Governor Extends State of Emergency Through July 16
Governor Gretchen Whitmer yesterday issued Executive Order 2020-127, extending Michigan’s state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic to July 16. The state of emergency was previously set to expire today.
Legislature Passes COVID-19 Spending Bill
The Michigan House and Senate unanimously passed legislation this week dedicating $880 million in mostly federal dollars to various efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the final passed bill did not include an MMA-supported backstop to support the rapidly draining Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, it includes several programs of interest to manufacturers:
- $115 million for small business restart grants,
- $8.55 million for a MIOSHA grant program to help employers with 250 or fewer employees purchase safety and health-related equipment, and
- $29 million to grow staff resources at the Unemployment Insurance Agency, which has experienced historic claims volume during the international crisis.
Governor Whitmer applauded the passage of this bipartisan initiative and is expected to sign the bill into law soon. Contact MMA’s David Worthams, at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org, for more information on this supplemental appropriations bill.
Order Issued on Workers’ Comp for COVID-19 Response Employees
Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-125 expanding the types of employees who are granted a rebuttal presumption that, if diagnosed with COVID-19, would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Health care, correctional and first response workers covered by the presumption are listed specifically in the order.
While manufacturing employees aren’t directly impacted by the order or the emergency rules that were issued previous to this order imposing a workers’ comp presumption for front line COVID-19 workers, the precedent of this action is of concern to MMA. The Government Affairs team is staying vigilant against any further expansion of this policy that would impact the industry.
Contact MMA’s David Worthams, at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org, for more on this and other employment and workforce policy issues.
Resources for Manufacturers
Stay updated and compliant with the many changes imposed over the last few weeks. Find state, federal and member resources on MMA’s COVID-19 Resource Page.