by Becky Andrus | Apr 7, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for Congressman Alcee Hastings
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to remain lowered to half-staff through Thursday, April 8 to honor and remember the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings.
“Our state is heartbroken about the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings,” Whitmer said. “Congressman Hastings was a true champion of equality, and our entire nation is grateful for his work advancing civil rights. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
The State of Michigan remembers Congressman Alcee Hastings by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at 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, April 8, 2021.
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by Becky Andrus | Mar 31, 2021 | Regional News
Hi there,
Tax day has moved to May 17th this year. Here’s some information to help ensure you’re able to file your taxes with as little headache as possible.
The IRS is encouraging individuals, if able, to file electronically to speed up your refunds.
Did you not get your prior COVID stimulus check(s), but think you should have?
To recap: Congress passed relief bills in March and December of 2020 which provided stimulus checks of up to $1,200 and $600, respectively. These checks went to individuals making $75,000 or less and couples filing jointly making $150,000 or less. Individuals making more than $75,000, and couples making more than $150,000, may qualify for portions of these checks.
The threshold for the previous stimulus checks was based on your 2018 or 2019 tax returns, even though the payments were technically advance credits on your 2020 taxes. So, if you made less in 2020, and should have qualified for the stimulus check, you may qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return to claim it. Click here to do so.
Need help filing your taxes?
If your income is less than $72,000, check out the IRS’ Free File Program. You may be able to access filing assistance. Click here to check it out.
2020 wasn’t an average year, make sure you check out these resources. Visit this page put together by the IRS that provides helpful information.
Happy filing,
Elissa Slotkin
by Becky Andrus | Mar 31, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer on President Biden Delivering Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses for Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the White House announced that a substantial increase in doses of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine would be made available to Michigan starting next week. This action follows recent requests made by Governor Whitmer to the administration for more vaccines and will further help to mitigate the recent rise in cases.
In next week’s shipment, the Biden Administration will increase the state’s direct allocation by 66,020 doses for a total of 620,040 vaccines, a weekly record high for Michigan. This allocation includes 147,800 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In addition to the state’s direct allocation, the governor also applauds the millions of additional doses being sent to federally partnered retail pharmacies across the country, which includes numerous locations in Michigan.
“I’m so grateful to have a partner in the White House that has our backs here in Michigan. We know that the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective at preventing COVID-19. These additional doses of the safe, effective vaccines will help us slow the spread of the virus, return to normalcy, and continue building our economy back better. As we work closely with our state’s leading health experts to monitor COVID-19 trends, I’m asking Michiganders to double down on smart precautions. The pandemic is not yet behind us, but we’ve learned a tremendous amount about how to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We are moving forward with plans to ramp up testing for schools, businesses, nursing homes, and we recently surpassed four million doses of the vaccine in under four months. However, until we equitably vaccinate enough Michiganders 16 and up, everyone has to do their part. Wear a mask, wash your hands, socially distance, and as soon as you are eligible, get the vaccine. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re still in it. The only way out is forward and together. Let’s get it done.”
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by Becky Andrus | Mar 31, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Increases Daily Vaccination Goal to 100,000 Shots Per Day
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer raised Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day. The new goal is based on the state’s successful efforts to expand equitable and efficient vaccine administration by partnering with private and public organizations in communities across the state, and is made possible by continuous week-over-week increases in the number of vaccines allocated to the state of Michigan.
For 38 days, the state has met or exceeded its original goal of administering 50,000 vaccinations per day. To date, Michigan has administered 4,207,102 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible.
“Michigan is making great strides as our rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines continues ramping up,” said Governor Whitmer. “The safe, effective vaccines are one of the best ways to protect you and your family from coronavirus, and they are essential to getting our country back to normal so we can hug our families, get back to work, send our kids to school, and get together again. These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what we can do together, and we need to meet them so we can keep rebuilding our economy. Thanks to capable leadership at the national level, heroic efforts by frontline workers who are working around the clock, and the dedication of millions of Michiganders, we will put this pandemic behind us. I urge everyone to continue doing their part with masks, social distancing, and hand washing, and when you are eligible, get your vaccine.”
In next week’s shipment, the Biden Administration will increase the state’s direct allocation by 66,020 doses for a total of 620,040 vaccines, a weekly record high for Michigan. This allocation includes 147,800 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. In addition to the state’s direct allocation, the governor also applauds the millions of additional doses being sent to federally partnered retail pharmacies across the country, including numerous locations in Michigan.
“The state is working hand-in-hand with health care systems, local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, primary care providers and others to get Michiganders vaccinated with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “Providers have administered more than four million doses in just four months and we praise and appreciate their willingness to serve their communities, and are confident they will meet and exceed the new 100,000 shots per day goal.”
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by Becky Andrus | Mar 30, 2021 | Regional News
Great Lakes Governors call on Biden Administration to sustain support for critical water infrastructure
LANSING, Mich. – The governors of four Great Lakes states today urged President Joe Biden to prioritize federal investments in long-neglected water infrastructure to advance environmental sustainability and climate resilience, put Americans to work, and address structural inequities that saddle at-risk communities with some of the nation’s most daunting water infrastructure challenges.
In a letter sent to Biden, which Michigan was the first to sign onto, the governors lauded the American Rescue Plan Act’s $360 billion in direct aid to state and local governments and the inclusion of water and sewer infrastructure as acceptable uses for the federal money. “As your administration continues to develop and pursue its policy agenda, we respectfully encourage you to continue your emphasis on modernizing America’s water infrastructure,” reads the letter.
Maintaining this emphasis will help states create comprehensive water infrastructure programs with local, state and federal resources that can “spur and complement progress on COVID‑19 response, economic recovery, racial equity, climate resilience, and other top administration priorities.”
The letter was signed by governors JB Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Tony Evers of Wisconsin.
“As gateways to and guardians of the Great Lakes, we are all dedicated to modernizing and building resilient, climate-conscious water infrastructure,” said Governor Whitmer. “The health of our families, 21% of the world’s fresh drinking water, and 51 million jobs depend on our immediate, collective action. We ask for your partnership and prioritization of critical water infrastructure going forward. We are grateful for the American Rescue Plan’s significant aid to our communities and await the bold infrastructure elements laid out in the Build Back Better plan and proposed in the President’s budget.”
The letter outlines the many challenges of communities struggling to maintain old water treatment and management systems across the Great Lakes states. From dam failures to water main breaks, to emerging pollutants like PFAS and high water levels exacerbated by climate change impacts, states face a daunting array of new challenges to already-stressed systems.
More than $2 trillion in national water infrastructure work will be needed in the next 20 years, the governors told President Biden. “It is time to think big” in order to meet the President’s challenge to “build back better” the letter concludes. “We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you and your team the scale, scope, and contours of a major water infrastructure initiative that would exemplify your commitment.”
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by Becky Andrus | Mar 30, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer & Lt. Governor Gilchrist on 4 Million Vaccines Administered
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist today issued the following statements after Michigan surpassed four million doses of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine:
“This weekend, Michigan surpassed 4 million doses administered of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our rollout continues to pick up steam and we will not rest until we reach our goal of equitably vaccinating 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and up. Michigan continues to make significant strides – administering four million vaccines in less than four months – as we work to ensure every Michigander has access to the vaccine. In line with President Biden’s goals, all Michiganders 16 and up will be eligible to receive the vaccine starting April 5. We will emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever and celebrate Independence Day together with friends and family. We will become the state that beat this damn virus.”
To date, Michigan has administered 4,126,550 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. For 34 days the state has passed its goal of administrating 50,000 shots per day.
“We continue to meet or exceed our goals as more and more Michiganders become eligible to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said. Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “With every vaccine administered, we get one step closer to eliminating this deadly virus once and for all. I’m asking every Michigander to make a plan to get the vaccine when it is your turn. We can all be part of the solution that saves lives and helps us get back to normal. Soon we will be able to see and hug our friends, families, and loved ones, but for now we must continue taking smart precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing our hands.”
Both Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist will get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine when they become eligible under the next phase of vaccine administration guidelines.
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