May 7, 2021
Friends,
I want to thank you for your thoughts, ideas and suggestions that we received in response to my last e-newsletter. Many of you commented that you are looking forward to warmer weather and getting back to favorite outdoor activities as we move into late spring and early summer. I totally agree as COVID-19 has impacted our daily lives for more than a year.
Everyone has played a significant role by helping out in various ways and exercising great patience. At this point in time more than 50% of the state’s residents have chosen to receive at least one dose of the COVID vaccines that are currently available. My deepest wish for everyone is that all of you remain healthy and safe.
In this e-letter update, you’ll find information regarding consumer alerts relating to Covid-19 phone scams, and resources for small businesses that many need critical financial support. 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
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO AID UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AGENCY, CLAIMANTS
I have introduced two bills in the Michigan Senate to improve our unemployment system. Senate Bill 2 would restore the maximum number of weeks an individual can collect unemployment insurance benefits from 20 weeks to 26 weeks. Changes were made in 2011 that brought the maximum limit from 26 to 20 weeks, giving Michigan one of the shortest number of benefit weeks in the nation. This pandemic has highlighted the need to provide benefits to those workers who were forced out of work due to no fault of their own. These weeks were temporarily increased legislatively at the end of last year from 20 to 26 weeks to allow Michigan to draw down Federal benefits.
My second bill, Senate Bill 368, would allow former Unemployment Insurance Agency employees who have retired to return working for the Unemployment Insurance Agency. These professionals would be able to assist in the adjudication and processing claims for the agency. This legislation would sunset on December 31, 2021 and is aimed at putting experienced professionals where they are needed during these difficult times. Current law requires a retiree who is rehired to stop receiving their retirement benefits. My office has been handling hundreds of calls from constituents seeking assistance with unemployment claims and this bill would assist in providing additional skilled and experienced resources to the agency to improve efficiency in processing claims.
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION LAUNCHES ONLINE PORTAL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
As of Wednesday, May 5, Michigan residents can participate in the Michigan Independent Redistricting Committee’s (MICRC) work by using a public comment portal to submit written comments, draw or upload maps, and more.
The public comment portal can be found at Michigan.gov/MICRC by selecting the “Visit the Public Comment Portal” button. Through the portal, Michiganders can:
- Submit written public comments,
- Draw and submit a Community of Interest map,
- Draw and submit a complete or partial district map (Congressional, Michigan House, and Michigan Senate),
- Upload or link to a map/shapefile or document; or,
- Comment on other maps or submissions.
Commissioners and the public will be able to see submissions and comments in real time. Members of the public are encouraged to use the public comment portal to submit materials, however, the Commission will continue to receive email, mail, and/or paper submissions and comments from the public.
More information about upcoming meetings and public hearings of the MICRC can be found at Michigan.gov/Redistricting.
WEEK OF MAY 3-7 RECOGNIZED AS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
On Wednesday, May 5, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamationmarking May 3 – May 7 as Teacher Appreciation Week.
“Teachers always go the extra mile for their students, but through the COVID-19 pandemic they have gone above and beyond to adapt to online learning and support their students,” Gov. Whitmer said. “Every child in Michigan deserves a high-quality public education, and I am proud that my administration is working to make that possible by securing the largest investment in K-12 education in state history to empower teachers, help students learn, and keep everyone safe.”
According to the Office of Educator Excellence, as of February 2020 there are 86,300 public school teachers working in Michigan.
CRITICAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR MICHIGAN RESTAURANTS, BARS
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is encouraging restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments across Michigan that have been hard hit by COVID-19 to apply for some of the $28.6 billion in federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund direct relief being provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the American Rescue Plan. The application has been made available to those interested as of noon on Monday, May 3, 2021.
For the first 21 days, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications right away. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis, with the online application remaining open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
Eligible businesses include restaurants; food stands, food trucks, food carts; caterers; bars, saloons, lounges, taverns; brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms; breweries, wineries and distilleries; and bakeries. Recipients would not be required to repay the funding if the funds are used for eligible expenses no later than March 11, 2023.
The minimum funding awarded will be $1,000, with businesses that remain open eligible to receive funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss, up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. The fund includes $9.5 billion in set-asides specifically for smaller businesses:
- $5 billion for applicants with 2019 gross receipts of not more than $500,000.
- $4 billion is set aside for applicants with 2019 gross receipts from $500,001 to $1,500,000.
- $500 million for applicants with 2019 gross receipts not more than $50,000.
>> For more information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurants.
AG NESSEL REISSUES CONSUMER ALERT ON COVID FUNERAL SCAM
On Monday, May 3, Attorney General Dana Nessel reminded Michiganders to beware of scammers reaching out to loved ones of COVID-19 victims and offering to register them for funeral assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to a fraud alert from FEMA, the agency does not contact people before they register for assistance.
FEMA is offering funds to help pay for funeral expenses that people have paid since January 20, 2020, for loved ones who died of COVID-19. The fraudsters are targeting potential applicants and offering to register them for the FEMA funeral assistance program to steal personal data.
As a result, the Attorney General’s office has reissued a consumer alert on government imposter scams. Anyone who receives a phone call they suspect to be a scam should avoid giving out personal information and hang up immediately.
Remember these tips to avoid being scammed:
- FEMA will not contact you until you have called them or have applied for assistance.
- The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this financial help.
- The government won’t call, text, email, or contact you on social media and ask for your social security, bank account, or credit card numbers.
- In general, don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.
If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from FEMA, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the National Center for Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
SENTINEL PROJECT TO PROTECT NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
Last week, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a new initiative that will focus on protecting vulnerable adults residing in nursing facilities and help Michigan prepare for its future aging population.
By the year 2060, the senior population in the United States is projected to be over 94 million. At an increase of almost 70%, many of these individuals will require assistance in nursing facilities. This influx, often referred to as the Silver Tsunami, will significantly impact long-term care facilities. The Sentinel Project will help the state prepare for this future wave and demand better care for current residents.
As such, The Sentinel Project, which Nessel discussed in a video announcement, will use specially trained staff to examine long-term care facilities for evidence of abuse or neglect through unannounced visits, which will be determined by performance metrics, complaints and other data. These discrete, but comprehensive, site investigations will determine if additional action is necessary to ensure loved ones are given the best possible care.
If you or someone you know is being abused or neglected in a nursing facility, contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Hotline at (800) 24-ABUSE (2-2873) or file a complaint online using the Michigan Attorney General Patient Abuse Complaint Form.