by orionontv | Apr 18, 2023 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to State Transportation Commission
Ms. Brown and Ms. Welburn are the first women of color in state history appointed to the commission
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Ms. Rhonda Welburn and Ms. Rita Brown to the State Transportation Commission.
State Transportation Commission
Rhonda Welburn, of Detroit, is a retired member of Dickinson Wright, PLLC, where she began practicing of law in 1995. Her primary practice areas were public finance and municipal law, but she is also experienced in the areas of banking and financial services, real estate and education law. During her 25-year legal career, she was consistently ranked by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America®, Michigan Super Lawyers and recognized as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine. Before joining Dickinson Wright, Ms. Welburn had a distinguished 13-year career at General Motors, beginning her automotive career as a mathematician developing computer aided design technology and ultimately serving in a managerial position at GM’s financial staff.
Ms. Welburn serves on the board of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, and the DMC Foundation. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan. Ms. Welburn is appointed to represent Independents for a term commencing April 18, 2023 and expiring December 21, 2025. She replaces Todd Wyett, whose term has expired.
Rita Brown, of Birmingham, is a V.P. of Development, Innovation & Infrastructure at JMC Electrical Contractor, as well as being the CEO of Brown Construction Collective +. She is an outspoken advocate for increasing representation in her industry after her own experience and struggles to be given a fair shot as a working mom. She founded Project Accelerate, a seven-week intensive program to introduce women to the design and building trades industry. Her recruiting efforts have earned her several awards from National Association of Women in Construction, and in 2017 she was invited to discuss Project Accelerate at a White House policy briefing focused on expanding careers for women in the construction industry.
Ms. Brown holds an associate’s degree from Schoolcraft College and has earned professional certificates from Michigan State University and Dartmouth. Ms. Brown is appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing April 18, 2023 and expiring December 21, 2025. She replaces Stephen Adamini, whose term has expired.
The Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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by orionontv | Apr 13, 2023 | Regional News
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 12, 2023 |
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AG Nessel on Elder Abuse Task Force Recommendations, Guardianship Reforms in State Senate
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| LANSING – This week, legislation was formally introduced to reform the states guardianship laws, many of the included policies being remedies prescribed by Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Elder Abuse Task Force, after introduction by several state Senators.
“I am encouraged to see, and obviously supportive of, legislation to bring about the specific policy recommendations of the Elder Abuse Task Force,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “Many of these proposed changes to the state’s guardianship laws come directly from the incredible work of the Task Force, and we’ll be working with the legislature to enact those recommendations we see in these bills, as well as working to ensure the rest of the package reflects and respects the recommendations put forth by the experts.”
The specific recommendations of the Elder Abuse Task Force, proposed in Senate Bills 258 and 254, include:
- Requiring a judge to justify on the record why a family member who is willing to serve as legal guardian is not suitable;
- Eliminating a judge’s ability to preclude a challenge to the appointment of a guardianship/conservatorship for up to six months;
- Creating a requirement for guardians and conservators to be certified and require monthly check-ins of their protected persons;
- More thoroughly outlining guardian ad litem responsibilities;
- Establishing a clear asset/income threshold for appointment of a conservator;
- Improving the basic standards for medical testimony; and
- Requiring guardians to identify and list protected person’s specific sentimental items and provide a list to an interested person upon request.
Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sections – all working together to combat elder abuse. The more than 100 individuals on the Task Force are divided into seven committees working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives. Achievements include the adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form for investigations by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings. In addition to the vulnerable adult incident report and associated trainings, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was passed that ensures mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation and was part of the Task Force’s First Set of Initiatives.
More than 73,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.
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by orionontv | Apr 13, 2023 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Signs Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation to Keep Michigan Communities Safe
Establishes universal background checks for all firearm purchases, safe storage requirements
LANSING, Mich – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed commonsense gun violence prevention bills that will establish universal background checks for all firearm purchases and safe storage requirements. In January, Governor Whitmer proposed this legislation during her State of the State address and has worked with the Michigan Legislature, community groups, law enforcement, students and parents following February’s shooting at Michigan State University and the shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021 to get these commonsense measures that will reduce gun violence signed into law.
“Today, we are turning our pain into purpose and honoring those we have lost with commonsense gun violence prevention legislation supported by a majority of Michiganders,” said Governor Whitmer. “Universal background checks and safe storage are long-overdue steps we are proud to take today that will save lives by keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and domestic abusers and children in the home. I want to thank my partners in the legislature for getting this done, the advocates who fought so hard to make this happen, and every Michigander impacted by gun violence who shared their stories. We will keep working together to prevent mass shootings, reduce gun violence, and save lives.”
“Every gun death is preventable, yet so many Michiganders, including me, have lost people they love to the senseless tragedy of gun violence,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today, we are taking action on commonsense reforms supported by a majority of Michiganders. Universal background checks and safe storage laws will save lives and help keep families and kids safe at home, in the streets, at school, and at work. These bills build on our ongoing investments in public safety and Operation Safe Neighborhoods to create safer communities where everyone can thrive. Governor Whitmer and I are committed to building on this progress and working with anyone to prevent gun violence.”
Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 79, 80, 81, and 82 and House Bills 4138 and 4142.
“The prevalence of gun violence is exhausting and frustrating, and for a very long time it felt like there was no hope for progress. But the thousands of Michigan voices calling for change never gave up, and today – in our first hundred days of the new majority – that call for change results in new laws that will make our state safer,” Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said. “We hope that these first steps become a blueprint for other states that have yet to find their path forward on gun violence prevention. Today’s bill signing is proof that when you bring first responders, students, parents, teachers, safety experts, and community leaders together to find common ground, you can save lives and build the better, safer future that Michiganders deserve.”
“Protecting children is our top priority,” said Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “As elected officials, it is our responsibility to do what we can to help keep our communities safe from gun violence. Requiring guns be safely stored in homes where a minor is present and implementing background checks for the purchase of all firearms are simple reforms that just make sense. Owning a firearm is both a right and a responsibility and we must be sure we are doing all we can to help keep kids safe and to stop the illegal sale of guns.”
Senate Bill 79, sponsored by state Senator Bayer (D- West Bloomfield), will protect children by requiring an individual to keep a firearm being stored or left unattended on a premises unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is or is likely to be present on the premises and establish a range of penalties for a violation. The bill will also require the Department of Health and Human Services to inform the public of the penalties, publish lethal means counseling literature, and provide that literature to federally licensed firearms dealers and revise the wording of a notice that a federally licensed firearms dealer must post on the premises where firearms are sold.
“Finally, there is a tiny stitch to begin healing my heart, broken from the Oxford school shootings, the MSU school shootings, and every injury or death from accidental shootings of or by children. Finally, we are doing our job, passing legislation, taking our first steps to manage this out-of-control gun violence situation in Michigan,” said state Senator Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield). “I’m grateful for the work of my colleagues on this issue for years, for my team and the policy team who have worked so hard to get it done, and to the Governor and her team for making it possible for these to become law. Let’s celebrate, and then get back to work on the next step!”
Senate Bill 80, sponsored by state Senator McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) is the senator’s first public act. The legislation updates the state’s criminal code for safe storage of firearms for child access protection.
“I have devoted the bulk of my career to helping children and families thrive. We can’t thrive without feeling and being safe,” said state Senator McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). “That’s why overwhelming majorities in Michigan, including gun owners, support the action we’re taking. This is about protecting our children and preventing tragedies from upending our communities. I’m proud to stand against special interests and stand up for kids and families.”
“Over half of all gun owners don’t store and lock their guns, which means millions of young children live in homes with unlocked and loaded firearms,” said state Representative Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), chair of the Michigan Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus. “That’s why we’ve introduced bills that crate safe storage requirements for firearm owners with children in the home. By keeping guns properly stored, we can prevent even the potential misuse of those weapons by children. We have a chance and a responsibility to change the culture around keeping guns responsibly and securely stored. I have high hopes that these bills will not only encourage responsible gun ownership but that they will save Michiganders’ lives.”
Senate Bills 81 and 82, sponsored by state Senators Irwin and Hertel, lower the costs of firearm safety devices to ensure owners can safely store their guns, keeping them away from children and out of the hands of criminals.
“Firearm fatalities are currently the leading cause of death for young people in our nation,” said state Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St.Clair Shores). “As a father, I am proud of the steps our state is taking today to change that and build a safer future for all.”
House Bills 4138 and 4142, sponsored by state Representatives Churches and Carter, protect Michigan communities by closing loopholes in the law and expanding universal background checks to all firearms.
“It is our collective responsibility to keep students safe,” said state Representative Jaime Churches (D-Grosse Ile). “This legislation provides a foundation to help build a safer Michigan – so no student, no worshiper, no law enforcement officer – has to fear for their safety. As state representative for Downriver, I will advocate for reasonable, common-sense policies to protect our communities from gun violence.”
“Michigan has not been spared from our nation’s plague of gun violence,” said state Representative Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac). “For years now, the legislature in Michigan has been paralyzed to act. No more. I am proud to have the governor sign my bill as a part of the universal background check package and to be able to share in this great moment for our state.”
Quotes from Community Leaders
“This is a great day for Michiganders. The gun safety bills signed into law today will undoubtedly save lives and make the state of Michigan a safer place to live. No one should have to go about their lives and fear gun violence,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “Today’s bill signing was a major step forward to stopping gun violence in Michigan. We thank Governor Whitmer, Speaker Tate, Leader Brinks, and all legislators who supported these important bills and the advocates who made this bill a reality.”
“This legislation is a commonsense approach to keeping children and communities safe,” said Marquette County Sherriff Gregory Zyburt. ” These bills will ensure those that do not qualify to purchase guns, don’t. I’m thankful to work alongside legislators to prevent gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who intend to harm others.”
“Today we are proud of our Governor and State Legislators for passing meaningful gun legislation that will help protect our community, and make sure that we are being responsible when it pertains to gun ownership in the State Of Michigan,” said Rev. Richard White III, President of the Council of Baptist Pastors Detroit & Vicinity. “This legislation is so important because we must be concerned about the most vulnerable in our society. It is our duty to make sure that we are working together and doing what is right to make our world a better place! The Bible reminds us in Micah 6:8 ‘Do Justice Love Mercy and walk Humbly with God’.”
“For years citizens from across the country have been crying out for common sense gun laws mostly to no avail,” said Pastor Barry Randolph, Church of the Messiah Detroit. “Michigan will now lead the way with the signing of this bill. Michigan residents can now rest assured knowing that steps have been made to make our communities much safer! Parents, students, teachers, seniors, clergy, activists, and all Michigan residents now know that their pleas and cries for common sense gun laws have heard, validated, and acted upon!”
“Common sense legislation like this in addition to prayer is key to reducing gun violence, whether accidental or purposeful in our communities,” said Bishop Avery D. Burrel, Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church, Muskegon Heights. “Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature have shown they are ready to lead and partner on keeping our communities safe.”
“Today we’re honoring the lives stolen by gun violence with action that will help save lives and prevent senseless tragedies,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, senior vice president for movement building for Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of Governor Whitmer, our gun sense champion lawmakers in the House and the Senate, and the grassroots gun violence prevention movement – including Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers and gun violence survivors – universal background checks and secure storage will now be the law of the land in Michigan.”
“Today, Michigan is showing the nation what it looks like to lead on gun safety,” said Celeste Kanpurwala, chapter leader for the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action. “These laws will save lives, and we couldn’t be more proud to work hand in hand with the gun sense champions in the statehouse and the governor’s mansion to get this legislation across the finish line. Today, we celebrate this life-saving progress and recommit ourselves to the work to make Michigan safe for all of us.”
“The tragic mass shooting at Michigan State University was a call to action, and Governor Whitmer and Michigan legislators answered it by championing common-sense laws to keep all Michiganders safe from gun violence,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Now, finally, every gun buyer in Michigan will be required to pass a background check, and every gun owner will be required to safely store their weapon — two common-sense measures that have broad public support, including among gun owners themselves.”
“Today, Michigan lawmakers proved that we can in fact take meaningful action to address gun violence, and we are now one step closer to freeing an entire generation from the constant fear of being shot. These laws will go a long way in protecting the children of Michigan, their families, and their communities,” said Kris Brown, president of Brady United Against Gun Violence. “Brady applauds Gov. Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Brinks, Majority Floor Leader Singh, Chairwoman Chang, Speaker Tate, Chairs Breen and Brabec and Democratic members of the state legislature for their leadership and commitment to addressing gun violence in Michigan.”
by orionontv | Apr 12, 2023 | Regional News
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Friend ––
Hospitals and health care systems in Michigan and across the nation have been impacted by drug shortages, and that problem is only continuing to grow. No one should have to worry about accessing critical drugs like cancer treatments or common over-the-counter medications, yet shortages are forcing health care providers to substitute less-effective medications or limit doses to treat patients.
Drug shortages have real life impacts on patients and health care providers, and Congress must do more to address the problem. We need to encourage more domestic and diversified production of important medications where possible, expand the number of suppliers of critical materials for drugs, and ensure the federal government has up-to-date information that will help them prevent shortages before they reach a crisis point.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I recently released a report that shows how these shortages affect patients’ health and safety and present a significant national security risk. I also held a hearing with health care and supply chain experts to discuss my report and highlight how drug shortages are impacting the health and safety of our communities.
Click here to watch more.
My report looked into the causes of drug shortages and what we can do to address this problem. Here are some of the report’s key findings and recommendations:
- Drug shortages can lead to treatment delays, medication errors, and have life threatening impacts on patients.
- Nearly 90% of FDA-registered manufacturing sites that produce ingredients to make generic drugs are located overseas. If the U.S. is unable to get the ingredients and raw materials needed to make these medications from these countries it could result in catastrophic consequences for patients.
- We must invest in domestic advanced manufacturing capabilities for generic drug products that are regularly in shortage to reduce our dependence on foreign and geographically concentrated sources and suppliers.
- The federal government and drug companies lack full visibility into where key ingredients for generic drugs are coming from. We must take steps to collect data on the supply chain to ensure agencies are not in the dark and can predict and work to prevent shortages.
Click here to read the full report.
My report and hearing showed that while drug shortages impact every part of our health care system – they tend to hit smaller, rural hospitals and health care providers the hardest because they often lack the resources needed to monitor and find alternative drug supplies. Shortages are made worse by our over-dependence on foreign suppliers, mostly in India and China, for the key raw materials that make many medications, as well as the limited number and clustered locations of facilities both in the U.S. and overseas that produce critical drugs. If one of these countries stops exporting a certain drug or a facility closes, it could lead to devastating shortages.
I’ll continue working toward bipartisan solutions that will help us take action to address this threat and protect the health and safety of Michiganders.
Thanks for reading,
Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan
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by orionontv | Apr 10, 2023 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Fallen U.S Army Solider Braden Robert Peltier
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and across all public buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, April 11 to honor and remember Bay City native and fallen U.S Army solider Braden Robert Peltier, who passed away at the age of 23 last week. The flag lowering will coincide with the date of Peltier’s funeral.
“Braden represented the best of our state as he served our nation in uniform,” said Governor Whitmer. “A Bay City native and proud husband, dad, brother, and son, Braden leaves behind a legacy of service that we should all strive to live up to. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.”
Braden Robert Peltier was born in Bay City in 1999. Peltier loved spending time with his family and outdoors. Brandon was an outdoorsman, he spent time fishing, camping, hunting, trail riding and working out. Peltier leaves behind his wife, Pagge Peltier, and son, Caycee Peltier.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of fallen U.S Army solider Braden Robert Peltier 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 Wednesday, April 12.
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