March 4, 2021
As we move into the springtime, I am again grateful for the distinct honor to serve and represent the people in Michigan’s 6th Senate District.
Please be aware that our office continues to serve Michigan’s 6th Senate District remotely. If you have any questions or concerns, we can be reached by email at SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov as well as by voicemail at (517) 373-7800.
Stay safe and be well,
Erika Geiss
State Senator
6th District
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS EDITION?
- Legislative Update
- March Is Reading Month
- March Coffee Hour
- COVID Vaccine Eligibility Update
- COVID Restrictions Update
- Special Program Teachers Grant
- Community Connection
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
So far this term, I’ve introduced six bills and two resolutions. I want to take a deeper dive into two pieces of legislation and what they would do:
Senate Bill 189: Geographically Disadvantaged Business Opportunities
Last week, I introduced a bill that would require the State of Michigan to award businesses in geographically disadvantaged areas at least 5% of state contracts for goods and services. The pandemic has done great damage to our economy and our small businesses. It is critical now that we support those businesses in the greatest need—those in geographically low-income communities. We can support these underutilized business areas, so they may continue to operate.
These businesses in geographically disadvantaged zones have been historically marginalized and discriminated against and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it harder to succeed. This legislation is the perfect opportunity to give these businesses a leg up on their path to success keeping their doors open and road to success.
Senate Bill 124: Collapsing Docks Reporting
In 2019, the Detroit Dock partially collapsed into the Detroit River, polluting the water source that many Metro Detroit communities use. Uranium and other dangerous chemicals spilled into the river as a result.
Earlier this year, Senator Stephanie Chang, Senator Rosemary Bayer, and I re-introduced a package of bills that would protect our major waterways and public health by establishing a system of accountability for private dock owners.
My bill, Senate Bill 124, would require the owner of a dock to provide notice to the local health department within 24 hours of the incident should it collapse and release pollution into our waterways. Swift action is of the utmost importance so that we can notify residents and the spill can be cleaned before irreparable damage is done.
MARCH IS READING MONTH
On Monday, March 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring the month of March as Reading Month in Michigan. Throughout the month, schools, children, and adults alike use this time to promote the importance of reading.
Throughout Reading Month, we will be hosting virtual events for kids and adults. I am excited to virtually visit schools throughout the district and host events with our local libraries. You can find more updates regarding these activities by following us on our Facebook page.
Download your Michigan bookmark
Download your own Michigan bookmark from my website, color it, cut it out, and enjoy using it with your favorite book!
MARCH COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for our next Coffee Hour, where we will be talking about the Clean Slate bills and expungement process that will go into effect in April. We will have great guests talk about the legislation and details on the process of getting your record expunged.
WHO: Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), and legal professionals sharing their insight.
WHAT: Get Informed with Geiss Virtual Coffee Hour
WHEN: Thursday, March 25, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
WHERE: Online Zoom meeting streamed to Sen. Geiss’ Facebook page
Please use this form to RSVP to this coffee hour and to receive a link to join the meeting. Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 24 by 5:00 PM. You will be emailed a link to the meeting, along with any other necessary information, prior to the event.
MICHIGANDERS AGE 50+ TO START RECEIVING COVID VACCINE IN MARCH
On Wednesday, March 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced that the state is moving forward with the vaccination of Michiganders aged 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities, and caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs. These individuals can begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 8.
Beginning Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility will again expand to include all Michiganders 50 and older.
Those eligible to receive a vaccine should:
- Check the website of the local health department or hospital to find out their process or for registration forms; or
- Check additional vaccination sites, such as local pharmacies like Meijer, Rite Aid, or Cardinal Health; or
- Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or call 2-1-1.
This change follows the announcement by President Joe Biden that ramped-up production will provide enough doses for 300 million Americans by the end May. To date, more than 40% of Michiganders aged 65 and older have been vaccinated.
NEW CHANGES FOR RESTAURANTS, INDOOR GATHERINGS, NURSING HOMES
On Tuesday, March 2, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated two of its epidemic orders, allowing for increased capacity limits at various venues, larger residential and nonresidential gatherings, and expanded visitation opportunities at residential care facilities.
Restaurants, Indoor Gatherings
Changes to the Gatherings and Mask Order go into effect Friday, March 5th, and remain in effect through Monday, April 19th.
Capacity changes include:
- Restaurants and bars can be at 50% capacity, up to 100 people. Tables must be six feet apart with no more than six people per table. There is now an 11 p.m. curfew.
- Indoor non-residential gatherings where people interact across households are permitted up to 25 people, allowing public meetings and other small indoor gatherings to resume.
- Outdoor non-residential gatherings where people interact across households are permitted up to 300, allowing larger outdoor events to resume.
- Indoor entertainment venues can be at 50% capacity, up to 300 people.
- Exercise facilities can be at 30% capacity, with restrictions on distancing and mask requirements.
- Retail can be at 50% capacity.
- Casinos can be at 30% capacity.
- Indoor stadiums and arenas are allowed have 375 if seating capacity is under 10,000; 750 if seating capacity is over 10,000.
- Outdoor entertainment and recreational facilities may host up to 1,000 patrons.
Indoor residential gatherings are now limited to 15 people from three households, while outdoor residential gatherings can include up to 50 people.
The epidemic order continues to temporarily pause other venues and activities where participants have close physical contacts and are not consistently masked, like water parks. As before, employees who work in jobs that cannot be performed from home can continue to go to work, while employees who can work from home should continue to do so.
Nursing Homes
With all residents at skilled nursing homes having been offered their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and a vast majority having had their second dose, the Residential Care Facilities Order goes into effect immediately.
The order encourages communal dining and group activities for residents and allows indoor and outdoor visitation in all counties regardless of county risk level. Visitation is allowed if the facility has not had a new COVID-19 case in the last 14 days and all indoor visitors ages 13 and older are subject to rapid antigen testing.
Visitors will be required to wear face masks or other personal protective equipment and maintain six feet from residents.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.
NEW GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES $2.5 MILLION FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAM TEACHERS
On Monday, March 1, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced the expansion of the MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants to include a new grant program for Great Start Readiness Program (GRSP), Head Start, adult education, and young adult (ages 18-26) special education classroom teachers.
The GRSP, Head Start, Adult Education and Young Adult Special Education Teacher COVID-19 Grant Program enables these specific program teachers to receive up to $500 for extra hours worked and costs incurred during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring.
A state budget appropriation signed by Governor Whitmer at the end of 2020 provides $2.5 million to make specific program teachers eligible to receive a MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grant, who were not eligible under previous programs.
Eligibility
Full-time and part-time GRSP, Head Start, adult education and young adult special education teachers in a school district or nonprofit nonpublic school classrooms during the 2019-2020 school year prior to moving to remote learning are eligible.
To receive up to $500, specific program teachers must have performed at least of 75% of their standard instruction workload in brick-and-mortar classrooms to moving to remote instruction on April 2, 2020.
How to receive a grant
The state Treasury Department is working with the Michigan Department of Education, school entities, and other education partners to implement MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants. Eligible specific program teachers should consult the school entity where they worked during the 2019-2020 school year to ensure they receive a grant.
Grant-funding checks for the GRSP, Head Start, Adult Education, and Young Adult Special Education Teacher COVID-19 Grant Program are anticipated to be sent directly from the state Treasury Department to teachers in June.
More information
For more information about MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants, visit Michigan.gov/MIClassroomHeroes.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
During this pandemic, it’s important to stay connected with our communities. Check out this article about Doc’s Ice Cream & Coffee; a new business named after Dr. Joseph Rickert, a family doctor who served Huron Township Families for over 45 years.
If you want to be featured in the Community Connection segment in a coming e-news, please send information and details to SenEGeiss@senate.michigan.gov.