Governor Whitmer Signs 900th Bipartisan Bill

by Becky Andrus | Jul 19, 2022 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Signs 900th Bipartisan Bill

INFORM Act protects consumer safety, cracks down on crime in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the INFORM Act – House Bills 5486 and 5487 – which protects the pocketbooks of Michigan families and consumers by cracking down on crime within online marketplaces. Today’s bill signing brings the total number of bipartisan bills signed by Governor Whitmer to 900.

“Today, I am proud to sign my 900th bipartisan bill, proving that here in Michigan, we get things done by working across the aisle. When we work together, we deliver on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families, communities, and small businesses. Together, we have grown Michigan’s economy, created good-paying jobs, and invested in every community. We have so much more work to do, but I know that if we keep collaborating, the sky’s the limit,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s bills will protect families and consumer safety by requiring transparency and cracking down on criminals who sell counterfeit or stolen products online. We’ve seen how this necessary policy change is in light of bad actors hiking prices on infant formula during the formula shortage, taking advantage of moms and dads just trying to feed their kids.”

“Soon, I will sign my fourth balanced, bipartisan state budget to build on our work to protect families, invest in workforce development, strengthen public safety, and infrastructure projects in every region of the state,” continued Whitmer. “Let’s keep getting things done.”

“We’re pleased to have played our part in educating and supporting state officials in the passing of the INFORM Act in Michigan,” said Paul Jaeckle, Vice President of Asset Protection, Meijer. “We know the fraud that will be prevented by these Acts will positively impact brick and mortar retailers and consumers across Michigan. By continuing to lend our voice to this important issue in partnership with our fellow retail leaders and customer advocacy groups, we hope to bring these same protections to customers and brick and mortar retailers in states across the Midwest.”

“Retailers applaud Governor Whitmer for signing INFORM legislation into law today, protecting both consumers and retailers from the organized criminal rings who use online marketplaces to resell stolen merchandise for profit,” said William J. Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association. “This law is a key step in limiting criminals’ ability to resell stolen goods while providing additional safety and transparency for consumers.”

“This bipartisan, common-sense legislation strikes a balance between the need for increased transparency to thwart stolen and counterfeit products to protect consumers while simultaneously ensuring businesses are not punished with unreasonable reporting requirements,” said Leah Robinson, Director of Legislative Affairs and Leadership Programming, Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “The Michigan Chamber applauds the Michigan Legislature for working to find a bipartisan solution to this complex problem and the Governor for signing these important consumer protection measures.”

House Bill 5486 makes it an unfair trade practice for online marketplaces and high-volume third-party sellers to fail to obtain or disclose certain information.

House Bill 5486 was sponsored by Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D – Farmington Hills, and a copy can be found here.

“Passing the INFORM Act here in Michigan was one of my biggest priorities in my first term as a legislator, and I am proud to work across the aisle to make it happen,” said Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D – Farmington Hills. “This law will make third party reseller websites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy more legitimate, fair, and safe to use for all Michiganders while simultaneously protecting our retailers and small businesses from increasing threats of organized retail crime. With this legislation, Michigan sets the national standard for consumer protection and will once again take its leadership position at the forefront of innovative policymaking.”

House Bill 5487 requires high-volume third-party sellers to provide certain information to online marketplaces.

House Bill 5487 adds two new sections to the Michigan Consumers Protection Act (MCPA) that would require the “disclosure, maintenance, and verification of certain information” by a third-party high-volume seller to an online marketplace for the purpose of increasing consumer protection. House Bill 5486 adds a violation of these requirements to the list of conduct qualifying as an unlawful trade or commercial activity under the MCPA.

House Bill 5487 was sponsored by Rep. Mark Tisdel, R – Rochester Hills, and a copy can be found here.

Protecting Michigan Consumers

The Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration continues to take steps to protect Michigan families from price gouging by third-party online retailers, including recent unfair price hikes on baby formula. This marketplace reform is helping to reduce costs and enhance consumer protections across the state. Today’s bills are two more examples of what the administration is doing to deliver on kitchen-table issues and put Michigan first.

Governor Whitmer signs 900th bipartisan bill

Governor Whitmer signs 900th bipartisan bill image 2

Task Force On Juvenile Justice Reform Approves Blueprint

by Becky Andrus | Jul 19, 2022 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

July 18, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Michigan’s Task Force On Juvenile Justice Reform Approves Comprehensive Blueprint For Transforming Juvenile Justice Statewide

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform met to approve a comprehensive set of consensus-based recommendations to transform Michigan’s juvenile justice system. These recommendations are based on an unprecedented assessment of Michigan’s juvenile justice system and are grounded in what research shows works to improve community safety, reduce disparities, and improve youth outcomes.

The approved recommendations establish a statewide blueprint for aligning policies and practices across the juvenile justice continuum with research and best practice, including:

Expanding diversion opportunities for youth who are not a public safety risk.
Creating a statewide juvenile public defense system and best practice standards.

Increasing funding for effective community-based programs, including alternatives to incarceration, and tying funding to evidence-based practices.
Adopting data-driven tools to guide diversion, court, and detention decisions.
Strengthening standards and quality assurance for local probation practices and statewide residential programs.
Expanding data collection to measure system performance, outcomes, and equity.
Establishing a statewide advisory board of youth and families impacted by the system to help guide ongoing system improvements.

The bipartisan Task Force was initially formed in June 2021 to study the juvenile justice system and develop data-driven recommendations for statewide reform. This assessment involved case level data analysis, focus groups with hundreds of diverse stakeholders across the state, and listening sessions with youth and families directly impacted by the system. Based on this assessment, multiple working groups met for months to identify and make recommendations to the Task Force for how best to improve the system.

“Michigan continues to lead on justice issues, and these consensus-based recommendations reaffirm our dedication to support our young Michiganders and improve community safety,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “These recommendations will reduce how many youth come into contact with the juvenile justice system and also serve young people that do enter the system more effectively and developmentally appropriately. We won’t let one mistake in a young person’s life shatter their future.”

“I’m proud of the work of the Task Force and what we have achieved for our young people today,” said Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement. “We are providing local courts with more tools to guide diversion and disposition decisions, more resources to keep young people in their homes and communities and effectively meet their needs, and more training and technical assistance through the State Court Administrator’s Office to help local courts to implement new policies and programs effectively.”

“I am grateful to serve as Chair of the Task Force and work alongside these committed public servants to chart a new path forward for Michigan’s juvenile justice system,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “With a commitment to data collection, transparency, and inclusion of the voices and perspectives of those most impacted by the system, we will be able to make real change in our communities. These recommendations will serve as a blueprint to not only improve public safety, but reduce disparities.”

“I have long been an advocate for ensuring all youth who come into contact with our court system have access to qualified counsel, that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently for proven programs and practices, and that we use data to guide system decisions and promote accountability,” said Representative Sarah Lightner. “I’m pleased that the Task Force recommendations move us so firmly in these directions.”

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes, while also still being held accountable for their actions,” said Senator Sylvia Santana. “Reform such as establishing a minimum age of court jurisdiction and competency, eliminating court fines and fees, and developing probation and reentry standards that make family engagement central will make a meaningful difference for youth, families, and communities.”

“We all want safer communities and to make sure kids receive the services they need to get their lives back on track,” said Chief Everette Robbins. “I’m pleased that we are investing in effective community-based services while also focused on improving services in facilities for those kids that do commit more serious offenses so they can reintegrate successfully back into the community.”

The task force was composed of leaders from across branches of government, state and local agencies, those working in and impacted by the system, and other stakeholders, and was facilitated by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center. As a next step, the task force will release a full report of the assessment findings and approved recommendations on July 22, and then work to translate and adopt the approved recommendations into legislation, administrative, court rule, and other policy changes.

To learn more about the recommendations, please visit https://michigancommitteeonjuvenilejustice.com/jj-reform-task-force/.

Lt. Governor speaking at podium

MI Clean Water Grants to Help Six Communities

by Becky Andrus | Jul 19, 2022 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Awards MI Clean Water Grants to Help Six Communities Protect and Improve Drinking Water, Upgrade Water Infrastructure

Final grants of first stage of governor’s plan awards six communities $5.5M supporting jobs and protecting waters

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer awarded more than $5 million under the MI Clean Water Plan to help six communities improve drinking water systems and ensure clean and reliable drinking water for residents.

“The MI Clean Water Plan continues to make investments empowering communities to identify and replace lead water lines, clean up toxic contamination, expand sewer systems, address failing septic systems, and keep water affordable always,” said Governor Whitmer. “We have invested over $120 million under the MI Clean Water Plan into water infrastructure, and the Building Michigan Together Plan I signed earlier this year will invest nearly an additional $2 billion, ensuring that we can deliver clean drinking water to every Michigan family, school, and small business. I will work with anyone to build up Michigan’s water infrastructure and protect every Michigander’s right to clean, affordable drinking water.”

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) awarded Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants (DWI) to the following four communities:

City of Ann Arbor

$1.38 million for projects to facilitate overall drinking water system upgrades.

“The City of Ann Arbor is excited to receive a Clean Water Grant from the State of Michigan to support improvements to its raw water pump station”, said City Administrator Milton Dohoney. “This station was constructed in 1949, and this project will allow the city to replace aging infrastructure. Once complete, this project will improve water supply reliability for the City’s 125,000 customers.”

East Lansing – Meridian Water and Sewer Authority

$2 million for projects to facilitate overall drinking water system upgrades.

City of Owosso

$403,500 for projects to facilitate overall drinking water system upgrades.

Village of Shelby

$621,000 for projects to facilitate overall drinking water system upgrades.

In addition, Benton Charter Township received $690,000 in a Consolidation and Contamination Risk Reduction (C2R2) grant to remove or reduce per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or other contaminants, as defined under state or federal drinking water regulations, or efforts to consolidate systems or connect private residential wells to a local municipal system.

“The MI Clean Water Grant means a lot to the residents and community people who use our services in the township, ensuring a healthy work and living environment for all who drink or cook with our water,” said Township Supervisor Cathy Yates. “This is a priority for our township: to ensure all within the boundaries have access to clean and safe water.”

The City of Romulus received $456,300 in a Drinking Water Asset Management (DWAM) grant to help drinking water suppliers develop and update asset management plans, and/or create a process to identify and work toward the removal of hazardous materials that are part of the distribution system, such as lead service lines.

MI Clean Water Plan

Governor Whitmer’s bipartisan 2020 MI Clean Water Plan directed $102.1 million in federal funds for lead service line replacement and $105 million for general fund programs that address PFAS or other contaminants, planning and rate studies, asset management plan development, and lead service line identification. To date, the plan has invested a total of $124 million:

$56.4 million for 19 municipalities for lead service line replacement.
$35.5 million for 105 communities to study their water systems infrastructure and identify potential hazards.
$21.6 million for 10 communities to reduce PFAS contamination.
$8.6 million for eight communities to improve their drinking water infrastructure.
$1.9 million for 27 communities to implement water rate plans to support their asset management plan, or watershed plans supporting long-term infrastructure needs to address public health and environmental risks.

Building Michigan Together Plan

The MI Clean Water Plan is not alone in supporting communities’ water infrastructure needs. On March 30, Governor Whitmer signed into law the nearly $5 billion bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, which makes the state’s largest-ever investment to rebuild and upgrade infrastructure, including water, transportation, high-speed internet, and more. It promises to grow the economy, benefit families statewide, and create up to 27,000 jobs to replace 20,000 lead water service lines. More than $1.9 billion for water infrastructure improvements in the plan includes:

At least $341 million to replace lead service lines, including 100% of lead service lines in Benton Harbor.
$40.5 million to help communities tackle toxic contaminants such as PFAS in drinking water and wastewater. That includes $18 million for the C2R2 grant program, $8.5 million of which is earmarked for Oscoda, a Michigan flashpoint for PFAS contamination near the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base.
$20 million to help drinking water suppliers develop and update asset management plans and take stock of materials in their distribution systems, such as lead service lines.

ELGE Investments in Michigan Communities

EGLE invests more than half of its budget in Michigan communities in the form of financial assistance to address water infrastructure and other efforts to protect the environment and public health. Learn about funding opportunities for Michigan communities or see an interactive grants and loans dashboard on EGLE’s Grants and Financing webpage.

Landmark veterans bill on toxic exposure

by Becky Andrus | Jul 18, 2022 | Regional News

Hi there,

I have some incredible news for our veterans: last week, the House passed the historic Honoring Our PACT Act, which will finally address toxic exposure among service members. It now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass and be sent to the President’s desk.

You might remember a message from me a little while back celebrating the passage of this same bill in the House. The legislation had to return to our side of Congress due to a procedural issue, but is now back on track and on its way to becoming law.

Included in the package is my bipartisan Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which will help service members suffering from the effects of burn pit exposure get the specialized treatment they deserve.

When Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough recently made a visit to our district, he and I sat down with a few vets for a frank conversation on services and benefits. Burn pit exposure was one of their top concerns, and we got a lot of questions about the PACT Act.

Make no mistake – burn pits are the Agent Orange of the post-9/11 generation of vets, and before this bill becomes law, veterans have had to fight the VA and jump through a ton of hoops just to prove that their health issues might be connected to their exposure to burn pits in combat zones. My bill removes that burden, formally recognizing that those who served near burn pits were exposed to airborne hazards and toxins so that they can get proper care.

As an Army wife and someone who lived on a military base during three tours in Iraq where burn pits were used, this issue is personal for me, and it has been one of my top priorities in Congress. I first introduced the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act over a year ago with my Republican colleague and fellow Michigander Rep. Peter Meijer, so this moment has been a long time coming. We’ve been working hard to get it over the finish line, and I can’t wait to see it signed into law this summer!

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin

Connect Residents to Advance Careers through Education

by Becky Andrus | Jul 14, 2022 | Regional News

Career and Education Navigators to Connect Residents with Financial and Other Support to Advance Careers through Education or Training

Team will help adults attain post-secondary degree or certification and build the region’s talent pipeline.
Career and education navigators will be embedded in communities throughout Oakland County.
Partners include Oakland County Michigan Works!, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, Lawrence Technological University, Baker College, Oakland Literacy Council and others.

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County, in partnership with several regional educational institutions and community organizations, launched a new effort today to help Oakland County residents obtain a post-secondary degree or certification.

Career and education navigators will help individuals find paths to meaningful careers, get into and complete college or training programs, and reduce obstacles to education such as the cost of books, registration fees, and childcare options. To connect with a career and education navigator, call 1-888-559-4360 or click on www.oakgov.com/Oakland80.

“This program targets Oakland County adults to help them open the door to new or better career opportunities,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We identified the resources needed to launch this program and hired people who are uniquely qualified to connect students with the help they need to launch a successful career.”

The career and education navigators are responsible for helping prospective students enter educational programs, including applying to post-secondary institutions, filing financial aid applications, accessing loan applications, transferring records, registering for classes, and helping tackle other barriers to success. Their work also includes intensive coaching and ongoing mentorship through graduation and beyond.

Career and Education Navigator Cal Talley said Oakland County residents who want to improve their career options, but may not be aware of the resources available, now have a partner in helping them achieve success.

“Oakland County’s career and education navigators are here to support you as you take the next steps in gaining your degree or credential,” he said. “From the application and enrollment process to student aid and support services like childcare, books, and transportation, our navigators will help you every step of the way in reaching your goals.”

The other career and education navigators and the communities in which they will be embedded are:

Team leader Tamara Myles
Jason Chapman in Troy
Rachel Dixon in Southfield
Carlton Elam in Waterford
Janice Fitzhugh based in Oak Park
Tonya Medlock in Pontiac
Paul Wierzbicki in Waterford

Talley is based in Novi. Navigator biographies accompany this press release in the press kit.

The career and education navigators will be located at the six Oakland County Michigan Works! Offices, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, the Oakland Literacy Council, and other partner sites around the county.

Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., whose campus will host a career and education navigator, said higher education translates into opportunity for individuals, their families, and communities.

“A college degree provides a person with more career options, upward mobility and significantly more earning potential,” Hirsch Pescovitz said. “Higher education also has a direct and positive impact on the community, society, and economic development. The data is unequivocal – there’s a direct correlation between education, quality of life and the health of our citizens and our economy.”

The Career and education navigators, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are aligned with Oakland80, Oakland County’s goal to achieve 80 percent of its residents obtaining a post-secondary degree or certification by 2030.

According to 2019 data from the Lumina Foundation, 59 percent of Oakland County’s 679,000 working adults already have an advanced degree. This outpaces the state of Michigan, which has a rate of 49 percent. The U.S. average of people with college degrees is 52 percent. Oakland County recognizes more needs to be done to improve the pipeline of skilled workers. According to recent southeast Michigan labor market data from Emsi, there were 2,736 job postings in advanced manufacturing, 595 in construction, 2,622 in health care and 6,530 in information technology.

WD-O80NavigatorBiosSheet-v2.pdf

Support-Services-Flyer.pdf

Education Budget Making Highest State Per-Pupil Investment

by Becky Andrus | Jul 14, 2022 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 14, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Education Budget Making Highest State Per-Pupil Investment Ever, Funding School Infrastructure, Teacher Recruitment

Historic budget will improve every kid’s in-class experience, build up school facilities, recruit and train skilled educators, boost on-campus mental health resources, shore up school safety

FLINT, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan education budget that will make the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history, invest half a billion dollars in school infrastructure, fund teacher recruitment, bolster school safety, expand mental health resources, and so much more.

“Every kid in every district deserves to feel safe and supported in school, and I am proud today to sign a historic, bipartisan education budget that will make game-changing investments to improve every student’s in-class experience,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The budget makes the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history to help schools buy new textbooks, offer more personalized instruction, and bolster AP and honors classes. It also bolsters resources for special education, at-risk funding, and career and technical education while expanding slots in free after-school and preschool programs. Finally, to improve the on-campus experience, the budget invests a quarter of a billion dollars in school infrastructure to build or renovate everything from classrooms, computer labs, and libraries, and significantly expands teacher recruitment programs so we attract and train thousands of educators every year. This budget is proof of what is possible when we put our students first and stay focused on getting things done.”

“On behalf of MEA’s 120,000 members from across the state, we would like to thank Gov. Whitmer for listening to the voices of educators and taking our expertise to heart in developing this transformative education budget,” said Paula Herbart, President of the Michigan Education Association and a veteran teacher from Macomb County. “The governor’s new budget will help address serious challenges in our local schools, including the educator shortage, student mental health, and post-pandemic learning support. Every child deserves a quality education and an opportunity for success, and the governor’s budget will go a long way toward achieving that vital goal.”

“Gov. Whitmer has worked effectively with the legislature and came through for students and educators, this time with a strong budget that represents the largest per-pupil investment in our state’s history. The increase in support for at-risk and special education students is critical, as it will better position schools to set vulnerable kids up for success. The move to further invest in both career and technical education and colleges and universities also reaffirms the governor’s commitment to strengthening our economy and ensuring Michigan students have options for their future,” said David Hecker, President of the American Federation of Teachers Michigan.

“This year’s budget is going to pay huge dividends for our students now and into the future,” said Jason Messenger, Principal of Portage West Middle School and President of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Directors. “In addition to increasing funding for our students with the greatest need, the significant investments in mental health and school safety will help ensure that students are safe and supported at school so they can reach their potential. The funding for new teacher recruitment is an important step in building back our educator workforce so all Michigan students have access to the education professionals who support their learning. Thank you to Governor Whitmer and the legislature for passing a historic budget that invests in all students.”

Education Budget by the Numbers

$9,150 per-pupil funding for every kid, in every public school district, highest state amount ever.
$214 per-pupil mental health and school safety funding for every kid, in every public school district.
Additional funding to meet students’ individual needs for all of the nearly 200,000 special education and 710,000 at-risk students.
1,300 more free preschool slots in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
$250 million for school infrastructure.
$10,000 in tuition for 2,500 future Michigan educators every year.

Education Budget Breakdown

The education budget can be divided into six key sections: students, mental health, learning supports, student safety, school infrastructure, and teacher recruitment.

1) Students

For our students, the highest state per-pupil funding in Michigan history—$9,150 for students in every district. Additional support for the nearly 200,000 special education students and 710,000 at-risk students in Michigan. An expansion of free preschool under the Great Start Readiness Program to 1,300 more kids. Expanding funding for career and technical education programs by 27%.

2) Mental Health

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.

3) Learning Supports

An expansion of before and after-school programs to keep kids engaged. Funding for the MI Kids Back on Track, Governor Whitmer’s proposal to offer 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.

4) Student Safety

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.

5) School Infrastructure

$250 million for school infrastructure. Resources to help schools build or refurbish classrooms, labs, and libraries. Funds to assess current state of school infrastructure, determine further funding.

6) Teacher Recruitment

Funding MI Future Educator Fellowships, which pay up to $10,000 in tuition for 2,500 future Michigan educators every 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. Additional funding for career and technical education educators and the Troops-to-Teachers program that connects veterans with mentor teachers as they work to become certified educators. Finally, a robust investment to guarantee retired teachers have a stable, secure retirement.

Education Bill Signing