Regional News Archives - Page 53 of 236

Gov. Highlights Opening of Nearly 700 New Child Care Programs

by orionontv | May 25, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2023

Gov. Whitmer Highlights Opening of Nearly 700 New Child Care Programs, Celebrates Progress on One-Year Anniversary of Caring for MI Future

State on track to surpass goal to open 1,000 child care programs by the end of 2024, lower costs for families and help them access child care that meets their needs.

LANSING MI – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that 687 child care entrepreneurs have opened new child care programs and an additional 1,829 center- and home-based programs have expanded to service more children—lowering costs and expanding access to quality child care for Michigan families. Today is also the one-year anniversary of Caring for MI Future, a comprehensive strategy with a goal of opening 1,000 new child care programs by the end of 2024. Michigan is well on track to continue expanding child care options, helping parents go back to work knowing their kids are safe and cared for, and lowering their costs.

“Investing in high-quality, affordable child care lowers costs for working families, helps parents go back to work, and ensures kids have a safe place to grow and develop,” said Governor Whitmer, “A year ago, we launched Caring for MI Future and set a goal of opening 1,000 new child care centers by the end of 2024. Today, less than halfway through 2023, nearly 700 new child care licenses have been issued, putting us well on track to keep expanding child care options in every region and driving down costs for families. Let’s keep working together to improve accessibility, affordability, and recruit, train, and retain early educators that live and work in their communities.”

“Child care keeps Michigan working,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Thanks to child care entrepreneurs and the Caring for MI Future team more families can now go to work and school knowing their children are safe, happy, healthy, and learning. We’re not done. Demand for quality child care is still high, and we need more professionals to enter the field. Our team is ready to help them succeed.”

“I am pleased with the tremendous progress towards our goal of 1,000 new child care facilities by the close of 2024. Our team at LARA has helped nearly 700 new child care entrepreneurs realize their dream of starting their own business and another 1,829 child care entrepreneurs expand their existing child care business.” said Orlene Hawks, director of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. “Over the past year we hosted webinars and child care access fairs throughout the state, connected people with start-up funding, in-person and virtually, teaching, training, troubleshooting, and learning with Michiganders that have committed their lives to creating safe spaces for children to learn and grow.”

“Because of the opportunity provided by LARA and Our Strong Start (OSS), my dream of over 20 years of owning a child care center has become a reality. Because of the grants and help of OSS, I was able to pursue and accomplish this dream,” said Tenisia Evans, owner and operator, Boss Baby Early Learning Center. Evans had owned a home-based child care since 2007 and opened her center in early 2023.

About Caring for MI Future:

Caring for MI Future is a statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open new or expand existing child care programs. In May 2022, Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist set a bold goal to open 1,000 new child care providers by the end of 2024. At the same time, they announced Caring for MI Future—statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open new or expand existing child care programs.

With the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the state invested $100M million in federal Child Care Development Block Grant funds, managed and overseen by the Michigan Department of Education, to improve access to affordable child care options and create sustainable systems to support the current and next generation of child care business owners.

Through Caring for MI Future, entrepreneurs have access to resources to launch and expand their businesses. Entrepreneurs can learn more at Michigan.gov/caringformifuture and contact an Our Strong Start Navigator to learn which resources are the right fit for their goals. To date, providers in nearly every county of the state have participated in Caring for MI Future, including:

Our Strong Start (OSS): LARA’s team of navigators continue to support entrepreneurs as they establish or expand their business. LARA’s team has helped all 687 new facilities and 1,829 expanded facilities with a variety of assistance including developing business plans, accessing grant funding, and navigating the licensing process. Our Strong Start has received 9,758 unique visitors to our website and have worked with 2,647 child care entrepreneurs.
Facility improvement grants: The state has awarded $10.8 million towards 963 facility improvement grants in 67 counties. An additional, 2,242 applications are submitted and being reviewed. These funds are available to help entrepreneurs renovate facilities.

Startup funding: The state is supporting entrepreneurs before and after receiving their child care license, including:

882 pre-licensure grants for child care entrepreneurs in 66 counties
196 start-up grants for child care entrepreneurs in 41 counties (available after receiving their license)

Business development tools: Since May 2022, 738 child care entrepreneurs have participated in professional development to strengthen their business plan and set their program up for success, including 1:1 consultations, trainings, webinars, workshops, and communities of practice.
Support recruiting and developing staff: Forty-two counties are engaging in workforce efforts to recruit, train, and retain talented early educators to live and work in their communities with grant funding from Caring for MI Future.

Gov. Whitmer Signs MOU with Australia

by orionontv | May 25, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Signs MOU with Australia to Continue Growing Economy & Opportunity

LANSING, Mich. – Last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Michigan and Australia reaffirming our commitment to collaboration in the automotive industry, future mobility, and the transportation sector.

“Michigan is excited to work alongside Australia to continue growing our automotive, maritime, and sustainable forest bioeconomy industries, fight climate change head-on, and collaborate to make mobility cleaner and safer,” said Governor Whitmer. “This MOU will build on Michigan’s longstanding, shared heritage with Australia and help us to collaborate to create opportunities for safe, equitable and sustainable transportation options. Right now, Michigan’s unemployment is 3.8%, below 4% for only the third time since the 1970s and we have added 61,000 jobs year over year. With effective collaborations like today, we can keep growing our economy and building the future.”

“Signing the MOU enables ongoing bilateral cooperation across the Australian and Michigan automotive and technology sectors and policy makers,” said Minister King. “It promotes emission reduction outcomes, improves collaboration in future transport technologies, and enhances supply chain connectivity.”

The MOU signed by Governor Whitmer and Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King increased collaboration between Australia and Michigan to get ready for more accessible, safer, and more connected transportation in the future. It will support the continuous collaboration between Australian and Michigan policymakers and the automotive and technology industries. This MOU will serve as the foundation for the two jurisdictions’ ongoing cooperation to ensure that the transportation industry contributes to the effort to reduce emissions. Michigan has made a commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, like that of Australia. Previously, the State of Michigan and the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Andrew Broad, signed an MOU in October 2018 to work together on cutting-edge automobile and road technologies that will enhance mobility.

Areas of possible cooperation in the MOU include:

Sharing information on science, technology, regulations, and policies; co-hosting conferences, workshops, and meetings between Michigan and Australia and other nations.
Exchanging best practices in workforce development and skilled trades.
Creating new initiatives to address the demands of developing technologies.

The formation of a collaborative task team to offer guidance on bolstering Australian and Michigan technology clusters and linking important coordinating bodies

Governor Whitmer was joined for the signing by Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO, MEDC, Terri Fitzpatrick, Executive Vice President, Chief Real Estate and Global Attraction Officer, MEDC, Eric Shreffler, Senior Vice President, Market Development, MEDC, Kathryn Snorrason, Interim Chief Mobility Officer, OFME and Katelyn Wilcox, Assistant Chief of Protocol, MEDC.

Through the Australian Integrated Multimodel EcoSystem (AMES), a project of the University of Melbourne, the MOU between Australia and Michigan has advanced significantly. The MOU promotes connections between, for instance, Michigan’s Mcity and American Center for Mobility off-road facilities and AMES, which has a live test bed on Melbourne city streets. This MOU will serve as the foundation for future cooperation between our two jurisdictions ensuring that the transportation industry contributes to the effort to reduce emissions.

This MOU builds on Governor Whitmer’s commitment to cleaner, safer, and more accessible mobility in Michigan. The updated MOU between Michigan and Australia reaffirms our dedication to working together in the automotive industry, future mobility, and the transportation industry.  Accessibility, safety, traffic, and productivity benefits are possible with new and developing transportation technologies.

In August 2023, the Michigan Department of Transportation intends to send a delegation to ITS Australia, and MEDC is collaborating with ITS Australia on the possibility of holding a virtual session in advance of the event.

First Meeting of Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

by orionontv | May 24, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 23, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Kicks Off First Meeting of Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II kicked off the first meeting of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council, which will inform Michigan’s juvenile justice reform efforts through the lived experiences of those who were impacted by the system. The Advisory Council was established within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) after a unanimous recommendation from the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform.

“We are committed to centering the lived experiences of those who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system as we address complex challenges faced by thousands of young Michiganders each year,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The individuals on this council can help shine a light on where improvements must be made, as we work to better serve young Michiganders and lead the nation on justice issues.”

“Our goal is a juvenile justice system that is more effective, more transparent, more consistent, and more data driven, where decision-making is evidence-based and laser-focused on positive outcomes for every youth,” said Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement. “This advisory group, and especially the members who have experienced the system, will help policy makers better understand what works and what doesn’t, so that Michigan can achieve those goals and make a positive difference in the lives of young people statewide.”

“By sharing their lived experiences with us, our advisory council members will give us an irreplaceable perspective to inform our juvenile justice reform efforts,” said Suzanna Shkreli, who was named MDHHS’ Director of Juvenile Justice Reform in March. “Under Director Elizabeth Hertel’s leadership, MDHHS is tackling the systemic and persistent issues within the juvenile justice system to ensure that youth have the support, resources, and opportunity to safely return to their communities and thrive.”

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Council was established to work to improve the juvenile justice system through review of and changes to department policy and practices; provide support to prior and current juvenile justice youth, adults, and their families; and to share their experiences and suggestions for how the system can be improved. Initial focuses will include job training and skill development, consultation and implementation of juvenile justice policy, and improvements to residential facilities. Council members will serve two-year terms.

Advisory Committee Members

Mr. Michael Davis-Thomas

Ms. Pura Strong

Ms. Sandra Medina

Ms. Neveah Fisher

Mr. Antwon Jackson

The Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform 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 Justice Center. To learn more about the recommendations, please visit https://michigancommitteeonjuvenilejustice.com/jj-reform-task-force/.

Gov. Whitmer Sends Letter to Legislative Leaders

by orionontv | May 22, 2023 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Sends Letter to Legislative Leaders Praising Collaboration, Urging Continued Focus on Economic Growth

After $1 billion tax cut for seniors and working families, historically low unemployment, thousands of manufacturing jobs coming home, state must keep foot on accelerator

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Speaker Joe Tate celebrating the state’s strong growth, $1 billion tax cut for seniors and working families, economic development work, and record investments in housing, community revitalization, and more. She urged them to keep moving forward with the state’s successful economic strategy as they write and pass a budget.

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear Legislative Leaders: 

Our economic strategy is working.

Last Friday, the May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference shared that revenues are higher than projected in January. Corporate tax revenues, in particular, are up significantly. Last Thursday, we learned that Michigan’s unemployment rate is 3.8%, comparable to the lowest levels we have seen only two other times since the 1970s. Our labor force participation rate is up. We delivered a $1 billion tax cut for seniors and working families. We made record, bipartisan investments to build thousands of housing units and revitalize communities, making our cities and towns more attractive places to live and work. Soon, we will deliver another balanced budget that lowers costs on many kitchen-table priorities: pre-K, school meals, child care, health care, higher education, and energy. 

All this progress has been powered by our economic development efforts which have helped us secure thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs and brought home critical supply chains of cars, chips, and clean energy. As I said in my state of the state earlier this year, for too long we were fighting with one hand tied behind our back. Now, we are competing with anyone and everyone to bring the next generation of manufacturing home to Michigan. 

Just a few weeks ago, we saw a tangible example of this strategy in effect. We won a $400 million investment from Nel Hydrogen, an international clean energy leader, to build a gigafactory in Michigan. They specifically cited our burgeoning ecosystem of advanced manufacturing and strong talent network as reasons for investing in Michigan to create more than 500 jobs in Southeast Michigan. The more projects we land, the more companies will want to be a part of what we are building—a state with a strong manufacturing economy offering a great quality of life at a good cost of living. 

Our hard work is paying off. Together, we have powered record business growth, built one of the strongest labor markets in half a century, cut taxes for seniors and working families, and breathed new life into every region of Michigan. But we cannot let up. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and continue our economic development efforts, while simultaneously lowering costs and delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families.  

Let’s keep getting it done for the Michiganders we serve and the state we love.  

Sincerely, 

Gretchen Whitmer 

Governor 

Honoring Student Artists in the 7th District

by Becky Andrus | May 22, 2023 | Regional News

Hi there,

Last week was one of our favorite events of the year: the reception and awards ceremony for the Congressional High School Art Competition. Every spring, we solicit entries from students who either live or attend high school in the district. They are able to submit paintings, drawings, photography, even digital art, and it’s judged by a panel of professional artists and art educators who decide the top five.

This year, we received entries from 63 students at 19 different high schools across the 7th District, and the judges really had their work cut out for them! All the artwork was on display at MSUFCU headquarters, where families, friends, teachers, and community members were able to stroll through and appreciate how talented these student artists are.

After evaluating the record number of entries, this year’s judges selected “Homestyle,” by Okemos High School student Emma Li, as the winning piece. The oil painting depicts Emma’s grandfather cooking in his kitchen, as seen through the doorway of the home.

The judges and Congresswoman Slotkin were struck by the attention to detail and maturity of execution in this piece, remarking that it was reminiscent of classical works. Li, a sophomore at Okemos High School, will attend a national reception this summer in Washington, D.C. along with all of the 2023 winning artists from across the country, and her piece will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year.

Congresswoman Slotkin said she can’t wait to see Emma’s artwork on display, and offered her thanks and praise to all of the students who shared a piece of themselves through their artwork and this competition.

The judges also selected several honorable mention pieces. The second place piece, “The Lute,” by Hartland High School student Breanna Zaborowksi, will be showcased in the Congresswoman’s Washington, D.C. office, while the third place piece, “Friendship” by Brighton High School student Caitlyn McKenzie, will hang in her Lansing district office. The pieces selected as 4th and 5th place will hang in the visitors’ area of her district office. The 4th place piece is “Growth” by Janelle Ostrowski of Lansing Catholic High School, and the 5th place piece is “Time Out” by Seraphim Rose Prince from Everett High School in Lansing.

This year, the Congresswoman also awarded a special prize called the “Spirit of the 7th District,” and selected Lilliana Collins of Holt High School as the inaugural winner. Lilliana’s comic strip depicted the impact of the February 2023 mass shooting at Michigan State University, which her brother attends.

Clockwise from top left: Breanna Zaborowski (2nd place, “The Lute”), Caitlyn McKenzie (artist not pictured, 3rd place “Friendship”), Janelle Ostrowski (4th place, “Growth”), Seraphim Rose Prince (5th place, “Time Out), Lilliana Collins (Spirit of the 7th District, “Spartan Strong”)

The Congressional Art Competition has been in existence since 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of young people living in their districts. To date, nearly 700,000 students have participated in the competition.

If you have an artist in your house, we hope they’ll consider entering next year! Look for information here and on our website in early spring 2024. And if technology is more your speed, there’s always the Congressional App Challenge, which will be launching soon.

– Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin

How the World Can Invest in a Green Future That Works

by orionontv | May 22, 2023 | Regional News

How the World Can Invest in a Green Future That Works

By Llewellyn King

Adam Smith, the great Scottish economist and moral philosopher, didn’t have to confront the environmental crisis, the healthcare delivery challenge or any of today’s issues. But his economic theory and moral philosophy — his unseen hand — are as pertinent today as they were in his lifetime.

Notably, Smith believed market forces were a force for good and a force for simply getting things done, acting.

A cardinal virtue of the market at work is discipline. Respect for the bottom line works wonders in producing discipline and results, even in the green economy that places a premium on sustainability.

And it is why Pegasus Capital Advisors, the fast-growing, impact investment firm, is having so much success in Africa, the Caribbean and South America, and Southeast Asia. In all, Pegasus is exploring investments in more than 40 countries.

An investment by Pegasus, under its ebullient founder, chairman and CEO Craig Cogut, must make money and meet other strict criteria. It must help — and maybe save — the local environment. It must benefit local people with employment at decent wages. And it must have a long future of social and economic benefit.

And Pegasus always looks for a strong local partner.

In Africa, Cogut told me, the growing of sustainable crops should be wedded to cold storage and processing, which should be local. He has invested in a marketer of fonio, an African “supergrain.”

“Agriculture and fishing are important sources of food in the global south, but they get shipped out and they need to stay local,” Cogut said.

“In Ecuador, we’re focused on sustainable fishing and shrimp farming,” he said, adding, “Shrimp is an amazing source of protein, but you have to do it in an environmentally correct way.”

Cogut has two passions, and they are where he directs investments: the environment, and health and wellness.

A Harvard-trained lawyer, Cogut took his first job with a law firm in Los Angeles. He became an environmentalist while living there and visiting the nearby national parks frequently. To this day, watching birds while hiking on Audubon Society trails in Connecticut, where he lives, is his passion.

He learned the art of big deals while working with the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert during its heyday. When it folded in 1990, Cogut became one of the founding partners of Apollo Advisors, the wildly successful private equity firm. After leaving Apollo in 1996, he founded Pegasus, the private equity firm that is making a difference.

A Pegasus success is Six Senses, which manages eco hotels and resorts with sensitivity to the environment. Pegasus sold Six Senses to IHG in 2019 and is currently partnering with IHG to develop new Six Senses resorts, including an eco-hotel on a Galapagos Island.

“We have been working with the Ecuadorian national park system to replicate what was there before Darwin’s time,” Cogut said.

Another previous Pegasus investment has restored a biodiesel plant in Lima, Peru. This plant, which has been sold, provides diesel fuel, produced from food waste and agricultural waste. “It is now helping the Peruvian government reach its environmental goals,” he said.

Off the coast of Nigeria, Cogut was appalled by natural gas flaring, done in association with oil production. He personally invested in a company to capture the gas and convert it to liquefied natural gas, which is now used to displace diesel in electricity generation — much better for human health and the environment.

After his original investment, a large African infrastructure investor has become the majority owner. This is Cogut’s win-win, where sustainability and commerce come together.

I had a disagreement over how to help Africa’s economy with Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, shortly before he became prime minister. He was trying to raise $50 billion for Africa. I asked Brown how it would be invested so that it would achieve real, positive results. He said, rather unconvincingly, “We’ll give it to the right people.”

If that encounter had taken place today, I would have been able to say, “Call Pegasus. Craig Cogut is the man who can help you.”
On Twitter: @llewellynking2
Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of “White House Chronicle” on PBS.

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