Executive Order 2020-165 extends the governor’s emergency and disaster declaration until September 4, 2020 at 11:59pm.

Every region in Michigan has seen an uptick in new cases over the past several weeks, and daily case counts in late July exceeded 50 cases per million statewide. Michigan’s statewide positivity rate has also increased, from a low of 2% in mid-June to 3.5% in late July. The increase in cases reflects a national trend: COVID-19 cases are growing or holding steady in 40 states and deaths from COVID-19 are increasing in most of those states as well. While cases in Michigan have increased since June, our numbers are below the national average, with roughly a 3.5% positivity rate in Michigan compared to 9% nationally, and considerably lower than surrounding states.

The health, economic, and social harms of the COVID-19 pandemic remain widespread and severe, and they continue to constitute a statewide emergency and disaster. Though local health departments have some limited capacity to respond to cases as they arise within their jurisdictions, state emergency operations are necessary to bring this pandemic under control in Michigan and to build and maintain infrastructure to stop the spread of COVID-19, trace infections, and quickly direct additional resources to hot-spots as they emerge. 

Thank you for your leadership and continued work to protect Americans, stabilize the economy,

and ensure the survival of key institutions and sectors during this challenging time. We

represent a group of 205 chambers of commerce from all 50 states working with employers and

businesses of all sizes and industries to respond to our national public health crisis.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided much-needed relief

to many of our members, however, in practice, there are critical gaps in the CARES Act that

failed to meet the needs of important organizations in our communities. An American Alliance of

Museums survey found that nearly a third of museums surveyed fear possible permanent

closure as soon as this Fall.¹ Americans for the Arts estimates the total economic impact on Arts

& Culture organizations to be $9.1 billion in losses to date, with an additional $10.4 billion in

event-related spending by arts consumers at local businesses (restaurants, lodging, retail) due

to the loss of more than 327 million visitors since the start of the crisis.² If cultural institutions like

aquariums, zoos, performance centers, and museums are to survive this crisis, we request that

the U.S. Congress work swiftly to enact the following provisions:

Governor Whitmer vetoed Senate Bill 899. Legislation that, according to a Detroit News article by Beth LeBlanc, would increase liability protections for more health care workers and facilities that lawmakers said faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The same article states that opponents argue the bill ultimately shields insurance companies that should be held accountable for "bad actors" responsible for infection spread and deaths during the pandemic.

 

In the News article, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called the bill "bad policy" and an attempt to "paper over" the GOP-led Legislature's ongoing attempt to sidestep her emergency powers.

According to a press release from the Office of Governor Whitmer, Senate Bill 899 would make patients receiving treatment at a hospital and residents in nursing homes powerless to seek relief when they are harmed in any but the most egregious cases, regardless of the type of emergency or disaster declared by the Governor.

The Emergency Management Act provides limited immunity from lawsuits to medical providers, activated only upon an official request, such as Governor Whitmer made at the peak of COVID-19 in Michigan. SB 899 would made this immunity automatic, even when the emergency or disaster did not call for setting aside the normal standards of care.

Register for free at: bit.ly/misbdc-flood-webinar

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-167 creating the Food Security Council within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Council is tasked with identifying and analyzing the origins of and solutions for food insecurity in Michigan and with helping Governor Whitmer work to ensure all Michiganders, no matter their socioeconomic status, can put food on the table for themselves and their families.

“COVID-19 has magnified the effects and challenges of food insecurity and increased the number of Michigan residents who struggle with the toxic stress of being food insecure. This is a non-partisan challenge, and while multi-layered, it is solvable for the second most diverse agricultural state in the U.S.,” said Phil Knight, chair of the Food Security Council. “Creating food security is the first step towards self-sufficiency, and while it starts in the field, it is sustained in the workplace."

The Council will consist of the superintendent of public instruction and the directors of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Labor and Economic Opportunity, or their designees. In addition, the Governor is appointing 16 members representing various sectors affected by and/or working towards a solution for food insecurity in Michigan, such as the health care, agriculture, education, business, and nonprofit sectors.

Amy Baker, of Pentwater, is the quality management director at Peterson Farms. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Labor Relations from Michigan State University.  

 

Patrice Brown, of Detroit, is a food access manager for Eastern Market. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan. 

 

Alex Canepa, of Ann Arbor, is the state policy manager for the Fair Food Network. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Trinity College of Dublin and a Master of Arts in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology from the University of Oxford.  

 

Kimberly Schriever Edsenga, of Grand Rapids, is the senior counsel for Meijer, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan. 

 

Juan A. Escareño, Jr., of Detroit, is the director of government and community relations for the Midwest Independent Retailers Association. He previously served as executive vice president and recording secretary for the UFCW Local 876.  

 

Phillip B. Knight, Ph.D., of Fenton, is the executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the radio host of “Food for Thought” on WJR 760 AM. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Wesley College, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Liberty University, and a Ph.D. from Trinity University. The Governor has designated Dr. Knight to serve as Chair of the Council.  

 

Diana E. Marin, of Ann Arbor, is the supervising attorney for farmworkers and immigrant workers rights at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University. 

 

Dawn S. Medley, of Lathrup Village, is the associate vice president of enrollment management and the chief enrollment officer at Wayne State University. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science in Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, and an Education Specialist in Higher Education Leadership from Linwood University.  

 

Kenneth P. Nobis, of Saint Johns, is the co-owner and operator of Nobis Dairy Farms, a senior advisor and former president of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, and a current member of the Michigan Dairy Marketing Program Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Biology from Western Michigan University. 

 

Delicia J. Pruitt, M.D., of Bay City, is the medical director of the Saginaw County Health Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Medicine from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. 

 

Todd J. Regis, of Flat Rock, is the vice president and director of legislative and community affairs for UFCW Local 951 and the director of their foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Michigan University.  

 

Tammy A. Rosa, of Gladstone, is a nutrition program quality assurance specialist and caregiver programs manager for the Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Dietetics and Nutrition from Central Michigan University.  

 

Michelle M. Schulte, of Suttons Bay, is a program director for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching from Ferris State University and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Lake Superior State University.  

 

Laurie Solotorow, of Birmingham, is the director of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University.  

 

Wade Syers, of Muskegon, is a food safety educator for Michigan State University Extension. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Science in Food Safety from Michigan State University.  

 

Pam Yager, of Okemos, is the social mission manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan.  

 

The Council will also consist of four non-voting members of the Michigan Legislature: Senator Kevin Daley nominated by the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Winnie Brinks nominated by the Senate Minority Leader, Representative Pauline Wendzel nominated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Representative Angela Witwer nominated by the House Minority Leader. 

 

The Food Policy Council will identify and analyze the nature, scope, and causes of food insecurity in Michigan. The Council will identify and assess evidence-based policies to decrease food insecurity both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, analyze the return on investment to policies that decrease food insecurity, and review and make recommendations regarding how resources and efforts can be best coordinated, implemented, and effectively supplemented. The Council must prepare and submit a final report to the Governor in two stages, with the first stage due in 3 months and focused on short-term findings and recommendations related to food insecurity and COVID-19. The Council must issue its full, final report within 18 months, and will dissolve 90 days after doing so.  

 

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Under Executive Order 2020-166, employers must treat employees who stay home when they are sick as if he or she were taking medical leave. Any and all Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 or who display one or more of the principal symptoms, such as a fever, sore throat, a new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, and new loss of taste or smell should stay home. Individuals must remain home until 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without medication or 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or were tested positive. 

 

As a rule, if an individual has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or has had close contact with a confirmed positive case they should only leave their home for essential trips, to obtain food, medicine, or medical care. Additionally, they may leave to partake in an outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreational activity consistent with remaining at least six feet from others.

The order reinstates previously ordered protections issued during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As reported in The Hill By Morgan Chalfant, Naomi Jagoda and Brett Samuels

President Trump on Saturday signed orders to extend unemployment benefits, suspend payroll taxes, and offer federal eviction and student loan relief, taking unilateral action that is on shaky legal ground amid stalled negotiations about a fifth round of Coronavirus relief in Congress. 

The president announced the slew of executive actions from his private club in Bedminster, N.J., where he spent the weekend after lawmakers on Capitol Hill were unable to reach an agreement with White House negotiators.

The president was not physically present for any of the talks over the last few weeks, but has said he received regular updates from his staff.

One memo extends the enhanced unemployment benefits that expired roughly two weeks ago and have been critical to millions of Americans out of work due to the pandemic. The benefits will be lowered from $600 to $400 per week, with states required to cover 25 percent of the cost, Trump said.

Another of the orders directs the Treasury Department to allow employers to defer payment of employee-side Social Security payroll taxes through the end of 2020 for Americans earning less than about $100,000 annually. The text of the executive order states that the intended deferral period would start Sept. 1, but Trump suggested that it could be retroactive to Aug. 1. Trump also said that he hoped to forgive the deferred payroll taxes and make permanent payroll tax cuts if he is reelected in November.

“If I win, I may extend and terminate,” Trump said. “In other words, I’ll extend it beyond the end of the year and terminate the tax.”

Two additional orders defer student loan payments through the end of the year and aim to minimize evictions from federal housing, though the latter does not explicitly halt evictions.

"Through these four actions my administration will provide vital relief to Americans struggling during this difficult time,” Trump said, reading from prepared remarks.

Experts have questioned Trump’s authority to unilaterally intervene on unemployment benefits and the payroll tax, and his actions on Saturday may face legal challenges. But Trump shrugged off questions about the the legality of the orders late Friday.

"I mean, everything you do, you get sued," he said. "So we’ll see. Yeah, probably we get sued, but people feel that we can do it."