IMPORTANT BUSINESS UPDATE
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Judge Affirms Whitmer's Authority to Extend COVID-19 Emergency; Legislature to Appeal
Beth LeBlanc, The Detroit News
A Court of Claims judge ruled Thursday that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had the legal authority to extend Michigan's state of emergency under the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act, a ruling GOP leaders vow to appeal.
But Judge Cynthia Stephens noted the governor exceeded her authority by trying to extend the emergency under the Emergency Management Act of 1976, which requires legislative authority.
But Stephens upheld the constitutionality of the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945.
The ruling overrides the argument from the Republican-led House and Senate that Whitmer had no authority to extend the coronavirus state of emergency past April without legislative approval.
The extension under the Emergency Management Act provided liability protections for health care workers during the pandemic, and it's not clear whether those protections stand after the judge ruled Whitmer exceeded her authority. The Legislature currently is considering bills extending those liability protections that could perhaps take the place of the protections afforded under the Emergency Management Act.
The Thursday decision recognized the lawfulness of the governor's actions during the pandemic, her office said in a statement.
"She will continue to do what she’s always done: take careful, decisive actions to protect Michiganders from this unprecedented, global pandemic," the statement said. "We owe it to our front-line heroes who have been putting their lives on the line to pull together as a state and work as one team to stop the spread of this virus."
Stephens' ruling also established the Legislature did have standing to bring the case. Whitmer had argued lawmakers had no more standing than a member of the public.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, said Thursday the Legislature was "disappointed" by parts of the ruling but promised to appeal the decision.
"We are vindicated in our assertion that the governor acted unlawfully in attempting to extend the states of emergency and disaster under the Emergency Management Act without legislative approval," he said. "We are confident in our position and will appeal this ruling,"
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Saginaw Chamber joins US Chamber in Urging Members to Advocate with Senators for Inclusion of 501 (c)(6) Organizations in the Paycheck Protection Program
The Senate, under the leadership of Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and the Senate Small Business Committee, may take action to pass a bill that includes revisions to the Paycheck Protection Program that would extend the period in which small businesses can use the funds. We urge you to reach out to your Senators immediately to encourage them to add language that makes all nonprofits, including 501(c)(6) organizations, eligible for this critical financial relief.
Additionally, next week, the House of Representative is expected to consider the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act (H.R. 6886). This bipartisan bill from Reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Chip Roy (R-TX) modifies certain loan forgiveness requirements under the Paycheck Protection Program. For example, the bill eliminates the limitation on non-payroll expenses counting towards loan forgiveness and extends the 8-week window for eligible expenses. However, the bill does NOT address the existing restrictions affecting 501(c)(6) organizations and other nonprofits. We have reached out to the authors to ask them to include all non-profits. We have been told that it would be helpful if more members heard this request from their constituents.
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Governor Whitmer Reopens Auto Dealerships and Retail Businesses by Appointment, Authorizes Nonessential Medical, Dental and Veterinary Procedures
On Thursday, 5-21-20, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-96 to reopen retail businesses and auto dealerships by appointment statewide beginning Tuesday, May 26, as part of her MI Safe Start plan. The governor’s executive order also lifts the requirement that health care providers delay some nonessential medical, dental, and veterinary procedures statewide beginning on Friday, May 29. The order also authorizes small gatherings of 10 people or less starting immediately, as long as participants practice social distancing.
“The data shows that Michigan is ready to phase in these sectors of our economy, but we must stay vigilant and ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer.
“As businesses continue to reopen, it’s crucial that they adopt strict safety measures to protect their employees, customers, and their families,” said MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “I know that as medical professionals begin offering nonessential procedures again, they will do everything in their power to protect patients and their families from COVID-19. I will continue to work with Governor Whitmer and our partners across Michigan to protect our families and lower the chance of a second wave.”
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Governor Adds Safeguards to Protect Michigan's Workers from COVID-19
Executive Order 2020-97, updates a prior rule on workplace safety. Per the amended order, reopened outpatient health-care facilities, including clinics, primary care physician offices, and dental offices, will have to adopt strict protocols to prevent infection. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will issue guidance to aid those facilities in adopting appropriate safeguards.
As before, businesses maintaining in-person activities must adopt social distancing practices and other mitigation measures to protect workers. They must, among other things, provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.
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Saginaw County Flooding Resources
Please find below a list of resources for those effected by flooding in Saginaw County, for the most up to date information
visit our website
.
FLOOD INFORMATION
RESOURCES
2-1-1 of Northeast Michigan connects people in need with people who can help with food, shelter, rent and utility assistance, legal resources, VA benefits, substance abuse services and more. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, completely confidential. DIAL 211 on your phone; TEXT your ZIP to TXT211; CHAT online via web
www.211nemichigan.org/get-help.html
or SEARCH the Community Resource Directory
SHELTER
Emergency Shelter (as of 5/21/20)
Center Courts. 4980 Shattuck Rd., Saginaw, 989-791-9800
Hemlock High School, 733 N. Hemlock Road, Hemlock
Swan Valley High School, 8400 O’Hern Road, Saginaw
VOLUNTEER
United Way of Saginaw County is working with community partners in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the recent flooding in Saginaw County. Volunteers are needed at all levels of support.
Sign up and get involved.
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Resources for Business and the Community
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The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of federal, state, and local resources that provide aid and information for your business, employees and our community during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. This information is ever-changing, please check the Chamber's
website,
Facebook, and your email frequently.
We will add links, resources, and updates as information becomes available. We are also converting our At A Glance Newsletter to include Coronavirus links and information as well as local updates, job availability, member coupons and most importantly Member News. Please let us know what your business is doing and how you are functioning during this uncertain time. We need to stay connected and support each other.
Reopening Plan Templates, Playbooks, and Best Practices can be found on the Saginaw Chamber/Saginaw Future joint
Reopening Business Playbook page.
If you are offering a service to help the Saginaw County Community or local businesses weather this storm, please email your information to
info@saginawchamber.org.
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Send us your Member News
Post your Job Openings
Find Coronavirus Information
Stay Connected!
Please share this page with anyone who might need a source for information or connection.
Thank you and stay healthy.
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