February 6, 2021
Dear Neighbors,
Every February, we celebrate Black History Month. In honor of this valuable reflection on our country’s history, I introduced two bills: Senate Bill 74 to make Juneteenth a state holiday and Senate Bill 75 to ban the Confederate flag from our state Capitol.
Below you’ll find other legislation I have introduced thus far along with resources related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination information, how to find abandoned or lost property, and information on the launch of the MI Reconnect program that can provide tuition-free scholarships for Michigan adults over the age of 25 with a high school diploma.
Best wishes,
Sylvia Santana
State Senator
3rd District
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
As of this newsletter, I have introduced four bills which cover a variety of topics that I believe are important to Michiganders in our district and across the state. Please look below if you’d like to learn more.
- Senate Bill 59: Amends the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (PA 331 of 1976) to make it an unfair trade practice for retailers to require customers to pay using credit or refusing to accept cash when offered by the purchaser for transactions conducted in person.
- Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform
- Senate Bill 64: Amends the Michigan Business Corporation Act (PA 284 of 1972) by requiring Michigan-based corporations to have at least one female director on a given corporate board.
- Referred to the Committee on Economic and Small Business Development
- Senate Bill 74: Make “Juneteenth” or June 19th a state-recognized holiday, honoring the ceremonial end of slavery in the United States.
- Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
- Senate Bill 75: Ban the flying or carrying of the Confederate Battle Flag on Michigan State Capitol grounds.
- Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
MOBILE COVID-19 TESTING, OTHER SERVICES TO BEGIN IN WAYNE COUNTY
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that it is partnering with Wayne State University (WSU) and Wayne Health (WH) to provide mobile COVID-19 testing to reach more Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wayne Health’s Mobile Health Unit offers an array of health care screenings, including COVID testing, flu shots, blood pressure screening, HIV testing and on-site referrals for public benefit programs such as Medicaid and unemployment assistance and emergency food and shelter services addressing social determinants. Services are available to persons driving or walking to the site and do not require appointments or prescriptions.
MDHHS is working to expand mobile testing in Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Future services could include COVID-19 vaccination. Additional service requests will include coordination of non-emergency medical transportation and assistance with applications for State Emergency relief, Medicaid/ Medicare and cash/food assistance.
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR TUITION-FREE SCHOLARSHIPS
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of the $30 million Michigan Reconnect program, the largest effort in state history to ensure that more than 4.1 million Michiganders who are 25 or older, and who do not have a college degree, will have an opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to unprecedented demand, the skills certificate component of this program is already closed to applications as of Feb. 3.
Reconnect scholarships are accepted by all Michigan community colleges and are even available to eligible adults who are already enrolled in their local community college. The program pays the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied. For those who choose to attend an out-of-district community college, Reconnect will pay the in-district portion of tuition.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, you must:
- Be at least 25 years old when you apply.
- Have lived in Michigan for a year or more.
- Have a high school diploma.
- Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s).
Applications
Starting today, Michiganders can submit applications at Michigan.gov/Reconnect. The application takes less than five minutes to complete and can be done on a mobile device.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is administering Reconnect in partnership with the Michigan Department of Treasury.
FACE MASKS REQUIRED WHEN RIDING PUBLIC TRANSIT
In compliance with an order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Jan. 23, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds everyone to mask up when working and riding on public transportation systems, rail, and van, bus, and motorcoach service providers to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The CDC Order implements President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 13998, Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel, “to save lives and allow all Americans, including the millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel and work safely.”
The CDC order is in addition to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) existing epidemic order that requires all transportation providers’ staff and patrons to use face masks, and to enforce social distancing among all patrons to the extent feasible.
Science-based measures are critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Mask-wearing is one of several proven life-saving measures, including social distancing, frequent hand washing, appropriate ventilation and timely testing, that can reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Requiring masks will protect America’s transportation workers and passengers, help control the transmission of COVID-19, and aid in reopening America’s economy.
CONSUMER ALERT: LAW ENFORCEMENT SCAM CALLS
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urged Michigan residents to beware of scammers posing as law enforcement agencies or other companies demanding payment for warrants or services via gift card.
Recently, illegal robocalls have been reported detailing that bad actors are spoofing — or falsifying the phone number that appears on your caller ID — local law enforcement phone numbers and, when answered, they may claim the victim’s name is on a package of drugs and money and/or there is a warrant out for their arrest. The scammer tells the victim to wire money and/or purchase gift cards. They are then instructed to provide the gift card numbers over the phone to take care of the warrant.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General provides a host of resources available online specifically related to robocalls. From identifying the signs of a scam call to actual recordings of such calls, this information is in place to equip anyone with the tools they need to combat this public nuisance. A library of consumer alerts is also available to the public and number of scam examples.
>> To report fraud or if you have a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team online or call 877-765-8388.
MICHIGANDERS ENCOURAGED TO CHECK FOR ABANDONED, LOST PROPERTY
On the heels of National Unclaimed Property Day, which was Feb. 1, the Michigan Department of Treasury is encouraging residents to check if they have lost or abandoned property on the Michigan Unclaimed Property website. The site provides enhanced search options and the ability to upload verifying documentation easily and securely.
The state Treasury Department is the custodian of millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes, and stock certificates. Because these properties were considered abandoned and unclaimed by the bank or company entrusted with them, they are turned over to the state as required by law.
Statistically, 1 in every 10 people have unclaimed property where a company cannot locate the owner and the money or properties are submitted to the state. In the last five years, more than $400 million has been paid to claimants.
>> Individuals can search for unclaimed property on the Michigan Unclaimed Property website at Michigan.gov/UnclaimedProperty. Claimants may also call 517-636-5320 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
INDOOR DINING, CONCESSIONS, PERSONAL SERVICES OPEN AS OF FEBRUARY 1
On Friday, Jan. 22, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released a new epidemic order that began Monday, Feb. 1. The order now allows for indoor dining at restaurants with certain requirements; concessions at casinos, movie theaters, and stadiums; personal services requiring mask removal; and non-residential gatherings of up to 10 people from two households.
This order will last three weeks, until Sunday, Feb. 21. Restaurants and bars can now admit patrons at 25% capacity with up to 100 people. Tables must be six feet apart with no more than six people per table. Outdoor tents with four sides are permitted under these same rules. Bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m. Additionally, contact information must be collected from diners for contact tracing purposes.
The voluntary MI COVID-19 Safer Dining program allows food service establishments to become certified by having their ventilation system inspected and submitting their inspection report to the state indicating they are optimizing airflow. Once certified, businesses will be featured on the Michigan.gov/COVIDSaferDining website and receive a copy of their certification to post at their establishment to alert diners of their participation.
Indoor residential and non-residential gatherings are still limited to 10 people and two households. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with consistent with guidance already released by the department. Families are encouraged to stay home as much as possible to maintain momentum and to protect loved ones. Families are also encouraged to Mask Up, Mask Right, using guidance for what masks to wear and how to wear them.
The epidemic order continues to temporarily pause indoor contact sports and other venues and activities where participants have close physical contacts and are not consistently masked, like water parks. However, as of Jan. 22, stadiums can allow up to 500 people at venues that seat over 10,000 people and stadiums that seat less than 10,000 can be at 20% capacity, up to 250 people.
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.
>> 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.
MICHIGAN’S COVID-19 VACCINATION STRATEGY
On Friday, Jan. 29, the Protect Michigan Commission, comprised of a diverse group of leaders from across the state charged with helping raise awareness about the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, hosted its first meeting and unveiled Michigan’s COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy.
Established by Executive Order 2020-193, the commission serves as an advisory group to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The strategy for the commission is being guided by the following guiding principles:
- All Michiganders have equitable access to vaccines.
- Vaccine planning and distribution is inclusive and actively engages state and local government, public and private partners; and draws upon the experience and expertise of leaders from historically marginalized populations.
- Communications are transparent, accurate, and frequent public communications to build public trust.
- Data is used to promote equity, track progress and guide decision making.
- Resource stewardship, efficiency, and continuous quality improvement drive strategic implementation.
The Protect Michigan Commission will work to protect the health and safety of Michigan residents by educating communities about the effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine to eradicate the spread of the coronavirus. To achieve this, commissioners will develop an outreach strategy to identify and work with communities around the state where there is hesitancy to the vaccine. They are expected to complete their work and submit a report to Governor Whitmer by Dec. 31, 2021.
>> More information about the commission, including a list of members, is available at MDHHS – Protect Michigan Commission.