But Whitmer has said that compliance would improve if it had the backing of Republican lawmakers. “This month and next month, they’re going to be tough” in regards to COVID-19, Whitmer said. Where We Stand With COVID-19. Below is the most recent data healthcare experts across the state have compiled. Michigan Legislature working on six more COVID-19 pandemic bills, Republicans plan more help for hospitals, first responders and frontline workers this month, Walmart in Grand Blanc closing Monday afternoon for 36-hour deep cleaning, Tenacity Brewing, 4 other restaurants lose liquor licenses temporarily for COVID-19 violations, Investigators say child falls through ice, drowns in Isabella County, Woman critically injured in crash outside Flint’s General Motors factory, Holly man facing torture, child abuse charges after 3-year-old’s death, Steady decline in Michigan’s COVID-19 statistics continues with smallest increase in 2 months, Marijuana grower and processor planning large facility in Bay City, Flint water crisis criminal investigation nears end, charges possible early next year, Meijer joins national effort to get rid of single-use plastic bags. Gretchen Whitmer blasted the Legislature for spending more time dealing with members who contract COVID and shutting down sessions than anything else. But I can't send it to myself. Coronavirus mitigation implemented in mid-November are working to bend the curve, Michigan Gov. “We know this virus is hurting businesses. Gretchen Whitmer wants the state Legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits as residents continue to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Michigan Gov. by: Rick Albin. Gov. To The Point: Peter Meijer prepares to take office Video. But, she said, lawmakers should make that change permanent. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Michigan and the United States, and with the Thanksgiving holiday over, experts are worried cases are going to surge even more.Soon, the state legislature is going to be back in session for the final few weeks of the year and the question on everybody’s mind right now is, will they have some sort of a comprehensive strategy or plan to combat the COVID … But if it’s not done this week, it’s unlikely anything will happen until January.”, Whitmer said she reached out to legislative leaders three weeks ago and again yesterday. We’ve been trying to get them to do that, and there is the possibility to get done. There are people out who have spent a lifetime building up their small businesses and are now hanging on by a thread. The Michigan Constitution gives the committee the power to suspend rules and regulations, such as new COVID-19 orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a Dec. 10 COVID-19 update. “Over the next three weeks, we will continue to take action to provide relief for people directly impacted by the pandemic and meet the ever-changing needs of hospitals, first responders and other frontline workers,” he said. “In the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,” she said. It is updated Monday - Saturday. Michigan Legislature looks to create child abusers registry (WJHG) By Associated Press. It's my fervent hope that they do that before they take a break," Whitmer said. But when it comes to funding, it’s on the Legislature to take some action as well. LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - The coronavirus pandemic remains front and center as the Michigan Legislature enters the final weeks of its current term. Michigan Passes New COVID-19 Legislation On October 14, 2020, the Michigan Legislature approved more than a dozen bills related to COVID-19. The governor and legislative sources say the call focused largely on a plan to provide relief to businesses and individuals who’ve felt the economic impact. LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State House and Senate office buildings will all be closed Monday during the meeting of the Electoral College due to security concerns, an official said Monday. Copyright 2020 WJRT. Another Michigan lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus By DAVID EGGERT December 1, 2020 GMT LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State Rep. John Chirkun said Monday he had tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming at least the 10th member of the Legislature to be infected since the pandemic hit Michigan more … Whitmer sent a letter to the Michigan Legislature asking for their help in passing a $100 million COVID-19 relief plan. All of these things are reasons to feel very optimistic about 2021.”, Trucks carrying Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine depart Michigan facility for distribution, 4 studies Michigan used to explain COVID-19 spread in restaurants, Children’s social and emotional learning another victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor is also calling on legislation to provide some relief. “In that time, unfortunately the legislature has only been in session for six days, and not taking action on these measures cannot afford to wait any longer.”. All rights reserved (About Us). LANSING, Mich. -- Today, after the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature refused to extend the emergency and disaster declaration that was set to expire at midnight tonight, Governor Gretchen Whitmer took swift action by signing three new executive orders to continue fighting COVID-19 and save lives. And since the federal government hasn’t been able to pass a bipartisan bill to help our small business owners, here in Michigan, we’ve got to step up and take action.”. That “extension shouldn’t be used as a bargaining chip for other priorities,” Whitmer said. “What we’re doing is working,” Whitmer said, pointing to a decline in new cases, hospitalizations and the positivity rate on coronavirus positivity tests. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. Storm Team 8 Forecast - 6 pm 121920 Video. “Vaccines will become more available,” she said. Residents and staff in skilled nursing facilities should start getting vaccinated by the end of the month, Khaldun said. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Michigan and the United States, and with the Thanksgiving holiday over, experts are worried cases are going to surge even more. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan House has canceled voting sessions scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday after a staffer tested positive for the coronavirus, complicating the Legislature’s final days of business in the two-year term. Whitmer said there is reason to be optimistic that the end is in sight in regards to the pandemic. All rights reserved. Khaldun said that MDHHS is unveiling a statewide dashboard to show which health-care providers have the vaccine and how many are being vaccinated. “The need is acute and it’s right now,” she said. Whitmer asks Michigan legislature for $100M in COVID-19 relief Video. Republicans leaders have not ruled out a stimulus package, but they have rejected calls for a mask mandate and there are no bipartisan discussions under way to permanently change the unemployment benefit period. 11,461. But it’s all very tenuous and we’ve got to keep taking this very seriously.”. “We need to take some action now, and I will continue working toward helping these businesses, everywhere that I can take action unilaterally. “Eventually, depending on the supply from the federal government, we will start vaccinating other essential workers, and those who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness. It's on the Legislature to get it done. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature’s Republican and Democratic leaders spoke again Tuesday about year-end priorities. Michigan Gov. Please support high-quality journalism. The governor said she’s pressing for action on three priorities: $100 million in COVID relief that would include aid for small businesses; a permanent extension of unemployment benefits to 26 weeks, and a mask mandate that has bipartisan support. The state legislature has worked to replace Whitmer's orders with signed bills since her emergency powers were stripped earlier in October. Gov. On the mask mandate, masks already are required by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for indoor public spaces. LANSING — At least 12 state lawmakers and 37 staffers have contracted COVID-19 since March, according to Republican leaders in the Michigan Legislature who have resisted Democratic calls to mandate mask use and allow remote voting at the Capitol. LANSING, MI - Early in the pandemic, Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit, was the first state lawmaker to test positive for COVID-19 on March 26. “It’s a very scary moment for a lot of people,” Whitmer said in a press briefing Monday, Dec. 15. “The weather will get warmer. Republican State Rep. Ben Frederick of Owosso is sponsoring another bill allowing medication aides to dispense medicine with supervision in nursing homes. Michigan’s current legislative session ends on Dec. 31 and the 101st Michigan Legislature will be seated on Jan. 1 for the next two-year term. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Total Confirmed Cases. Gretchen Whitmer is asking the Michigan legislature to pass a several measures, including a $100 million COVID-19 relief bill. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). DETROIT – Michigan Gov. ... (COVID-19) Michigan Corovirus task force on racial disparities Department of Health and … Whitmer praised state lawmakers for extending unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks through March 2021. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 458,852. Dashboard: Michigan coronavirus testing numbers, trends, COVID-19 data MIOSHA is a government agency that regulates workplace safety and last week cited nine Michigan businesses with COVID-19 "general duty" infractions, alleging the companies failed to provide a workplace free from known hazards that … Gretchen Whitmer said today, but the GOP-led Michigan Legislature needs to immediately step up and approve a statewide mask mandate as well as economic relief for those impacted by the pandemic. The $100 million in COVID relief would be a “target stimulus plan,” she said. Subscribe to MLive.com. The Michigan Legislature Website is a free service of the Legislative Internet Technology Team in cooperation with the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate. Coronavirus mitigation implemented in mid-November are working to bend the curve, Michigan Gov. LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - The coronavirus pandemic remains front and center as the Michigan Legislature enters the final weeks of its current term. While health-care workers are now getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Whitmer said “it will take some time” before the vaccine is available to the general public. She referred a reporter back to the Legislature. Published: Dec. 13, ... New online tool lets Michigan residents gauge their COVID-19 risk. “And that’s why I’m hopeful that the legislature will take action. And we hope to be able to offer the vaccine to the general public by late spring.”. But Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner said the MSP did not make the decision to close the office buildings. Republican State Rep. Matt Sheppard of Temperance said the Legislature plans to tackle a number of other COVID-19 priorities before the end of 2020. Bills introduced in the current term that are not approved do not carry over into the next term. “But literally every single month of 2021 is likely to be better than the preceding month. In Michigan, the average turnaround time in the last two weeks for coronavirus test results is a little less than three days, according to state data. After the Michigan Supreme Court's (the "MSC") ruling against the Governor on October 2, 2020, the Governor and the Legislature have been engaged in negotiations. We’ll have an administration that is really focused on a national strategy room. LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Time was running out for the Michigan legislature to approve a COVID-19 relief package before the end of the term. Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature on Oct. 14 voted to keep intact longer-lasting unemployment benefits and other coronavirus-related orders issued by Democratic Gov. February will be better than January, March will be better than February. The Republican-led State House was considering six bills on Wednesday related to Michigan’s COVID-19 response plans. "If the Rudy Giuliani hearing wasn’t disaster enough, now he has exposed a significant portion of the legislature to Covid," Hertel also tweeted. (Courtesy Michigan Governor's Office). The State of Michigan is working around the clock to test and treat COVID-19 patients. Also, a plan to distribute COVID-19 … “We’re doing better than a lot of states. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File) Whitmer asks Michigan legislature for $100M in COVID-19 relief Coronavirus. Surveys show the mandate is backed by a majority of Michigan residents, “and we know that wearing a mask remains the single best tool we have right now in combating COVID,” Whitmer said. April will be better than March. Whitmer seeks $400M in COVID spending in Legislature Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan. Michigan legislative leaders announced Tuesday they will be returning to session early following the Michigan Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Gov. Latest Data . Total COVID-19 Deaths. Posted: Nov 30, 2020 / 01:53 PM EST / Updated: Nov 30, 2020 / 06:35 PM EST. Republican State Rep. Mary Whiteford of St. Clair County expects her bill allowing nurses from other states to work in Michigan will come up for discussion soon. Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical officer, also used the press conference to talk about their excitement about distribution of coronavirus vaccines, which began this week, and how the MDHHS mitigation strategies put into place in mid-November seems to have held off a post-Thanksgiving surge of coronavirus. Data Map. To create child abusers registry ( WJHG ) by Associated Press providers have the vaccine to the general by... Michigan is working around the clock to test and treat COVID-19 patients gauge their COVID-19 risk to Whitmer. 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