COVID-19 November Updates: Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Newsletter

MLC November UPDATES

The Michigan Legislative Consultants (MLC) is sharing the latest updates with our members informed on what’s happening at the State Capitol in our MLC November Updates.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Monday, November 30 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 46,233
• Total Cases: 360,449
• Weekly Deaths: 591
• Total Deaths: 9,134

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 54,317
• Total Cases: 398,371
• Weekly Deaths: 374
• Total Deaths: 6,009

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 38,064
• Total Cases: 338,997
• Weekly Deaths: 389
• Total Deaths: 5,456

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 61,684
• Total Cases: 726,304
• Weekly Deaths: 726
• Total Deaths: 12,278

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 29,464
• Total Cases: 387,235
• Weekly Deaths: 302
• Total Deaths: 3,313

Federal Update From our Partners at Foley & Lardner

• While House Democrats will hold their majority going into the 117th Congress, their lead has narrowed significantly, losing at least 10 seats (currently, 222 Democrats – 206 Republicans); of the seven races left to be called, at least four will likely be called for the Republican challenger or incumbent. Many moderate Democratic members who narrowly won their seats or were defeated blame progressives who describe themselves as Democratic Socialists or support issues like defunding the police movement, while a few others blame Speaker Pelosi. The smaller Democratic margin will complicate negotiations within the caucus.
• With just 10 working days scheduled for the remainder of the 116th Congress, legislators have three big agenda items: an omnibus spending package for FY2021, coronavirus relief legislation, and the National Defense Authorization Act. Of those matters, an omnibus spending package is the most likely to be passed. Fruitless Coronavirus negotiations have been ongoing since mid-July. Meanwhile, President Trump has threatened to veto any NDAA bill that includes instructions for renaming military bases that are currently named in honor of Confederate generals.
• Last week, the House and Senate reached an agreement on the spending allocations for each of the 12 appropriations bills. They must finalize spending and bill text, and then vote on what will likely be one large omnibus package. Government spending is set to expire on Dec. 11, so a shutdown would occur on Dec. 12 if no deal has been reached.

Governor Whitmer Urges $100 Million State Relief Plan

In response to the pandemic, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging the state legislature to pass a $100 million COVID-19 relief plan this December. In a letter to legislative leaders, the governor called for a number of actions she’s requesting them to take during December’s lame-duck session. In addition to the funding for small businesses and families, she’s asking they pass a statewide mask mandate, permanently extend unemployment benefits, and other public health-related items, such as addressing hospital staffing, testing, and ensuring there is enough PPE equipment.

Michigan Articles

• The vaccine made by Pfizer may be in Michigan by mid-December. Click here to read more.
• If necessary, Governor Whitmer stated she has the authority to issue a second stay at home order. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• Across the country, state legislators are upset that governors are taking action against the pandemic without consulting or including them. Click here to read more.
• Health experts are very concerned about a large surge in cases as a result of Thanksgiving travel and get-togethers. Click here to read more.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Monday, November 23, 2020.

Monday, November 23 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 49,640
• Total Cases: 314,216
• Weekly Deaths: 494
• Total Deaths: 8,543

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 54,461
• Total Cases: 344,054
• Weekly Deaths: 248
• Total Deaths: 5,635

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 44,169
• Total Cases: 300,913
• Weekly Deaths: 381
• Total Deaths: 5,067

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 79,372
• Total Cases: 664,620
• Weekly Deaths: 773
• Total Deaths: 11,552

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 41,013
• Total Cases: 357,771
• Weekly Deaths: 362
• Total Deaths: 3,011

Federal Update From our Partners at Foley & Lardner

• As of Monday morning, all but five House races have been announced. Republicans picked up 12 seats across the country, beating out many Democrats in toss-up districts and forcing out many one-term members, with the potential for a few more. Races in CA-21, CA-25, IA-02, and NY-22 are too close to call, while LA-05 is headed to a run-off in January.
• Both Georgia Senate races are headed for run-off elections on January 5, 2021, because of a rule in the state that requires the additional election if none of the candidates win 50% of the vote. Traditionally Georgia runoffs favor Republicans since Democrats have a difficult time generating turnout in non-presidential races. With the balance of the Senate riding on both races, tensions over the President’s challenging the outcome of the election in Georgia and other states, and potentially highly motivated voters on both sides, the races are likely to be some of the most expensive and competitive to date.
• Late last week, President-election Joe Biden and Vice President-election Kamala Harris met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in Delaware to discuss the transition, relations between the branches, and possibilities for a stimulus package. As outlined in his agenda for the first 100 days in office, Biden aims to work closely with the House and Senate to pass a stimulus bill that will provide resources for economic recovery across the country. Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) and the GOP Senate are in support of a $500 billion package, while Democrats are aiming for closer to $2 trillion.

MIOSHA Offering Safety Consultations

Businesses can receive free COVID-19 safety consultations from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and NSF International. A program ambassador will help identify and implement solutions in a specific workplace free of charge.

The visits are targeted to at-risk industries: retail stores, restaurants, and gyms. Additionally, businesses can receive free education toolkits to help them review their current workplace safety and health procedures to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For more information, please visit Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.

Michigan Articles

• Over the weekend, Michigan surpassed 300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Click here to read more.
• Detroit is extending its outdoor dining program through April 1, 2021, to help restaurants. Click here to read more.
• The state’s Coronavirus website will begin reporting on the turn-around time for test results. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• Experts are concerned that family gatherings over Thanksgiving could greatly increase the number of cases across the country. Click here to read more.
• Sunday marked the 20th straight day the U.S. had more than 100,000 new confirmed cases. Click here to read more.
• Leadership elections, swearing-in, and other aspects of the 117th Congress will be different than normal in January. Click here to read more.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Monday, November 16, 2020.

Monday, November 16 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 47,772
• Total Cases: 264,576
• Weekly Deaths: 409
• Total Deaths: 8,049

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 48,498
• Total Cases: 289,593
• Weekly Deaths: 194
• Total Deaths: 5,387

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 42,235
• Total Cases: 256,744
• Weekly Deaths: 268
• Total Deaths: 4,686

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 86,688
• Total Cases: 585,248
• Weekly Deaths: 569
• Total Deaths: 10,779

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 44,988
• Total Cases: 316,758
• Weekly Deaths: 320
• Total Deaths: 2,649

Federal Update From our Partners at Foley & Lardner

• With just a little over two months to go until he takes office, President-elect Biden has started naming his team. He announced last week that he has chosen former Obama Administration official Ronald Klain to be his Chief of Staff. Additionally, he named a coronavirus task force to advise him on handling the incoming administration’s public messaging and developed and named a separate transition team dedicated to coordinating the coronavirus response across the government.
• Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee led by Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) released 12 proposed spending bills for FY2021. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has confirmed that the Senate will focus on passing an omnibus of government funding bills, as the continuing resolution passed last month is set to expire on December 11, 2020. The House passed their version of the package several months ago; Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) has said that she and McConnell agree that compromise on a funding package is necessary in order to avoid a government shutdown.
• With the surge of COVID cases across the country and the statements from state and local government officials that they do not have enough money to administer upcoming vaccines, there may be pressure on Congress to act on a COVID relief bill before Biden takes office on January 20, 2021. Democrats continue to hold steady with $2.4 trillion in spending as their starting point for negotiations with the White House and Republicans. Republicans are nowhere near agreement because of the growing deficit and because of many doubt that an additional stimulus package is needed at all.

Governor Announces Temporary Restrictions

Given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the state, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a series of restrictions. The restrictions, issued through an epidemic order by the Department of Health and Human Services will take effect on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. and last through December 8. Restrictions include limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings, a ban on dining indoors and restaurants, and the closure of high schools, colleges, and universities. For more information, please click here.

Michigan Articles

• Governor Whitmer is again calling on the Federal government to provide additional financial aid to unemployed individuals. Click here to read more.
• Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan provided an update on the city’s response to the pandemic. Click here to read more.
• Legislative leaders have responded to the state’s new round of restrictions announced yesterday. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• Congressman Tim Walberg is the second member of Michigan’s Congressional delegation to announce he’s tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read more.
• New protocols have been announced for Congressional members and staff. Click here to read more.
• A second promising vaccine was announced, what are the next steps? Click here to read more.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

Tuesday, November 10 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 31,915
• Total Cases: 216,804
• Weekly Deaths: 283
• Total Deaths: 7,640

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 31,821
• Total Cases: 241,095
• Weekly Deaths: 167
• Total Deaths: 5,193

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 29,324
• Total Cases: 214,509
• Weekly Deaths: 268
• Total Deaths: 4,418

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 75,058
• Total Cases: 498,560
• Weekly Deaths: 400
• Total Deaths: 10,210

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 39,474
• Total Cases: 271,770
• Weekly Deaths: 279
• Total Deaths: 2,329

Federal Update From our Partners at Foley & Lardner

• Over the weekend, Joe Biden won the election to become the 46th President of the United States. The Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, is the first female to be elected into the Executive branch. President-elect Biden’s first order of business came Monday morning when he announced a 13-member task force to combat the country’s COVID-19 pandemic.
• Both of Georgia’s Senate races are headed to a runoff election, which will be held on Jan. 5, 2021. As it stands currently, the Senate race is tied at 48-48, though the GOP is expected to pick up two seats in as-yet-called North Carolina and Alaska. The incumbent Republicans Kelly Loeffler (appointed following Johnny Isakson’s retirement last December) and David Perdue will again face Rev. Raphael Warnock (D) and Jon Ossoff (D).
• House Democrats lost at least seven incumbents in an unexpected upset election. Democrats will hold the majority, but there will likely be much less room for intra-party divisiveness. On a call last week, several Democrats who either lost or narrowly won their elections voiced issues with their far-left progressive counterparts.
• With the start of the lame-duck session, Senate appropriators plan to release all 12 of their fiscal 2021 spending bills tomorrow, Tuesday. Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Leader McConnell (R-KY) agree that they want a full omnibus spending deal passed by Dec. 11, rather than another stopgap measure. A COVID package seems less likely to get passed before the start of the 117th Congress next year.

Department Issues Workplace Safety Guidance

The Department of Health and Human Services released recommendations for employers on how to keep workplaces safe. Office settings make up 5% of documented outbreaks, and 7% of new outbreaks in just the last week. Given the overall rising number of cases, the department outlined steps employers should take to help ensure their employees are working in the safest possible manner.

To read the workplace safety recommendations, please click here.

Michigan Articles

• Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is bracing for surging cases and an increasing need for hospital care. Click here to read more.
• Southeast Michigan is seeing a rising number of case numbers. Click here to read more.
• On Saturday, Michigan set a new one-day high for the number of new cases. Click here to read more.
• Michigan announced the statewide rollout of MI COVID Alert, a COVID-19 exposure app. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• As cases continue to rise, here’s information on cases and death throughout the country. Click here to see the data.
• The U.S. has surpassed 10 million cases. Click here to read more.
• President-elect Joe Biden announced his COVID-19 Task Force. Click here to read more.

Additionally, the following website is a source for updated information from the administration.

STAY UPDATED

While these are very uncertain times, know the MLC Team, along with POAM, is available to answer your questions regarding this MLC November Updates. Additionally, we will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.

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