Restart: State of Michigan

President Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic-aid package, the American Rescue Plan, will be signed into law Friday after being approved by Congress. The plan has many provisions that focus aid to state and local governments, small businesses, unemployed Americans, and sends stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans. What does this bill mean for the broader economy and Michigan? The Chamber breaks down some highlights.

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced new guidance for schools today to keep students, staff and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the in-person instruction that is crucial to learning and development.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-193 creating the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to help raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, educate the people of this state, and help protect the health and safety of all Michigan residents.

As clinical trials continue for the COVID-19 vaccine, Operation Warp Speed (OWS) is working to develop methods of delivering the vaccine to more than 300 million Americans. Marion Whicker, who normally serves as an executive director with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) – is on loan to Operation Warp Speed where she is applying her expertise in moving military machinery to delivering COVID-19 vaccines across the nation.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today announced that $65 million in CARES Act funding will be allocated to school districts, higher education institutions, and other education entities that have been impacted most by COVID-19. The funding, coming from the Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund (GEER), will be directed to the states economically disadvantaged districts to address issues like the technological barriers to remote learning faced by students and educators in the community. 

Yesterday, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) submitted an application to the United States Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for funding that would provide an additional $300 per week payment to Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-166 that reinstates protections for employees in the State of Michigan.  Under the Order, the governor prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the responsible choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick. 

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new executive order that extends the governor’s emergency and disaster declaration until September 4, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. 

A new digital hub offers online learning opportunities and other training resources for Michigan residents looking to return to work or learn new skills.

Today, during the State of Michigan’s COVID-19 briefing, Gov. Whitmer invited Chamber president and CEO Sandy K. Baruah to join her to stress the need for state and local government aid out of the next federal stimulus package.

Businesses may not assume that a customer without a mask cannot medically tolerate a face covering. The business can, however, accept the customer’s explanation if offered, according to a new executive order from the Governor today.

Today, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. (DEGC) will open a new grant application that has $15.5 million available for Wayne County business owners, with $7.25 million to be granted within the City of Detroit borders.

Earlier this week, Oakland County launched the $32 million Oakland Together Small Business Recovery Grant fund.

As COVID-19 cases increase in every region of the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stressed the importance of “masking up” to mitigate the spread and keep the state on track to reopen preK-12 schools to students in the fall.

What will it cost to keep students safe? What funding cuts are coming? Are snow days dead? The Governor’s “Return to Learn” Advisory Council is expected to drop its plan for reopening schools on June 30, which also marks the final day of the fiscal year for schools. Here’s what to consider.

Today, the Michigan House and Senate released a high-level overview of what their “Return to Learn” plan would look like, a week before Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Return to Learning Advisory Council is expected to release its own version.

The Michigan House of Representatives and Senate unanimously passed an $880.1 million supplemental spending bill of federal dollars for various COVID-19-related items.

As employers slowly transition employees back to the office and back to work onsite, the State of Michigan is working to provide businesses with workplace safety recommendations.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addressed the State of Michigan to provide an update on the state’s COVID-19 cases and strategy for reopening.

Michigan has started to reopen the state in the past couple of weeks since COVID-19 cases have decreased and the curve has flattened. As businesses start to reopen there are key guidelines to keep employees and customers safe that will also help avoid a second wave. Start with the below resources as your business continues to return to a regular in-person schedule. 

Gov. Whitmer signed House Bill 5766 into law. This important update to Michigan’s Property Tax Appeal deadline for commercial industrial taxpayers is now extended one more month to Aug. 31. Previously, EO 2020-87 extended this deadline to July 31.

Like several other states, Michigan is considering easing liquor laws to allow patrons to take cocktails and alcoholic beverages throughout special social districts outside restaurants and bars. It’s all part of an effort to help restaurants and bars do business while adhering to reduced capacities and social distancing measures in place under the MI Safe Start Plan.

The State of Michigan, in partnership with the Connected Nation Michigan, released a statewide Wi-Fi hotspot map today to assist residents who currently lack internet access at home.

Michigan continues to reopen as hospitalizations reached an all-time low this week dropping 82% compared to the mid-April peak. Today, Gov. Whitmer announced that on Monday, June 15, personal services including hair, massages, and nails will reopen statewide.

Chamber Vice President of Government Relations Brad Williams spoke with Natalie Chmiko, vice president of Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and International Trade for MEDC in a Tele-Town Hall on the free PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform.

At the Detroit Regional Chamber, we believe that nothing would be more economically damaging than a second economic shutdown due to COVID-19.

With the Governor lifting the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order this week, Michigan is moving to Phase Four of the Michigan Safe Start Plan.  What does it all mean?

Today, the Governor announced that she will rescind the “Safer at Home” Executive Order, moving the state into phase four of the MI Safe Start Plan — the “Improving” phase. 

To help reopening businesses safely reengage in the economy, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity launched the MI Symptoms Web Application as a cost-free way for employers to comply with Executive Order 2020-97 and implement a COVID-19 symptoms screening questionnaire for employees.

Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a number of Executive Orders that seek to help the state move forward post COVID-19.

Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a number of Executive Orders that relaxed some of the “Stay at Home” orders. She updated Executive Order 2020-100 to extend Michigan’s “Safer at Home” order until June 12, 2020.

Today, Gov.Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-96 to reopen retail businesses and auto dealerships by appointment statewide on Tuesday, May 26, as part of her MI Safe Start plan.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an order allowing for the reopening, in two regions, of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating.

Friday’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference in Lansing will provide one of the first substantive glimpses into the state’s fiscal outlook as the economy re-opens in phases, and will set the backdrop for budget negotiations amid historic unemployment.

The executive order will allow the May 7 resumption of some types of work that present a very low risk of infection, including construction, real-estate activities, and work that is traditionally and primarily performed outdoors.