May 14, 2021
Dear Friends,
It has been an incredibly busy week in the state legislature, as we began passing budgets for the upcoming fiscal year set to begin in October. Unfortunately, many of the budgets slashed critical funding for the people, places or things most affected by this terrible pandemic. They also lacked appropriate funding on other issues that we see up-and-coming, like teacher shortages or helping ensure a safe learning environment for our children.
We are in the early stages of this budget process, but I won’t stop fighting for you and what is most important for our district. You can read more about this issue in the “State Budget” section of this e-newsletter.
There have also been updates regarding the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine that I’ve included below.
If there is any way that I or my office could be of assistance to you, please let us know! You can call (517) 373-2417, or email SenRBayer@senate.michigan.gov.
Be well,
Rosemary Bayer
State Senator
12th District
IN THIS EDITION
- Vaccine Updates
- State Budget
- Legislative Update: Background Checks for All Guns
- Broadband Discount Available
- State Individual Income Tax Deadline is May 17
- May Recognized as Asian Pacific Islander Month
- Women’s Health Week
- Check Licenses Before Hiring for Home Projects
VACCINE UPDATES
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use among adolescents between 12 and 15 years of age.
Older teens, ages 16 and 17, have been allowed to get the Pfizer vaccine since it was authorized in December. The other two vaccines authorized for use, from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, have not been available to minors because studies are still underway.
This decision is huge in terms of bringing our state and our nation one step closer to normalcy. The more people we can get vaccinated, the closer we get to ending this tragic pandemic. Pharmacies will be the first provide the vaccine to younger teens, and pediatricians’ offices are expected to follow.
To find a vaccine site near you, visit www.vaccines.gov.
55% OF MICHIGANDERS VACCINATED, FIRST MILESTONE ACHIEVED
On Monday, May 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that 55% of Michiganders had received their first dose of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement marks the first milestone of the “MI Vacc to Normal” plan established by the governor.
As a result of reaching this milestone, in-person work can resume across all employment sectors on May 24.
The next phases of the MI Vacc to Normal plan are:
60% of Michiganders (4,858,150 residents), plus two weeks
- Increases indoor capacity at sports stadiums to 25%.
- Increases indoor capacity at conference centers/banquet halls/funeral homes to 25%.
- Increases capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50%.
- Lifts the curfew on restaurants and bars.
65% of Michiganders (5,262,996 residents), plus two weeks
- Lifts all indoor % capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties.
- Further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.
70% of Michiganders (5,667,842 residents), plus two weeks
- Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.
To learn more about the “MI Vacc to Normal Plan” and vaccine rollout across our state, visit michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine to view the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.
STATE BUDGET
We began the process of moving budgets for state departments this week, though, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, we are still somewhat early in the budget process. The state House will move their proposals in separate bills, then Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will come to a consensus with legislative leaders — and especially Republicans, who control both chambers — and a final budget will be passed from there.
To this point, though, Senate Republicans have slashed more than $700 million from what Governor Whitmer initially recommended for our state budget back in February — including cuts to:
- The Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which has been at the forefront of protecting employees from scrupulous employers during the pandemic.
- Funding for the Futures for Frontliners program, which the governor created to help people who have served us on the frontlines during the pandemic.
- Funding for Local First Responder Training and Recruitment Grants.
- Double-Up Food Bucks, which helps lower-income families to purchase healthy food from local farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
My Senate Democratic colleagues and I repeatedly offered amendments to restore funding on these and other initiatives to levels proposed by the governor, whose budget recommendations had prioritized increases for K-12 per-pupil funding, infrastructure repair, continued wage increases for direct-care workers, and childcare assistance, among other initiatives. They were repeatedly denied.
We’ll keep working for the issues that matter most to our communities, because we know how difficult it has been for so many people to put food on the table, pay their bills, and keep their head above water. Community matters, and we won’t stop until they know that.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL GUNS
Next week, I will be joined by colleagues in the Senate and House who believe it’s time we change Michigan’s gun laws to require background checks on all gun purchases, not just pistols (as is currently the law).
Given the violent displays of domestic extremism here in Michigan and across our country this past year, it should come as no surprise that our laws governing access to firearms are severely lacking. Our one job as legislators is to provide our communities with the safety and stability they deserve, and this includes amending the current laws so that people feel a sense of security in their homes, at work, in school, in houses of worship or anywhere they may be.
Interested in learning more? Visit my Facebook page at 9:30 AM on Monday, May 17, when my colleagues and I, along with experts in the field, will host a virtual press conference to discuss why we need this legislation now more than ever.
BROADBAND DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Internet connectivity has been critical for those working and learning from home. At the same time, not everyone has access to broadband internet, and not all infrastructure has been adequately prepared to handle the increased workload.
As part of the COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in December 2020, broadband consumers may be eligible for a $50 discount on their bill through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Your household qualifies for this program if you have an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty line, or if other members meet other criteria set by the federal government.
Visit the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program’s website to learn more and see if you qualify.
STATE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX DEADLINE IS MONDAY, MAY 17
The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding taxpayers that state individual income tax returns are due next week.
State individual income tax returns must be submitted electronically or sent through the U.S. Postal Service before midnight on Monday, May 17. For the convenience of taxpayers, the state’s individual income tax deadline is the same date set by the Internal Revenue Service.
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4.4 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 86% of state income tax filers. For more information about e-filing, go to MIFastFile.org.
Taxpayers with questions about their state income taxes are encouraged to use Treasury eServices. The online platform enables taxpayers to ask state income tax-related questions when convenient and avoids the extended wait times for calls this time of year.
MAY RECOGNIZED AS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH
On Tuesday, May 11, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month. The month commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the U.S. on May 7, 1843 and marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, where many of the workers who laid tracks were Chinese immigrants.
Asian Americans are the fastest growing population, making up 3.7% of the state’s total population, and have made many significant cultural and economic contributions in Michigan and across the nation.
WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK IS MAY 9-15
Improving the health of Michigan women and girls has the potential to drive health improvements for all communities across the state. To reaffirm the state’s commitment to improving the health of all Michigan women, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is joining with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health in proclaiming May as Women’s Health Month.
Despite advances in medical science and technology, as well as statewide efforts to combat maternal deaths, women are still dying from pregnancy-related causes. About 44% of maternal deaths in Michigan are preventable, and Black women are more than two times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies plan provides actionable policy change, creates partnerships with providers and universities, expands access to home visiting programs and aids in family planning access and education.
As such, May 9-15 has been designated as “Women’s Health Week.”
CHECK PROFESSIONAL LICENSES BEFORE HIRING FOR HOME PROJECTS
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is once again reinforcing her commitment to educating Michiganders by sharing another Consumer Protection video.
The latest video focuses on hiring out work for home projects, which can lead to being scammed if you don’t properly research the workers you’re hiring. You can also verify a license by visiting LARA’s website. The verification tool is categorized by different industries to help narrow your search.