Challenges of falling ice on the Mackinac Bridge
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Whitmer Signs Bills to Support Small Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills to Support Small Businesses, Improve Insurance Processes, Other Legislation
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 247 and House Bills 4205, 4206, 4332, 4994, and 5541 into law. These bills cover a range of issue areas from improving the process for Michiganders to get prior authorization from insurers for their prescriptions and medications, helping small businesses make space for inventory or other needs, updating outdoor recreation laws, and modernizing the State Bar of Michigan admissions process.
“Today, I will be signing six bipartisan bills, adding on to the over 800 bipartisan bills I have signed since taking office,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s bills will make insurance benefit preauthorization more accessible, support winter recreation and shoe repair businesses, and amend the state bar admittance process. I am proud to sign these bills and will continue to work with anyone to get things done. Together, we can continue delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to Michiganders, growing our economy, and creating good-paying jobs.”
Insurance Code
Senate Bill 247 would amend the Insurance Code to increase transparency among insurers and decrease consumer wait times for prescription drugs and services that require prior authorization. Prior authorization describes situations where an insurer must approve coverage for requested services, prescriptions, or medications before they are received by a covered individual. The bill shortens the time for insurers to consider prior authorization requests before they are deemed granted and places obligations on insurers to provide more information to the public and health care providers regarding the prior authorization process.
“Today’s action by Gov. Whitmer to sign this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation will directly help patients across Michigan,” said state Senator VanderWall, R-Ludington. “This new law reforms the prior authorization process, which has created barriers and inefficiencies with access and quality of care in the health care system. It will promote transparency of practices used by insurers, allowing enrollees and health care providers to be fully informed while making coverage and care decisions.”
“While the intent behind the prior authorization process is to promote safe, timely, and cost-effective care, the process itself has been widely viewed as inefficient and burdensome,” VanderWall continued. “This can directly affect the treatment and care a patient receives and could pose significant risks to a patient’s health. This law will help improve the process and ultimately benefit patients.”
Senate Bill 247 was sponsored by Sen. Vanderwall, R – Ludington, and a copy can be found here.
Supporting Snowmobile Tourism
House Bills 4205 and 4206 allow for one weekend prior to the start of each snowmobile season, that individuals can operate snowmobile-on-snowmobile trails without the required registration or a trail permit.
House Bill 4205 was sponsored by Rep. Steve Johnson, R – Wayland Twp., and a copy can be found here. House Bill 4206 was sponsored by Rep. John Roth, R – Traverse City, and a copy can be found here.
ORV Licenses
House Bill 4332 specifies that a two-wheel off-road recreation vehicle (ORV) must have the license attached at either the center of the rear fender or visible on a front suspension.
House Bill 4332 was sponsored by Rep. Steve Johnson, R – Wayland Twp., and a copy can be found here.
Unclaimed Shoe Donation
House Bill 4994 allows shoe repair businesses to donate unclaimed shoes if they have been unclaimed for six months or more.
“This is a victory for Michigan’s small businesses and their communities,” said state Representative Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township. “This bill supports entrepreneurs and charities at the same time. Cobblers get to clear out space and charities receive high-quality footwear. When it comes to those in need, we must do better, and this bill helps make that vision a reality.”
House Bill 4994 was sponsored by Rep. Angela Witwer, D – Delta Township, and a copy can be found here.
State Bar
House Bill 5541 amends the Revised Judicature Act to allow individuals to utilize their Uniform Bar Examination scores when seeking admission to the State Bar of Michigan.
“With the Governor’s signature, Michigan keeps pace with 40 other jurisdictions that have already implemented the Uniform Bar Exam, score portability makes our state more attractive to law school graduates nationwide and gives our state’s law firms and businesses more tools for attracting the best legal talent,” said Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack.
House Bill 5541 was sponsored by Rep. Andrew Fink, R – Adams Twp., and a copy can be found here. |
Bridge bundling projects move forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bridge bundling projects move forward Fast facts: LANSING, Mich. - $196 million in federal COVID relief funds appropriated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature will allow the state to execute Phase II of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling program, beginning later this year. A list of the 59 candidate bridges, which were prioritized based on regional mobility and safety, is available here as part of MDOT’s bridge bundling program online dashboard. This phase focuses on closed and load-posted bridges. Some will be permanently removed while others will be fully replaced. Major repairs on local bridges are already under way as this year’s MDOT bridge bundling pilot project moves forward. Five bridge bundling projects started in March. All of the bridges encompassed by the program will be completed and reopened to traffic within 60 or 90 days from the start of repairs. The five projects currently range from 38 to 77 percent complete. “We’re making good progress toward our goal of improving 19 local bridges throughout the state this year,” said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. “These projects should keep the bridges in service for another 50 years, continuing to connect communities, travelers and businesses. This pilot program will accelerate repairs, streamline construction, spark innovations, and create economies of scale, helping to rebuild Michigan’s infrastructure more efficiently.” This year’s project, the first of its kind in Michigan, will repair 19 bridges in serious or critical condition that are owned by local agencies. Each bridge will have its superstructure replaced, which includes full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams. The pilot project is funded by Federal Highway Improvement Program (HIP) dollars. MDOT bridge staff and consultants are doing all the design and construction administration work for the bridge bundling program. An online dashboard at Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling MDOT expects bridge bundling, which covers several bridge locations under one contract, to streamline coordination and permitting, increase economies of scale, and improve bridge conditions on local routes around the state. MDOT is working to expand the approach, already in use on state trunkline projects, to address locally owned bridges. The other 14 bridges to be rebuilt this year, along with scheduled start dates and contracted length of the project, are listed here. MDOT estimates $2 billion is required just to get all state-owned bridges up to good or fair condition, and another $1.5 billion to do the same for all local agency-owned bridges. ### Protect workers. Protect drivers. Safe work zones for all.
A snapshot of the dashboard for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot program shows progress on the Bentley Street bridge over Farmer’s Creek in Lapeer. The interactive website (Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling) tracks progress on local agency bridge projects that have been grouped together for more efficient work. Nineteen locally owned bridge repair jobs are included in the pilot program, with five projects currently under way. $196 million in targeted COVID relief funds will allow 50 or more bridges to be rebuilt in Phase II of the program, beginning next year. (MDOT image)
A photo from the new dashboard (Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling) for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge bundling pilot program shows work on the abutment for the Byron Road bridge over the Black River in Ottawa County. The interactive website allows stakeholders and the general public to access progress statistics and photos on local agency bridge projects that have been grouped together for more efficient work. (MDOT photo)
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Scouts to host pancake breakfast for Ukrainian refugees
Brandon Kathman
District Executive
(947) 886-5736
Scouts to host pancake breakfast for Ukrainian refugees
The scouts of Troop 189 will host a pancake breakfast in partnership with Clarkston United Methodist Church on April 16, the proceeds of which will help those displaced by the war in Ukraine.
“After watching the news, we were inspired to find a way for Troop 189 to help,” Ryan Snudden, 17, a scout with Troop 189, said.
According to the troop’s leaders, a former scout now living abroad gave them the idea for the fundraiser. Eagle Scout Oskar Benson and his family moved from Clarkston to Kraków, Poland, in 2022. Since the invasion began in February, as many as 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees have sought safety in neighboring Poland, according to the Polish Border Guard. Twelve of them found it in the Benson family home.
“Being able to help provide these people a meal, a shower, clean clothes, and a safe place to rest when they need it the most has been an extremely rewarding and satisfying way to serve,” Julie Benson, Oskar’s mother, said. “I’m glad we are here and able to make their lives a little easier and help them regain their dignity during this tragic time.”
The funds raised during the event will be earmarked and divided between three nonprofits presently supporting Ukrainian refugees: the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine and the Polish Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“The conflict overseas has weighed heavily on our hearts and minds,” Assistant Scoutmaster Ryan Weaver said. “I believe we have an amazing opportunity here to not only do something good for those in need, but also teach the youth in our program a valuable lesson.”
The breakfast will be served in the community center of Clarkston United Methodist Church, and diners can be seated at any time between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m. Plates will include pancakes with a side of sausage. Adults eat for $10, while those 10 and under are only $5. Children under 3 eat for free, and gluten-free options are available. The troop can accept cash or checks, but not cards.
“The Scout Oath charges us to help other people at all times,” Weaver said. “It’s my hope that the scouts walk away from this experience having learned how easy it is to keep this promise, even on a large scale.”
Whitmer Attends Departure Ceremony
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2022 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Attends Departure Ceremony for Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers Slated for Middle East Deployment
LANSING, Mich. — On Saturday, April 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Commander-in-Chief of the Michigan National Guard, addressed soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard 156th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB) at Howell High School. In two separate departure ceremonies, approximately 350 soldiers gathered with their families and invited guests at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and Howell High School as they prepared to depart for their deployment to the Middle East.
“As our world yet again faces historic challenges, the Michigan National Guard is ready to support our nation as we continue to secure our safety through our presence overseas,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Michiganders who serve our state and nation in uniform are the best of us. Their service and the sacrifices that their loved ones make keep us safe. They have our unwavering support as they embark on this new deployment, and we will continue supporting our military families here at home.”
“As our soldiers prepare to deploy, the Michigan National Guard Family Programs Office plays an integral role in support of our military operations and preparing families for the challenges of deployment,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence E. Schloegl, assistant adjutant general and deputy director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Prior to deployment, soldiers and their families attended a Yellow Ribbon Program event designed to educate, assist and provide resources to help support families and minimize any hardships related to deployments.”
This will be the first deployment for the 156th ESB which was established six years ago. Known by their slogan, ‘Nothing but Net’, the soldiers are anticipated to be deployed for up to a year.
“We will be operating under Operation Spartan Shield and fall in with U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM),” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Samuel P. LaBara, commander of the 156th ESB. “We will be the backbone transmission for all network requirements and will enable uninterrupted mission command in CENTCOM, providing voice and data communications for units and operations within the region and contingency communications support.”
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