May 15, 2021
Friends,
Michigan has reached a new milestone in our battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 55% of residents 16 years and older having received their first dose of a vaccine, as of Monday, May 10. While this news is a welcome relief, we must continue to help our loved ones get access to any of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines currently available. Please continue to practice safe social distancing, as well as wearing a mask around others, washing your hands, and adhering to other important CDC guidelines.
In this week’s newsletter, you’ll find information about the ongoing state budget process in Lansing, as well as Michigan’s continued fight against COVID-19 and consumer alerts from the Attorney General.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 517-373-0990, or email me if you have any questions or need assistance.
Stay safe and be well,
Sylvia Santana
State Senator
District 3
STATE BUDGET
We began the process of moving budgets for state departments this week, although 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 farmer’s 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 throughout this entire pandemic. Community matters, and we won’t stop until they know that.
UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR
Please join me for my upcoming coffee hour on Friday, May 21 at 10:30 AM for an update on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and availability. Public health experts will be joining me to help answer all your questions and concerns.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Virtual Coffee Hour
WHEN: Friday, May 21, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Facebook Live video on my Facebook page
Please note: You do NOT need to have a Facebook account to join the conversation! Just visit my Facebook page at the time of the coffee hour and you’ll be able to watch the video and send me your questions in the comments section below it.
I look forward to chatting with you all soon!
MAY 9-15 IS WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK
Healthy women are the cornerstone of healthy societies and improving the health of Michigan women and girls has the potential to drive health improvements for all communities across the state. To help 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 (MDHHS) and Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health in proclaiming May as Women’s Health Month.
Additionally, May 9-15 has been designated as “Women’s Health Week.” Despite advances in medical science and technology and 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.
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 U.S.
55% OF MICHIGANDERS VACCINATED, FIRST MILESTONE ACHIEVED
On Monday, May 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that 55% of Michiganders have 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, which would enable in-person work to resume across all employment sectors on May 24.
The Vacc to Normal plan will use four vaccination-based milestones that, once achieved, will enable Michigan to take a step toward normalcy:
55% of Michiganders (4,453,304 residents), plus two weeks
Allows in-person work for all sectors of business.
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, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine to view the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.
REMINDER: VERIFY LICENSES BEFORE HIRING FOR 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.
TREASURY: 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.
Questions?
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.