 19.4%.
- Statewide case rate: This metric has increase over the past four weeks to 172.9 cases per million. The rate is up 77% from the low in mid-February but remains below peak of 737.8 cases per million on Saturday, Nov 14.
- Hospital capacity dedicated to COVID-19 is now at 4.9%. This metric peaked at 19.6% on Tuesday, Dec. 4 and is now up 25% from an end of February low.
The Order also increases weekly testing for youth athletes ages 13-19 to safely participate in sports. More information on the program is available on the Michigan.gov/Coronavirus website.
“Michigan’s students deserve to safely enjoy the fullest high school experience we can offer,” said JoLynn Clark, principal of Frankenmuth High School. “That means finding ways to provide in-person instruction along with extracurricular activities, a fundamental part of a student’s life. This past fall, educators witnessed firsthand the detrimental impacts to both instruction and student well-being that comes when we cannot find ways to safely do both. The implementation of the testing program that allowed student-athletes to complete their fall seasons provided much needed closure, and we at Frankenmuth High School benefitted from this program. It allowed us to not only finish the fall season, but also provided opportunities for student-athletes in winter sports. Rapid antigen testing has served as an effective mitigation strategy that protects in-person instructional time and allows students extracurricular opportunities. We know we must remain vigilant in our efforts to mitigate the spread of this virus in schools as we look ahead to and are encouraged by the possibilities for in-person instruction, extra-curricular activities, and end-of-year celebrations.”
And, to ensure consistency with recently issued CDC guidance, fully vaccinated individuals may now participate in residential gatherings with other fully vaccinated individuals without wearing a mask.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.