by orionontv | Sep 20, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Former State Representative Sharon Gire
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, September 21 to honor and remember former state Representative Sharon Gire. The flag lowering will coincide with a memorial resolution from the Michigan House of Representatives in her honor.
“Representative Sharon Gire’s commitment to service left a lasting impact on her community, constituents, and those who called her a friend,” said Governor Whitmer. “Sharon was a passionate advocate for children’s rights and for survivors of domestic abuse. Michigan is a better place because of her service, and my thoughts are with her family, friends, and constituents as we honor her legacy.”
Gire’s career in public service began with leadership roles in the YWCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters and other community organizations. She went on to serve on the Mount Clemens City Commission, on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, in the Michigan House of Representatives, and on the Michigan State Board of Education. Gire was also the director of Michigan’s Office of Services to the Aging under Governor Jennifer Granholm.
“The communities of Mount Clemens, Fraser and Clinton Township, as well as the entire State of Michigan, were all positively impacted through the dedicated leadership of Sharon Gire,” said Rep. William Sowerby, D-Clinton Township. “During and after her years in elected and appointed government offices, Sharon’s friendship and mentorship made a lasting impression on so very many other leaders, including myself.”
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of Representative Sharon Gire by lowering flags to half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full staff on Thursday, September 22, 2022.
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by orionontv | Sep 20, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces 100 Winners of MET $1.5 Million Giveaway
100 Michigan children to benefit from $15,000 each in prepaid tuition
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced 100 winners of the Michigan Education Trust’s (MET) 35-year anniversary $1.5 Million Giveaway – a random, statewide drawing that friends and family could enter on behalf of a child for a chance to win one of 100 $15,000 prepaid tuition prizes.
“This giveaway celebrates MET’s 35 years of providing life-changing opportunities for Michiganders to save for children’s higher education and pave their way for a better future,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a MET alumna myself, this program is near and dear to my heart. My parents used MET to save for my future education and I’m guessing there are a lot of future leaders in all walks of life out there right now whose families are saving with MET.”
The governor was joined by Bureau Director Robin Lott of the Michigan Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning, within the Department of Treasury, MET Alumna Lisa Ingall, MET alumnus Nick Armes, and 10 of the 100 winners from all corners of the state.
A prudent investment strategy over the last decade resulted in a record surplus for MET, which can now be used to invest in Michiganders. Earlier this year, the MET Board of Directors unanimously agreed to use a portion of the surplus to elevate awareness of MET and provide more Michigan children with access to higher education that will help them prepare to compete in a modern workforce and solve future challenges.
Under MET’s giveaway, Michigan residents 18 years or older on August 31, 2022, were eligible to enter on behalf of children ages birth to 5 by the same date for a chance to win $15,000 in prepaid tuition. The prepaid tuition prize may be used to pay for future tuition and mandatory fees at a community college, college, university or trade school in accordance with MET terms and conditions.
“For 35 years, MET has been providing families peace of mind as they work to help provide their children with a debt-free start to pursue their dreams,” said Bureau Director Robin Lott of the Michigan Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning. “We are excited to shine a $1.5 million spotlight on MET and show parents, grandparents and others how it’s a safe, secure and flexible way to make sure their loved ones meet their future education and career goals. Our message is to remind Michiganders that while you can’t predict the future, you sure can prepare for it.”
Ingall, a 1998 University of Michigan graduate who now works for KLA, a global technology company that serves the semiconductor industry with a corporate headquarters in Ann Arbor, was part of the inaugural MET class.
“My mother told me when I was in elementary school, “You’re getting a college degree before you ever think about getting married,” said MET Alumna Lisa Ingall. “Her MET investment was the beginning of a hand-me-down tradition in our family of using the MET savings plan to make college more affordable for myself and other relatives – including my sister, my son, and soon my two nieces.”
In 2022, MET alumnus Armes landed a job with Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays after graduating from Central Michigan University.
“My journey to the big leagues didn’t start with my first glove, a new bat or a pitching regimen in my backyard,” said MET alumnus Nick Armes, a Livonia native who is director of fan experience at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. “It began the day my parents started saving for my higher education with the Michigan Education Trust.”
10 of the 100 winners told how the $15,000 will help their families.
- Tiki Green, a leasing consultant from Inkster, who is both grandmother and legal guardian to Nylah, 4. She described how winning the MET prize comes on the heels of two family tragedies within the last year: the death of her 25-year-old daughter Asha (Nylah’s mother) in a car accident and the Covid-related loss of her brother and sister-in-law within hours of each other that left their 7 children without parents.
- Justin Yow, of Lake Orion, an engineer, first-generation college graduate and father of four who designated his MET prize for his 4-year-old daughter Amelia. She wants to be a scientist.
- Vincent Baker, of DeWitt, a manager at LiquidWeb and father of two who wants his children, Vivian and Caroline, to continue his family’s legacy as MSU Spartans.
- Michelle Nguyen, of Waterford, an auto industry engineer and mother to three-year-old daughter Lexi Luu. Lexi Luu wants to be a doctor. Michelle immigrated to the U.S. when she was 16 and is overjoyed that her daughter will get a great start to her college education.
- Scott Paul Bethke, of Fenton, is retired and the father of three grown triplets. He has 7 grandchildren and plans to use his MET prize for his grandson, Roman.
- Kristy Hudson, of Ferndale, an early intervention teacher, who shed tears of joy at hearing that she can use her prize for her foster son Adam. She noted that only 3% of foster children pursue higher education and how the MET prize further helps set Adam up for success.
- Nicole Richards, of Ferndale, a stay-at-home mother of three and MET alumna who plans to use her MET award for her son Darwin. He wants to go into medicine when he grows up.
- Zachary White, of Allendale, a nurse practitioner at Muskegon Family Care and father of two, James and Evelyn.
- Jameson Keating-Ehlers, of Kawkawlin in Bay County, a gas service field leader for Consumers Energy and father of three daughters, didn’t go to college himself. But he hopes the MET prize will help his daughters pursue their dreams.
- Holly Walker, of Sanford in Midland County, a business learning leader and mother of three, Weston, Max and Josie. The Walker family is still recovering from the massive damage to their home that occurred when dams collapsed and flooded the region in 2020. She is grateful for the peace of mind winning the MET prize gives her family after undergoing such a hardship.
About the Michigan Education Trust
Administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, MET lets families pay today’s prices for future higher education costs. Signed into law in December 1986, it was the first prepaid tuition program in the nation.
More than 96% of high school graduates participating in MET have attended a college, university or technical school.
There are three types of MET plans: the full benefits plan, the limited benefits plan and the community college plan. Families can purchase one plan or mix and match options.
MET benefits can be used for postsecondary education at universities, colleges and technical schools. If a child chooses to attend a private Michigan school or out-of-state college or university, funds can be directed to that institution. MET benefits may also be transferred to other eligible family members and are refundable if the student chooses to attend trade school or does not attend college.
Parents, grandparents or other family and friends can make MET contributions on behalf of beneficiaries. MET has flexible and convenient payment options that allow purchasers to pay as they go, pay all at once or make monthly payments.
Contributions to MET plans are tax deductible on Michigan tax returns. Earnings are tax exempt if they are used for qualified higher education expenses.
More information about MET, including one-on-one consultation sessions with MET experts, is available at SETwithMET.com, 800-MET-4-KID or [email protected].
Expanding access to education and skills after high school
Governor Whitmer believes each Michigander deserves a path to a high wage job, and she is committed to making college degrees and skill certificates available and affordable for more residents.
- Signed legislation to ensure students are aware of all postgraduate opportunities available to them.
- Established and fully funded programs to provide tens of thousands of Michiganders tuition-free higher education or skills training that leads to a high-skill, good-paying job.
- Michigan Reconnect, a program that pays tuition of Michiganders 25 and up to pursue an associate degree or earn a skills certificate in high-demand careers. Over 100,000+ applicants accepted into program.
- Futures for Frontliners, providing a tuition-free path to postsecondary education or skills training for Michiganders who served on the frontlines of the pandemic. Over 85,000 applicants accepted into the program.
- Partnered with colleges to improve college completion rates for students enrolled in Reconnect and Futures—and all students.
by orionontv | Sep 19, 2022 | Local News
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ORION
OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR
CHRIS BARNETT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Samantha Timko 248-391-0304 ext. 1002
[email protected]
ORION TOWNSHIP HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING
FOR THE BROWN & JOSLYN ROAD GATEWAY BEAUTIFICATION
What: Orion Township holds ribbon cutting event in celebration of the completion of the gateway beautification project at the corner of Brown and Joslyn Roads.
Who: The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event.
When: Thursday, October 6, 2022
3:00 p.m.
Where: Brown and Joslyn Roads
Parking is available at Lake Orion Roofing (881 Brown Road) and Tommy’s Car Wash/Mattress Firm (861 Brown Road)
Why: Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett, Township Trustees, and the Corridor Improvement Authority Board are excited to extend this invitation to the community so we may celebrate together the beautification of the Brown and Joslyn Road gateway.
Earlier this year, the Township was awarded a $25,000 grant from CN, in partnership with America in Bloom, through their EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program. This program was established to provide matching grant funding to green communities where CN operates. The Township’s project was to transform the existing brush and overgrowth at the Brown and Joslyn Roads gateway to enhanced landscaping with native, low-maintenance evergreens and floral plants. Additionally, a gateway sign that is reflective of the community’s brand and image is being commissioned for installation later this year.
The beautification of the eastern border of the CIA has been a priority of the CIA Board and has been in development since the initial planning phases of the CIA Development & Tax Increment Financing Plan in 2015. Off to a positive start, the CIA has seen the completion of the Brown Road widening and improvement project, Baldwin Road streetscape project, and the
development of a Menards, Checker’s restaurant, Tommy’s car wash, and residential townhome development. Currently under construction are a Mattress Firm, the Hyatt House Hotel, and the Grand Square of Orion which will feature three hotels, a Culver’s restaurant, and a Texas Roadhouse.
The beautification of the southeast gateway into Orion Township and the Corridor Improvement Authority will finish a major milestone for the community and ensure the existing environmental degradation of the site from litter and roadway debris is regularly cleaned. The intersection will be a showcase reflective of the community’s environmental stewardship and hometown pride.
by orionontv | Sep 19, 2022 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces Members of First-Ever Michigan Parents’ Council
Council will center parent perspective in the policymaking process, and formalize how parent recommendations are included in governor’s education budgets
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the members of the Michigan Parents’ Council, an advisory group the governor established to more formally bring parents into the education budget process for the first time in Michigan history. The council will build on Governor Whitmer’s inclusion of the parent perspective in the most recent education budget she signed for the current 2022-2023 school year. The council represents parents from across Michigan, as well as parents of students with a variety of educational needs. The council will convene a series of regional parent roundtables to gather input.
“Parents are their children’s first and most important teacher, and we need their input to help our kids thrive in school,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, I am proud to announce the members of the Michigan Parents’ Council who will represent the parent perspective and ensure that parents have an empowered seat at the table in Michigan. We need parents’ perspectives to help our kids learn in-person, tackle unfinished learning, and get on track for long-term success. The bipartisan education budget I just signed delivers record resources to our schools, and with the input of Michigan parents, we can help schools implement this historic funding.”
“Meaningful parent engagement directly impacts the educational success and well-being of all students in Michigan,” said Tracey Troy, President of the Michigan PTA. “This council is the opportunity to empower Michigan parents and caregivers to work collaboratively with Governor Whitmer and Michigan Department of Education to help students reach their full potential. Governor Whitmer thoughtfully structured the council to include diverse perspectives while recognizing the uniqueness of each child and the essential partners families are in education.”
Michigan Parents’ Council
Due to a significant response from parents all over Michigan, the governor is announcing 11 appointments to the Council, an increase from the original seven appointments. The Council includes appointees who represent various communities and reflect the wide range of experiences and perspectives from across the state. Appointees include parents of children in public, private, and home school learning environments, children in early childhood learning programs, and elementary, middle, and high school students. They also include parents of children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), children who speak English as a second language (ESL), and children who are in foster or kinship care.
- Blanca J. Astua, of Holland, is a health promoter for Strangers No Longer.
- LaQuitta Brown, of Detroit, is a certified nursing assistant at Boulevard Temple Care Center in Detroit and as a COVID-19 health screener for Great Lakes Wined and Spirits.
- Jennifer L. Figler, of Gwinn, is an active volunteer in her community and a former breastfeeding peer helper.
- Cindy E. Gamboa, of Detroit, is the director of community organizing and advocacy for the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation.
- Sarah Kucher, of Birch Run, is a senior commodity buyer for ValuePoint Solutions.
- Yazeed Moore, of Grand Rapids, is a senior programs officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
- Bailey Nuss, of Traverse City, is the Northwest region impact director for the United Way of Northwest Michigan.
- Ranya Shbeib, of Bloomfield Hills, is a co-founder and board member of the Muslim Foster Care Association and a member of the Michigan Foster Care Review Board.
- Tracey Troy, of DeWitt, is a project manager for Dart Container Corporation and president of the Michigan PTA. The Governor has designated Ms. Troy to serve as the Chair of the Council.
- Rafael Turner, of Grand Blanc, is the manager of community affairs for Consumers Energy.
- Monique Zantop, of Jackson, is a co-founder of Birthbrite.
In addition to the 11 appointees on the Council, the following parents will participate on behalf of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and Executive Office of the Governor:
- Stacy Ann Sipes, of Potterville, is a departmental specialist for MDE and the president of the Potterville Board of Education. Ms. Sipes will represent MDE as the designee of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- Stephanie O’Dea is the K-12 education policy advisor for the Executive Office of the Governor. She will serve as the representative of the governor’s office and facilitate the operations of the council.
Appointees will lead the council and convene regional roundtables with families across Michigan to bring in as many voices as possible. The council includes the governor’s K-12 policy advisor and a designated representative of the Superintendent of Public Instruction from the Michigan Department of Education.
The first meeting of the Michigan Parents’ Council will be held virtually tomorrow, September 20.
In the following weeks, the council will convene roundtables of parents and family members across Michigan to strengthen partnerships between parents and schools. They will share input from the roundtables directly with the governor’s team and state superintendent. The council will submit a report to the governor highlighting major themes from the roundtables and summarizing proposals for inclusion in the governor’s 2023 budget recommendation by December 9, 2022.
The executive order establishing the council can be viewed here.
FY 2023 Education Budget Investments
The recently signed bipartisan education budget can be divided into six key sections: students, mental health, learning supports, student safety, school infrastructure, and teacher recruitment.
For our students, the highest state per-pupil funding in Michigan history—$9,150 for every kid, in every public school district. Additional support for the nearly 200,000 special education students and 710,000 at-risk students in Michigan. Expanding funding for career and technical education programs by 27%.
Dedicated mental health dollars for every student in every school. Increasing funding for teen centers, district mental health grants, and TRAILS, which offers training to school mental health professionals so they can better serve students with evidence-based services.
Funding MI Future Educator Fellowships, which pay up to $10,000 in tuition for 2,500 future Michigan educators a year, $9,600 stipends a semester for student teachers, and Grow-Your-Own programs that help districts put support staff on no-cost paths to become educators.
$250 million for school construction and renovations, helping them build or refurbish classrooms, labs, and libraries.
An expansion of before and after-school programs to keep kids engaged. The budget offers every kid in Michigan tutoring to help catch up and get on track for long-term success, and resources for districts to develop learning pods for academically at-risk and economically disadvantaged students.
Dedicated school safety dollars for every student in every school. Funds to hire more on-campus school resources officers, create an intervention system for at-risk students that brings together law enforcement, schools, and mental health professionals, and establish a school safety commission.
Governor Whitmer’s Education Investments
For four years in a row, Governor Whitmer has worked across the aisle to make the largest education investments in Michigan history—without raising taxes. Since taking office, the governor has tripled the number of literacy coaches, closed the funding gap between schools, boosted state per-student investment to an all-time high, and helped districts hire thousands of teachers and on-campus mental health professionals.
The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration’s education accomplishments can be found here.
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by orionontv | Sep 16, 2022 | Regional News
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Hi there,
I want to talk to you about our supply chains, and how the story of their vulnerabilities continues. Last week, it came out that every single one of our F-35 jets – our 5th generation and most advanced fighter – contain a Chinese-made metal alloy whose use is prohibited by law.
In 2021, after our dependencies on Chinese products like masks became clear during COVID, my Republican colleague, Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and I wondered what dependencies the U.S. military might have on Chinese companies when it came to our defense supply chains. In response, we led a bipartisan task force to pull back the curtain and see what we might need to do to rid ourselves of those dependencies.
We found that microchips and the rare earth minerals that make them were an important vulnerability for our military, so we passed bipartisan legislation pushing the Department of Defense for greater supply chain transparency and made recommendations for other legislation that would minimize our dependence on foreign suppliers.
Here’s the thing: our reliance on China undermines both our economic and national security. That’s why I’m leading bipartisan bills to keep us safe. The latest – the REEShore & HARD ROCK Acts – build up our critical mineral stockpiles to prevent this exact situation with the F-35.
Weaning ourselves — and especially our military equipment — off of critical Chinese components won’t just happen on its own. It will require policy and law to ensure our economic and national security.
– Rep. Elissa Slotkin
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by orionontv | Sep 15, 2022 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2022
Gov. Whitmer Unveils Future Mobility Plan to Ensure Michigan Remains Global Leader in Future Mobility
MI Future Mobility Plan coordinates efforts across multiple state departments and agencies to address challenges and support growth in mobility and electrification industry
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a new statewide strategy to ensure Michigan remains the global leader in the future of mobility. The MI Future Mobility Plan maps out a comprehensive strategy that addresses future mobility challenges by growing the mobility workforce, providing more accessible transportation infrastructure, and developing innovative mobility policies.
“Michigan put the world on wheels, and remaining the global leader in mobility and electrification depends on our ability to work together proactively to address future challenges,” said Governor Whitmer. “The MI Future Mobility Plan presents a unified approach and strategy to grow Michigan’s economy, invest in our workforce, and empower communities across the state through responsive policy and programming that prepares us for the future. It includes several goals for us to work towards and brings together partners across state government to get it done. Since I took office, we have announced 25,000 good-paying auto jobs and multi-billion-dollar investments from world-leading companies in electric vehicles, chips, and batteries. We have the momentum, and this plan will help us keep moving forward.”
“Michigan has a long heritage of success in automotive manufacturing and innovation,” said Trevor Pawl, OFME’s Chief Mobility Officer. “As the mobility industry continues to grow and evolve, we are laser-focused on leveraging our state’s talented workforce, ecosystem and available business resources to make Michigan a place where multi-modal mobility solutions are born, and companies can find long-term success and support.”
In developing the collaborative mobility plan, OFME and CFME worked closely with experts in the Michigan Departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO); Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Natural Resources; Treasury; Insurance and Financial Services; Michigan State Police; Michigan Economic Development Corporation; and Michigan Public Service Commission.
Broken down into three key pillars, the MI Future Mobility Plan lays out specific goals that will help create a stronger state economy through safer, more equitable and environmentally sound transportation for all Michiganders:
Pillar 1: Transition and Grow our Mobility Industry and Workforce
- Goal: Become a top three state for employment growth in mobility and automotive focused industries, creating 20,000 new jobs by the year 2026.
- Goal: Add 7,000 workers with mobility credentials by 2030, while increasing diversity of the sector’s workforce.
- Goal: Ensure Michigan maintains a resilient automotive and parts manufacturing sector that supports at least 170,000 jobs through 2030.
Pillar 2: Provide Safer, Greener and More Accessible Transportation Infrastructure –
- Goal: By 2030, deploy 100,000 electric vehicle chargers to support 2 million electric vehicle and improve access to H2 infrastructure.
- Goal: Maintain at least 80% of electric vehicle charging off-peak to minimize impacts to the grid.
- Goal: Reduce congestion and traffic crash rates statewide by 2026.
- Goal: Provide residents with consistent access to mobility-as-a-service options across Michigan’s 77 transit agencies by 2025.
Pillar 3: Lead the World in Mobility and Electrification Policy and Innovation
- Goal: Maintain #1 state ranking for mobility and electrification research and development spending.
- Goal: Become a top 10 state for growth in venture capital funding by 2026.
- Goal: Become a top 10 state for federal investments related to mobility and vehicle electrification.
- Goal: Lead the nation in electric and automated vehicle friendliness through responsive policies.
Michigan’s performance within these pillars will determine whether the state can build an inclusive economy that secures its position as a global mobility powerhouse, supports increased household income and creates more high-wage, high-skill jobs.
“This strategy is a great step forward for our state and its efforts to remain the global leader in mobility,” said Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MICHauto and vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber. “The honest assessment of the industry’s strengths and areas of opportunity paired with direct action items will bolster the state’s competitiveness through the industry’s ongoing evolution.”
The mobility plan builds on progress and successes the state has already seen under Governor Whitmer’s leadership including:
- Over 25,000 new jobs in the automotive industry and maintained Michigan’s position as America’s #1 in automotive research and development and manufacturing.
- The largest education investment in state history to prepare future generations of Michiganders for careers in mobility and electrification.
- A path to carbon neutrality by 2050, which includes a worry-free, statewide electric vehicle charging network before 2030.
- Fixing Michigan’s roads, while also futureproofing our infrastructure with a first in the nation self-driving vehicle corridor, smart parking lab and wireless charging corridor for electric vehicles.
- Leading national mobility policy conversations with the creation of the first five-state compact in the Midwest to focus on electric vehicle adoption.
“The transformation towards mobility and electrification creates exciting new opportunities for Michigan’s workforce and economy,” said LEO Director and CFME Chair Susan Corbin. “The State is working hard to prepare Michiganders with the skills and talent needed to fill high-demand careers of the future in the mobility sector and beyond.”
While global economies continue to transform, big mobility challenges remain as Michigan faces competition for new mobility jobs and research and development and risk capital investments, transitions in its workforce from traditional internal combustion engine skillsets to emerging autonomous vehicles and electric vehicle skillsets, transitions in its infrastructure and grid from serving internal combustion engine vehicles to also serving electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and next generation transit at scale and ensures that state regulatory environments and resources keep pace with the global market.
To learn more about the MI Future Mobility Plan Economy plan, visit here.
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