MLC October 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 October Updates.

MLC August Updates

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Tuesday, October 20 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN
  • Weekly Cases: 11,341
  • Total Cases: 147,806
  • Weekly Deaths: 133
  • Total Deaths: 7,031
OHIO
  • Weekly Cases: 12,676
  • Total Cases: 172,997
  • Weekly Deaths: 70
  • Total Deaths: 4,767
INDIANA
  • Weekly Cases: 12,611
  • Total Cases: 149,166
  • Weekly Deaths: 159
  • Total Deaths: 3,727
ILLINOIS
  • Weekly Cases: 25,269
  • Total Cases: 347,161
  • Weekly Deaths: 239
  • Total Deaths: 9,236
WISCONSIN
  • Weekly Cases: 21,699
  • Total Cases: 173,891
  • Weekly Deaths: 126
  • Total Deaths: 1,600

Federal Update From our Partners at Foley & Lardner

  • This Wednesday, the Senate will vote once again on the Republican “skinny” $500 billion COVID relief proposal. That bill is likely to fail again, as Democrats have argued that the Republican plan is not large enough to provide the help needed for the economy and for struggling citizens. Republicans have expressed concerns over the national debt as a reason not to pursue a larger relief package. Meanwhile, Speaker Pelosi set a deadline of tomorrow for the Democrats and the White House to finalize a stimulus deal prior to the election.
  • With less than three weeks until the presidential election, Biden’s campaign has released a variety of updated campaign plans. Biden has offered more than 50 tax proposals and most recently, his proposals have decreased significantly. According to the Tax Policy Center, his original tax hike proposal of $4 trillion has decreased to $2.4 trillion. This is due to their assumption that it will take until Jan. 1, 2022 to actually become effective.
  • Polls remain strong for Democrats, who are favored to take control of the Presidency and the Senate while retaining control of the House of Representatives. The Real Clear Politics National Average poll has Biden leading by nearly nine points.

Governor Signs Rule Allowing Remote Hearings

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an emergency rule allowing the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to conduct remote hearings. While the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules has administrated authority to continue to conduct hearings by telephone or video conference, the current ruleset did not apply to administrative hearings held on behalf of MERC and the MPSC.

To read the full emergency rule, please click here.

Michigan Articles

  • The Department of Health and Human Services announced a $3.9 million project funded through the CARES Act that offers retention payments to newly hired direct care workers. Click here to read more.
  • Governor Whitmer signed emergency rules clarifying workers’ compensation coverage for health care workers and first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19. Click here to read more.
  • The Michigan Liquor Control Commission announced its Enforcement Division will be monitoring compliance with the epidemic order issued in relation to face coverings and occupancy limits. Click here to read more.
  • The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued emergency rules that employers are required to follow to protect employees from COVID-19. Click here to read more.

National Articles

  • Given the rising case numbers across the U.S., it appears the country is headed into another surge of cases and hospitalizations.
  • The coronavirus is killing more men than women, several factors are at play. Click here to read more.
  • Scientists have learned that stopping super spreader events may be key to slowing the pandemic. Click here to read more.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

Tuesday, October 13 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN
  • Weekly Cases: 7,542
  • Total Cases: 136,465
  • Weekly Deaths: 82
  • Total Deaths: 6,898
OHIO
  • Weekly Cases: 9,560
  • Total Cases: 160,321
  • Weekly Deaths: 75
  • Total Deaths: 4,697
INDIANA
  • Weekly Cases: 10,579
  • Total Cases: 136,555
  • Weekly Deaths: 114
  • Total Deaths: 3,568
ILLINOIS
  • Weekly Cases: 18,498
  • Total Cases: 321,892
  • Weekly Deaths: 192
  • Total Deaths: 8,997
WISCONSIN
  • Weekly Cases: 17,833
  • Total Cases: 152,192
  • Weekly Deaths: 93
  • Total Deaths: 1,474

Federal Update From our Partners at Foley & Lardner

Late last week, Republicans and Democrats both admitted that a new COVID aid package will be, at best, extremely difficult to write and pass prior to the election. President Trump first called off negotiations and more recently has told sources he is interested in a more robust package. As of last Sunday morning, White House officials are calling on Congress to redirect unused funding from previous stimulus packages for a new round of stimulus checks. Secretary Mnuchin and Speaker Pelosi will continue to meet this week to discuss possible options.

The Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a current judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, started in-person Monday morning, with a few members including VP candidate Kamala Harris (D-CA) choosing to participate remotely. Barrett will sit through a number of hearings conducted by the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Opening statements will be followed by two days of questioning on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The committee plans to vote on the nomination on October 22, which is expected to be approved by the Republican majority.

As campaigning intensifies leading up to election day on November 3, what was the second of three debates has been canceled. The Commission on Presidential Debates deemed it unsafe to continue with in-person debating following the President’s positive COVID test two weeks ago, and the White House rejected the offer for a virtual model. According to Real Clear Politics’ National Average of polls, Former Vice President Biden currently leads by 10 points.

Department Issues Emergency Order

Following the Michigan Supreme Court ruling striking down Governor Whitmer’s emergency authority, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order, containing many of the same items that were in prior executive orders.

The Emergency Order includes a requirement that masks must be worn in businesses, offices, schools, childcare facilities, sporting events, and other non-residential events. It sets capacity limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Creates a requirement that face coverings must be worn at organized sports, among other requirements. For more information, please click here.

Michigan Articles

  • The City of Detroit issued a Public Health Order requiring face masks, setting capacity limits in bars and restaurants, and more. Click here to read more.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order setting requirements for populations and staff in residential care settings. Click here to read more.
  • A new program was announced to help low-income residents have access to water in their homes to ensure safety during the pandemic. Click here to read more.

National Articles

  • A former director of the CDC is warning the nation could have another 20,000 possible deaths by the end of October. Click here to read more.
  • The latest research indicates COVID-19 can live on certain surfaces for up to 28 days. Click here to read more.
  • Ten days after testing positive for the virus, President Trump’s campaign manager is back in the office. 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 October Updates. Additionally, we will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.

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