"The Collective Voice for Cultural Organizations in Michigan"
COVID-19 UPDATE
We hope you and your families are managing well and doing your best to stay safe and healthy during this uncertain time. The administration took several actions relative to the COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan.
March 23, 2020 Update:
The governor has signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, effective at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and lasting for three weeks. The order is designed to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. Other details include:
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Prohibition on public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons outside a single household.
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People may leave the house to perform limited, necessary purposes and may engage in outdoor recreational activities consistent with the “six-foot” guidance previously issued.
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Businesses maintaining in-person activities must adopt social distancing practices and other mitigation measures.
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All in-person government activities not necessary to sustain or protect life are suspended.
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Workers classified by the Department of Homeland Security CISA guidance as “critical infrastructure workers” may continue to work. “Critical infrastructure workers” also include child care workers in the state and suppliers of entities that employ critical infrastructure workers.
Subscribe to the State of Michigan’s COVID-19 website here. The state is also operating a coronavirus hotline at (888) 535-6136. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control updates information and resources here.
March 20, 2020 Update:
Michigan Legislature
Senate Elections Committee Chair Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) has asked Gov. Whitmer to cancel May elections and push any questions scheduled for the ballot to the state’s August election. In a letter sent to the governor, Johnson highlighted risks to local clerks, other election workers, and the general public. Johnson received support from Senate Elections Committee Minority Vice Chair Paul Wojno (D-Warren) and Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.) as well.
Michigan Executive and State Departments
The governor issued several executive orders today. The first restricts non-essential medical and dental procedures. The order is intended to reduce strain on the healthcare system and ensure that healthcare workers are more protected from the impact of COVID-19.
Another executive order issued this afternoon clarifying that price gouging restrictions also apply to individuals that resell a product from a retailer at an excessively higher price than the purchase price.
The third executive order signed by Gov. Whitmer temporarily suspends evictions in the state.
The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity released figures this morning indicating that over 55,000 Michiganders filed claims for unemployment benefits during the first three days that businesses were ordered to close or decrease operations. The number represents a 1,500% increase from normal levels.
March 20, 2020 Update:
March 18, 2020 Update:
The total number of cases in the state has risen to at least 110, and Michigan saw its first death resulting from complications related to coronavirus.
Michigan Legislature
The legislature sent a second supplemental appropriations bill with coronavirus funding to the governor. The bill includes:
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$50 million for healthcare
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$50 million as needed
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$50 million held for legislative transfer as needed
The numbers in this funding include the $25 million included in supplemental appropriations bill previously sent to Gov. Whitmer. Details on the supplemental are attached. The legislature has scheduled one day each week to meet for the next several weeks and will then return to its normal schedule.
Michigan Executive and State Departments
The governor issued two executive orders today. The first order extends the deadline for Michiganders to pay back taxes and avoid foreclosure to May 29, 2020. The second order temporarily allows entities subject to the Open Meetings Act to conduct meetings electronically as long as public access and participation is retained.
Gov. Whitmer also called up the Michigan Army National Guard this evening. The National Guard will assist with assembling and loading equipment such as wipes, gloves, gowns, and face masks for the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute to local health departments.
The governor formally requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration issue an Economic Injury Disaster declaration for Michigan. If the declaration is granted, it will make funds for low-interest loans available to businesses in the state impacted by COVID-19.
The Department of Treasury announced it will extend the deadline for small businesses’ monthly sales, use, and withholding tax payments from this Friday to April 20. Penalties and interest will be waived for 30 days as well. The move applies to businesses that paid less than $720,000 in sales and use tax in 2019.
March 17, 2020 UPDATE:
The legislature convened at 10:00 a.m. yesterday to work on several issues today, including advancing a supplemental appropriations bill related to coronavirus. As currently written, the bill includes:
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$50 million for healthcare
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$50 million as needed
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$50 million held for legislative transfer as needed
The numbers in this funding include the $25 million included in supplemental appropriations bill previously sent to Gov. Whitmer. Starting March 18th, the House of Representatives is scheduled to meet one day a week as needed, and the Senate will meet as needed.
President Trump and Governor Whitmer traded barbs today, with the president accusing the governor of not working hard enough and failing to be proactive enough in addressing the outbreak. The governor responded with a timeline of her actions to date:
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3/3: Created COVID-19 task forces
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3/6: Ensured Medicaid waiver for copays & cost sharing for testing
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3/10: Declared a State of Emergency
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3/11: Recommended mitigation strategies
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3/12: Expanded access to telemedicine
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3/12: Closed all K-12 schools
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3/13: Prohibited large gatherings 250+
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3/13: Restricted entry into care facilities & juvenile justice facilities
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3/14: Enhanced restrictions on price gouging
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3/16: Closed places of public accommodation
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3/16: Prohibited large gatherings 50+
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3/16: Expanded unemployment benefits
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3/16: Lifted road weight restrictions
The governor issued another executive order this evening. The order temporarily lifts certificate of need requirements in order to allow the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to grant more licenses to hospitals and care facilities, which in turn will bring more facilities online. The order is attached. The Whitmer administration also filed a request for waiver of statewide student assessments with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a Cease and Desist letter to retailer Menards after receiving repeated complaints related to price-gouging of cleaning supplies and face masks. Additionally, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson began exploring options to protect public health during the May 5th elections. Options include voting by mail and pushing elections to August.
The State of Michigan’s COVID-19 website has been updated, and email update subscription is now available: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
On March 16th, Gov. Whitmer issued an executive order closing many public spaces. While being described as the “bar and restaurant” order, the action encompasses many more types of facilities, including:
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Theaters and other performance venues
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Casinos
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Clubs
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Gyms, fitness centers, sports facilities, recreation centers, etc.
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Spas
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Libraries and museums
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Most other recreational or entertainment facilities
The governor issued an additional executive order expanding unemployment benefits to those impacted by COVID-19, including those with childcare responsibilities resulting from school closures, unemployment related to business closures resulting from government action, and unemployment resulting from self-isolation or self-quarantine.
The governor also issued an executive order this evening revising a previous executive order limiting public gatherings. The previous order limited gatherings to fewer than 250 people. This evening’s order decreases that number to 50, bringing it in line with current federal Centers for Disease Control Guidance.
The Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan will continue to keep you updated. Check back for additional information.
Thank you to all of the participants of the
2020 Cultural Advocacy Network Advocacy Day!
