Increasing Business Opportunity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

Increasing Business Opportunity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

by | Feb 6, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

 Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive Increasing Business Opportunity for Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive to improve the State of Michigan’s contracting process by increasing business opportunities for Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (GDBEs) to contract with the state.

 

“When the state acts inclusively, all Michiganders benefit,” said Governor Whitmer. “Under this directive state procurement will be more accessible to more Michigan businesses. As governor, I have worked tirelessly to ensure state dollars are spent efficiently, equitably and, where possible, stay in Michigan to benefit our communities. Expanding our pool of contractors, creates more opportunities for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses and creates a more competitive bidding process that helps ensure the state receives the most cost-effective, high-quality bids for goods and services.”

 

Under this executive directive, the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) must set a goal that 20% of total expenditures from state departments and agencies go to GDBEs beginning in Fiscal Year 2023-24. Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprises include Michigan firms owned and operated in underutilized and underserved areas like small towns and inner cities.

 

Today’s executive directive also requires the DTMB to improve data collection processes to better track demographic data of suppliers. Additionally, DTMB is directed to work with departments and agencies to improve public awareness of contracting opportunities with the State through improved outreach and technical assistance for potential applicants.

 

Governor Whitmer’s executive directive is authorized by Section 8, Article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, which places each principal department under the supervision of the governor.

 

Executive Directive 2023-1 is effective immediately.

 

Governor Whitmer speaking at podium

Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist speaking at podium

Governor Whitmer signing executive directive

Largest Tax Break for Working Families, Seniors

Largest Tax Break for Working Families, Seniors

by | Feb 6, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 6, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer, Democratic Leaders Roll Out Largest Tax Break for Working Families, Seniors in Decades

Lowering MI Costs plan rolls back retirement tax, quintuples Working Families Tax Credit, and delivers Inflation Relief Check to every taxpayers

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, and Speaker Joe Tate rolled out the Lowering MI Costs Plan, which will deliver the largest tax break to Michiganders in decades. The plan rolls back the retirement tax, boosts the Working Families Tax Credit, and delivers inflation relief checks to every taxpayer.

 

“The #1 concern for Michiganders right now is costs,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our Lowering MI Costs plan puts money back in people’s pockets by rolling back the retirement tax, quintupling the Working Families Tax Credit, and delivering inflation relief checks to every taxpayer. Getting this done will help people pay the bills and put food on the table as inflation impacts their monthly budgets. I am proud that we are hustling to get this done and deliver real, immediate relief to Michiganders.”

 

“House Democrats heard from Michiganders across our state that they want us to repeal the retirement tax,” said Speaker Joe Tate. “Their priorities are our priorities. With the passage of this plan, we are making good on our promise to the people of Michigan. Lowering MI Costs gives retirees back their hard-earned money, puts dollars into the hands of working families, and delivers much-needed relief from inflation for people across our state. This is meaningful relief at a time when Michiganders truly need it. I am proud of my colleagues in both chambers and the governor for her leadership to get this done.”

 

“This announcement is a tremendously exciting moment for Michigan,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. “It includes key promises that Democrats have been talking about in coffee shops and townhalls and at our neighbors’ doors for years. It reflects what we have been hearing from Michiganders and what we have been working to deliver: lowering costs, combating the pinch of inflation, and providing real, immediate relief for the people of our state.”

 

Governor Whitmer

Senate Majority Leader Brinks

Speaker Tate

 

Retirement Tax 

The plan phases out the retirement tax over four years and ultimately puts an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of 500,000 households. Lowering MI Costs will equalize the exemption on both public and private pensions.

 

Working Families Tax Credit 

The plan quintuples the Michigan Working Families Tax Credit match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 30%, up from 6%. It delivers an average combined tax refund of $3,150 to 700,000 families, directly impacting nearly one million kids—almost half the kids in Michigan. Lowering MI Costs makes this boost retroactive for tax year 2022, meaning families will get more money in their pockets this year.

 

Inflation Relief Checks 

The plan will deliver $180 inflation relief checks to every Michigan tax filer, providing immediate relief by putting money back in pockets. Ensures everyone receives some relief and builds on relief for working families and seniors.
Insulin Capped at $35/mo for Seniors

Insulin Capped at $35/mo for Seniors

by | Jan 30, 2023 | Regional News

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Hi there,

I have some great news for our seniors: thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law last August, the price of insulin for those on Medicare is now capped at $35/month.

This is an enormous win for Michigan’s seniors, one that has been years in the making. I’ve been talking about lowering the cost of prescription drugs throughout my time in Congress, and I am thrilled that Congress was finally able to supply this relief to the over 3 million Americans on Medicare that depend on insulin to survive.*

Getting this provision passed into law means that more than 66,000 seniors in Michigan will save hundreds of dollars on their insulin prescription every year.** According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the average Medicare enrollee in Michigan will save more than $400 every year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.**

And it doesn’t end there: more and more of the IRA’s drug provisions are set to kick in soon, like Medicare’s ability to negotiate with drug companies and use their buying power to secure lower prices, or capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 for Medicare enrollees.

These provisions are designed with one goal in mind: to chip away at the sky-high cost of prescription drugs, and we’re finally making that happen. 

– Rep. Elissa Slotkin

*CNBC, 1 in 5 insulin users on Medicare has ‘catastrophic’ drug spending, Yale finds. The Inflation Reduction Act may help; 2022

**Department of Health and Human Services, Insulin Affordability and the Inflation Reduction Act: Medicare Beneficiary Savings by State and Demographics; 2023
AG Helps to Save Residents $150 Million in Energy Costs

AG Helps to Save Residents $150 Million in Energy Costs

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 23, 2023

Media Contact:
AG Press

AG Nessel Helps to Save Michigan Residents $150 Million in Energy Costs

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel continues to advocate for reasonable utility rates for Michigan consumers by participating in Consumers Energy Company’s recent electric rate case before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) (MPSC Case No. U-21224). This resulted in a settlement agreement that reduces the Company’s final requested rate increase by over $150 million. The settlement was approved by the MPSC in an order issued January 19, 2023.

Consumers Energy filed its request seeking an annual increase in revenues of approximately $272 million with the MPSC in April 2022. Unopposed, the Company’s request would result in an overall average rate increase of 6.5% including a 6.8% percent increase in rates for residential ratepayers.

The Attorney General filed testimony that based on current rates, Consumers Energy should only receive a rate increase of approximately $123.8 million. She also proposed changes in how rates are distributed among customer classes to lessen the unfair burden on residential customers. After testimony was filed by the Attorney General and other parties, the Company increased it requested rate increase to approximately $293 million and after further review the Attorney General argued for a rate increase of only $134.1 million.

The settlement agreement provides for:

  • A rate increase of approximately 2.4% for residential ratepayers, or a total of $155 million, which provides Consumers Energy with sufficient revenues to provide its customers with safe and reliable electric service and to perform necessary repairs and upgrades to its infrastructure but at more reasonable rates than projected by the Company;
  • A $15 million voluntary credit to ratepayers over the next twelve months; and
  • A $10 million shareholder contribution to programs that provide bill paying assistance to low-income and other payment challenged customers.

It also provides for the inclusion of equity and environmental justice considerations in the Company’s decision making, approval of certain electric vehicle programs, and increased opportunities for the incorporation of distributive generation (such as, roof top solar) in Consumers’ service territory, among other things. This settlement is a continuation of the Attorney General’s efforts to seek and obtain significant rate relief for utility customers.

“I applaud the Michigan Public Service Commission and the parties in the case for taking these steps to save ratepayers money and help ensure residents don’t fall behind in these winter months,” said Nessel. “While we are seeing the cost of commodities rise across the nation, these programs to help low-income households and consumer protections are crucial.”

Since taking office, the Attorney General has saved Michigan consumers over $2 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. This settlement reaffirms her commitment to affordable energy for consumers.

Consumers Energy provides electricity to approximately 1.9 million customers throughout Michigan and natural gas to 1.8 million customers across the state.
Flags lowered After Mass Shooting in Monterey Park, California

Flags lowered After Mass Shooting in Monterey Park, California

by | Jan 23, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags After Mass Shooting in Monterey Park, California

 

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 be lowered to half-staff immediately on Monday, January 23 through sunset on Thursday, January 26 to honor and remember the victims of the shooting in Monterey Park, California.

 

“I’m heartbroken for the families and loved ones of the victims as we grieve this tragedy at a time when many celebrate the Lunar New Year with family,” said Governor Whitmer. “We must work together to prevent this senseless gun violence that claims the lives of too many Americans and upends the lives of countless others every day. We are holding the entire Monterey Park community in our hearts.”

 

On Saturday, a gunman opened fire at a dance studio in Monterey Park, California, killing 10 people and injuring 10 others.

 

The State of Michigan remembers the victims and stands in solidarity with residents of the State of California 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 Friday, January 27, 2023.
Lower Health Care Costs for Michiganders

Lower Health Care Costs for Michiganders

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Regional News

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Friend ––

No one should have to choose between getting the health care and prescription drugs they need and putting food on the table for their families.

There’s no question this dilemma is a reality too many Michiganders face. That’s why I joined with my Senate colleagues to pass into law the Inflation Reduction Act — and I want to make sure you, your family and friends know about several of the law’s provisions that went into effect January 1, 2023, which are lowering health care and prescription drug costs:

· Insulin now costs no more than $35 a month for seniors on Medicare.

· All vaccines approved under Medicare Part D are free.   

· Prescription drug rebates will go into effect for Medicare, requiring pharmaceutical companies to pay back the federal government if prices for critical prescription drugs covered through Medicare rise faster than inflation. This measure is aimed to lower costs for Medicare patients and discourage pharmaceutical companies from exploiting inflation to hike up their prices.

If you are a senior on Medicare, these new Inflation Reduction Act provisions will be automatically applied, and you do not need to take any action.

For more information about how the Inflation Reduction Act will cut health care costs for Michiganders, CLICK HERE.

Working to expand access to quality, affordable health care and lowering prescription drug prices are among my top priorities as your U.S. Senator –– and I’ll keep fighting to reduce costs.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan