In this Edition:
- UIA Support Phone Appointments Now Available
- Legislative Updates
- Election 2020: What You Need to Know
- In the News
- What We’ve Been Up To
UIA Support Phone Appointments Now Available
The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has recently announced a new one-on-one phone appointment system for UIA agents to meet with claimants who need extra assistance.
In order to access this service, you must make an appointment at least one week in advance online at Michigan.gov/UIA to request assistance in one of the following issue areas:
- I filed under the wrong Social Security Number
- My claim is inactive
- I am unable to certify for all weeks needed
- I need to file a claim, but one is already filed in my name
- I do not have the link in MiWAM to file a claim
Phone appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. to 4:25 p.m.
Legislative Updates
- House Bill 6293: This bill is designed to better prepare Michigan’s health care facilities by expanding the list of medical professionals that are eligible to administer COVID-19 tests as our state continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill passed unanimously in the Senate.
- House Bills 5756 & 5757: This bill package asserts that all State of Michigan official ID cards, including driver’s licenses (enhanced and regular), and state identification cards set to expire on or after March 1st, 2020 will be considered valid until December 11th, 2020. Similarly, the Michigan Secretary of State will not be permitted to charge any additional late fees. This bill package also passed the Senate unanimously.
- House Bill 6294 , 6295 , 6296 and 6297: This bill package amends Executive Order 2020-187, issued earlier this year by Governor Whitmer and further extends it; allowing electronic signatures and remote notarization of official documents through December 31st, 2020 due to the pandemic. These bills passed the Senate unanimously.
- House Bills 6137: This bill creates a requirement for MDHHS to post weekly updates on their website regarding COVID-19 levels within nursing homes around Michigan in order for the public to be able to keep track. This bill also passed unanimously.
One of the most powerful tools we have in Michigan is the ability for residents to file a ballot initiative to tackle an issue when the legislature fails to act. In recent years, this tool has afforded us expanded voting rights, legalized and created regulations around recreational marijuana, and created the independent citizen’s redistricting commission to eliminate partisan gerrymandering. However, recent years have also brought a rise in sophisticated, paid signature collection operations and current laws do not require petition circulators to be honest when approaching you for a signature. This week I joined my colleagues in introducing Senate Bills 1209-1213, that address issues surrounding deceitful petition circulators here in Michigan.
- Senate Bill 1209 would hold employed petition circulator or volunteers liable if their petition circulator intentionally makes a false statement or misrepresentation concerning the contents, purport, or effect of a petition.
- Senate Bill 1210, which is the bill I sponsored in this bill package, authorizes a voter who has signed an initiative, referendum, or recall petition to remove their name from the petition by filing a written request to do so with the appropriate county elections official up until the day the petition is filed.
- Senate Bill 1211 prohibits a group to pay or hire someone as a signature gatherer based on certain conditions, such as those previously convicted of crimes related to elections, signature petitions, fraud, and forgery.
- Senate Bill 1212 would prohibit paying petition circulators by the signature
Previous versions of these bills were introduced in 2017 with broad bipartisan support, only to fail during that year’s lame-duck session. Passing these bills would be a major step toward ensuring transparency and accountability in petition drives, strengthening the democratic process.
Election 2020: What You Need to Know
Last week, I was joined by Rochester Hills City Clerk, Tina Barton, and Royal Oak City Clerk, Melanie Halas, on a Facebook LIVE to answer questions about voting and the upcoming election.
Both of our expert clerks provided answers to the most frequently asked questions we have been hearing from constituents in our office, including:
- I requested an absentee ballot but have changed my mind and want to vote in-person on Election Day, what should I do?
- What happens if ink bleeds through the ballot?
- Would you recommend getting an absentee ballot in-person or by mail?
We answered these questions and more! Watch here.
With the election less than two weeks away, one of the most important recommendations provided by our clerks is to drop off your absentee ballot at your clerk’s office at your clerk’s designated ballot drop box. Do NOT drop the ballot in the mail, as it may not arrive back to your clerk’s office on time for your vote to count.
If you have not yet requested an absentee ballot, and would like to vote via absentee, visit your clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot.
To find your designated ballot drop box, click here.
If you have any additional questions not answered in the Ask a Clerk Facebook LIVE video, visit Michigan.gov/Vote or contact your local clerk’s office directly.
In the News
- Gov. Whitmer signs bill extending some unemployment benefits through December 31 in Michigan (MLIVE)
What We’ve Been Up To
- Monday, October 19th: virtual Rochester Hills City Council meeting. A main concern our local municipalities have brought to our attention is the need for changes to the Open Meetings Act in order to allow local government bodies to meet virtually. As experts warn that we will still be dealing with the coronavirus pandemic into next year before a widely available vaccine or treatment is available, the council requested we continue to discuss allowing local municipalities to determine whether virtual meetings provide the safest option.
- Tuesday, October 20th: virtual Clawson City Council meeting
- Tuesday, October 20th: virtual meeting with a Girl Scouts Troop based out of Royal Oak to discuss democracy and what it’s like being a state senator. I asked the Troops what changes they would like to see in Michigan ¾ and heard they’d like to see us do more to protect our environment, respect each other’s differences, and protect our animals and wildlife.