April 23, 2021
Friends,
Michigan has once again become the epicenter of our nation’s continued fight against COVID-19, and I truly hope you take all the necessary precautions to stay safe: such as continuing to socially distance, wearing a mask around others, washing your hands, as well as following other important CDC guidelines.
Much has happened in the past several weeks, including news that Michigan is slated to receive $18 billion in further COVID-19 relief from the federal government. This newsletter includes more information on this funding, as well as other important legislative updates and resources.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 517-373-8360, or email me if you have any questions or need assistance.
Warmest regards,
Paul Wojno
State Senator
9th District
SECRETARY OF STATE, SEN. WOJNO STAND UP FOR VOTING RIGHTS
Wednesday, I was proud to join Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and others at a press conference to denounce voting restrictions. As an elected official and a former clerk of the City of Warren, I understand the importance of voting. We must respect that our country was built by the will of the people. We don’t need politicians in Lansing telling us how we should vote, when we can vote, and where to vote.
Our country was founded on the basic yet vital principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As your elected official, it is my job to preserve the right to vote for everyone, so our generation can usher the promise and beauty of democracy to another generation of leaders.
Unfortunately, this bill package to limit voting is an attempt by some who are trying to pick their voters instead of letting voters pick their leaders. As a result in its current form, it serves to promote career politicians instead of people truly representative of their communities.
I will keep you updated as these bills move through the Michigan Legislature.
GOVERNOR CREATES MICHIGAN JAIL REFORM ADVISORY COUNCIL
On Wednesday, April 21, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order No. 2021-5, creating the Michigan Jail Reform Advisory Council as an advisory body within the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. This new Council will facilitate, assist with, monitor, and evaluate the successful implementation of jail reform legislation throughout the state of Michigan.
In January 2020, the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration issued its final report and recommendations to the governor. That body found significant growth in county jail populations, costing taxpayers nearly half a billion dollars annually. They recommended extensive state policy changes related to traffic violations, arrests, behavioral health diversion, pretrial release and detention, speedy trials, sentencing, probation and parole, financial barriers for system-involved individuals, victim services, and data collection.
The Council will include participation from:
- Judge Prentis Edwards of the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County and Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca of the 41B District Court of Clinton Township (designated by Chief Justice Bridget McCormack);
- Sen. Jim Runestad (nominated by the Senate Majority Leader);
- Sen. Sylvia Santana (nominated by the Senate Minority Leader);
- Rep. Mike Mueller (nominated by the Speaker of the House); and,
- Rep. Tenisha Yancey (nominated by the House Minority Leader).
Appointees will serve until the Council dissolves on March 31, 2023.
CONSUMERS CAN APPEAL HEALTH INSURER DENIALS
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers of the Michigan’s Patient’s Right to Independent Review Act (PRIRA), which gives consumers the opportunity to have an external review of health insurance decisions to obtain the health care services to which they are entitled.
When a health insurer decides that a health care service will not be covered, it will issue an official notification called an “adverse determination.” If a consumer disagrees with that decision, the consumer has the right to file an appeal. There are two levels of appeal:
- an internal grievance, initiated by the consumer with their health insurance company and;
- an external review with DIFS, which may be initiated after the consumer has gone through the health insurer’s internal grievance process or if the insurer fails to provide a decision within the timeframe required by law, which is 30 calendar days for a pre-service denial or 60 days for a post-service denial.
Since 2019, DIFS has issued nearly 1,000 PRIRA orders to health insurance companies. For more information related to filing a request for an external review, contact DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442 or visit the DIFS PRIRA website. Consumers have 127 days after they receive the health insurer’s final denial to file a request for external review with DIFS.
DIFS can also help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints and can provide information about the current Health Insurance Marketplace Special Enrollment Period that will be open through August 15. Contact DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.
AG NESSEL WARNS AGAINST NEW SPIN ON GRANDPARENT, FAMILY EMERGENCY SCAM
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is once again reminding Michiganders to be on alert for grandparent and family emergency scams following recent reports of different variations of this scam. In a consumer alert that was reissued on Monday, April 19, AG Nessel provides tips on how to identify and avoid becoming victims of grandparent and family scams.
If you receive such a call, you should verify the identity and location of the child or grandchild claiming to be in trouble. Do not wire money unless you have verified with an independent third party that your child or grandchild is truly in trouble, and never give out any personal identifying information such as bank account or credit card numbers to anyone who calls you on the phone.
If you’ve wired money to a scam artist, call the money transfer company immediately to report the fraud and file a complaint. You can reach the complaint department of MoneyGram at 800-MONEYGRAM (800-666-3947) or Western Union at 800-448-1492. Then, file complaint with your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Visit the FTC’s website, or call toll-free, 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357); TTY: 866-653-4261.
In addition, if the request for money involved a wire transfer to Canada, Canadian officials in the Anti-Fraud Call Center ask victims to report the fraud at their PhoneBusters hotline at 888-495-8501 or on their PhoneBuster’s website.
REMINDER: TAXES ARE DUE MONDAY, MAY 17
Michigan taxpayers are reminded that they should file their state individual income tax returns before midnight on May 17, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
On March 19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer secured bipartisan support to give Michiganders more time to file their individual income tax returns. For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of income tax filing season are the same as the dates set by the Internal Revenue Service.
Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request an extension to Oct. 15, 2021. Taxpayers requesting additional time to file should estimate their tax liability and pay any taxes owed by May 17, 2021, to avoid additional interest and penalties.
Taxpayers who are owed a refund are encouraged to file their state income tax returns, so they can receive their refunds. More information about e-filing is available at Michigan.gov/MIFastFile.