In This Edition
- Looking Ahead in 2021
- The Start of the 101st Legislative Session
- Employee Assistance Grant Applications
- Small Business Survival Grant & Stages Survival Grant Programs
LOOKING AHEAD IN 2021
Looking ahead into 2021, we wanted to break down a few things you can expect from our office:
Reintroductions of the Following Bills
- Senate Bill 284, which would ban so-called conversion therapy on minors. This widely discredited practice causes serious psychological damage to those who identify as LGBTQ+.
- Senate Bill 123, eliminating Michigan’s “Tampon Tax,” which treats feminine hygiene products like a luxury rather than a basic necessity.
- Senate Bill 1146, that would bring back Michigan’s classic blue license plate with white lettering, which was available from 1983 to 2007.
Continued Work on Councils
Last year, I was appointed to two councils by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. I am excited to get to work on some of the most important issues facing Michigan’s future through the dialogue and policy recommendations that come out of these councils.
- Council of Future Mobility and Electrification: This council, created in 2020 by Gov. Whitmer, brings together state departments, industry experts, and legislators to position Michigan as a nationwide leader in mobility, sustainability, and electric vehicles.
- Council for Workforce Development: In this council, we aim to bridge economic and workforce development to provide innovative solutions to labor concerns and improve economic outcomes for Michiganders.
THE START OF THE 101ST LEGISLATIVE SESSION
This past Wednesday, Jan. 13, was the opening session day of the 101st Legislature. Every two years, a new legislative session begins. Many people aren’t aware that a new legislative session begins every two years in January following the November general election in even-numbered years, when new Representatives are up for election. Michigan has 110 members of the House of Representatives, who are up for election every two years, and 38 senators who up for election every four years. With the election of new Representatives, a new legislative session is called.
This means that all bills introduced in the previous legislative session must be reintroduced if they want to be considered in the new term. So, while I still have two years left in my Senate term, all bills that I introduced within the past two years will need to be reintroduced to be considered before the 101st Legislature.
>> If you are interested in watching any Senate committee meeting or Senate session, you can do so online here, where you can also find archived videos of previous meetings.
A lot of priorities were sidelined in 2020. While we’ll be dealing with COVID-19 well into 2021, there are still so many challenges and opportunities facing Michiganders.
>> Representative Mari Manoogian and I joined WXYZ-TV Channel 7 to close out 2020 and look ahead to what the legislature should focus on as we kick off a new year. You can watch our interview here.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE GRANT APPLICATIONS
Workers who lost jobs or wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related state health orders may receive up to $1,650 in grant funding. Applications became available as of 9:00 AM this morning (Friday, Jan. 15) and are due no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, Jan. 25.
>> Apply online at mrlaef.org/money
Michigan employees impacted by the MDHHS Order of November 2020 must have been working in one of the following industries to qualify for an Employee Assistance Grant:
- Bars
- Banquet Halls
- Bowling Allies
- Cafeterias
- Casinos
- Caterers
- Food Trucks
- Golf Courses
- Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Resorts
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Theaters
- And other such recreational facilities.
The following information will be required during the online Employee Assistance Grants application process:
- Legal Name
- Mailing Address
- Social Security Number
- Date of Hire
- Employer Business Name, Manager Name, Phone Number and Email Address
- Proof of Employment in November 2020 (via a paystub or signed letter on business letterhead stating employment was impacted by MDHHS Order of November 2020)
>> Click here for a list of FAQs.
Please note: All Employee Assistance Grant applicants will receive an email no later than Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 confirming whether their application was approved or denied. The State of Michigan Department of Treasury will issue the grant payments. Grant awards are taxable but will not count against unemployment as income.
SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL GRANT & STAGES SURVIVAL GRANT PROGRAMS
On Dec. 29, 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 748 into law, which appropriated $55 million to implement the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program and $3.5 million to implement the Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program. Details of each program are summarized below.
Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program
The Michigan Strategic Fund Board authorized distribution of $55 million across 15 local or nonprofit economic development organizations (EDOs) who will then administer grants to eligible small businesses throughout all 83 counties in Michigan that have experienced a significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses that have been fully closed since Nov. 18, 2020, may be eligible for up to $20,000 in grants, while those businesses that have been partially closed — or are otherwise open — may apply for grants up to $15,000. Funding through this program can be used to support working capital needs, such as payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, and other similar expenses.
>> Applications for the program open at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 and can be found online at MichiganBusiness.org/Survival. Completed applications are due by noon, Friday, Jan. 22.
Please note: All applications received during the application period will be reviewed and considered; grants are not being awarded on a first come, first served basis.
>> Visit MichiganBusiness.org/Survival for more information and a list of FAQs.
Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program
The Michigan Strategic Fund Board also approved $3.5 million to support the state’s live music and entertainment venues that have been negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide up to $40,000 in one-time grants for eligible entertainment venues throughout Michigan.
>> Applications for the program will be made available beginning Thursday, Jan. 21 at 9:00 a.m. at MichiganBusiness.org/Stages. Completed applications are due by noon, Thursday, Jan. 28.
Please note: Applications will be submitted to, and processed by, the Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association (MIVPA) who will recommend grant awards to the MEDC for disbursement by Feb. 28.
>> Visit MichiganBusiness.org/Stages for more information and a list of FAQs.
Stay safe