|
|
Dear Friends,
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of my monthly e-newsletter. I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy these beautiful Michigan summer days.
As our state continues to navigate these challenging times and prepares for how schools will operate this fall, please continue to share your thoughts with me at [email protected] or at 517-373-1777. My office is here for you whether you are having an issue with unemployment, need help deciphering one of the governor’s confusing executive orders, or just need someone to listen for a few minutes. I will do whatever I can to help and do my best to get you answers.
Sincerely,
|
Kevin Daley State Senator 31st District
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daley to host August office hours
|
|
|
|
|
|
I will be holding office hours with constituents across the 31st District on Friday, Aug. 21.
I will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district.
No appointment is necessary. Please come for an opportunity to discuss issues important to you!
Participants are encouraged to wear masks and maintain proper social distancing. The locations will have seating available, but please feel free to bring your own if it would make you more comfortable.
For more information visit my website at www.SenatorKevinDaley.com or call my office at 517-373-1777.
The office hours meetings will take place at the following date, times and locations:
Friday, Aug. 21 9 – 10 a.m. Lion’s Park Pavilion Corner of Blacks Corners Road and Attica Road Imlay City
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Williams Township Park Pavilion 1080 W. Midland Road Auburn
2 – 3 p.m. Lion’s Pavilion 6737 Church St. Cass City
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daley supports plan to solve state’s $2.2 billion budget shortfall
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The state has faced unprecedented budgetary pressures this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent loss of jobs and economic downturn. By working together with the state House and the governor’s office, we were able to come to an agreement that prioritized critical areas of funding and solved the massive deficit. The governor recently signed these bills into law.
I was proud to support the bipartisan budget plan to solve our $2.2 billion budget shortfall through spending cuts, hiring freezes and using a portion of the state’s “rainy day fund.” The actions also direct federal COVID-19 relief funds to education and vital services that were hit hardest by the virus.
While we have not seen eye-to-eye with the governor on many issues over the last several months, I am proud that we were able to come together on a bipartisan solution to help balance this historic mid-year deficit, all without raises taxes. These were not easy decisions to make, but by working together we were able to get it done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Masks required in Michigan businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently, Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-153, which requires the use of masks or facial coverings in any public space.
There are a few exceptions to the mask-mandate listed in the executive order, including anyone who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, those at a polling place for the purposes of voting in an election, or children younger than five, among others. The order says businesses can accept a customer’s verbal explanation that they are not wearing a face covering because they meet one of the exceptions.
The governor also recently signed another order requiring children as young as two-years-old who are attending child care to wear a face mask
While I understand the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends that Michiganders wear a face covering when outside of their home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, I don’t agree with all aspects of this executive order. I do not think businesses should be told who they can or cannot provide services to. I am confident business owners are the most capable of determining how to best serve their customers in a safe way. I trust our business owners and have long advocated for allowing businesses to determine for themselves when and how to best reopen.
We know this virus is aggressive, and we have all taken aggressive actions to combat the spread in our great state. I am proud of how Michiganders have risen to the challenge of social distancing and are implementing exceptional sanitation practices. I’m working hard to come up with fact-based solutions that are thoughtful and meaningful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
My team has been working hard to get you answers from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). We have submitted over 400 inquiries to the UIA conflict resolution team on your behalf.
If you or someone you know is struggling to get answers from the UIA, is locked out of your account, or you think you’ve been wrongfully denied benefits, please visit the website address below and fill out the required information at your earliest convenience: https://www.senatorkevindaley.com/unemployment-assistance/
Please note that when the UIA does follow up with you, they will call from a phone number with an “866” area code. They will only call twice to the phone number you provided on the form.
I understand this has been a difficult time for many, and I’m frustrated by the UIA’s slow response time and back-log of cases. Right now, the average wait time for a response from the UIA is 5-8 weeks. My team and I will continue to do our best to help in any way we can during this difficult time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senate committee passes Daley Complex Rehab Technology legislation
|
|
|
|
|
|
I introduced Senate Bill 855 to establish separate recognition for Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) within the Medicaid program to improve access to these critical products and related services for children and adults with significant disabilities.
The bill includes equipment such as complex rehabilitation manual and power wheelchairs and options or accessories, and other specialized equipment.
This legislation will create stronger safeguards and help those with severe disabilities throughout the state. The goal is to help individuals who need specifically configured medical equipment meet their needs and get the items they need to go about their daily lives. For those with severe physical disabilities, access to high quality specialized equipment is so important for improving their quality of life and minimizing health care costs.
These bills were unanimously passed out of the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services and will now be considered by the entire Senate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daley supports legislation to protect nursing home residents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to Gov. Whitmer’s executive order putting patients with COVID-19 into nursing homes, more than one-third of the state’s COVID-19 related deaths occurred among elderly people in these facilities.
The Senate has taken action on this and introduced Senate Bill 956 that would ban the admission and holding of people who have COVID-19 in any nursing home facility, unless the facility has a state-approved designated area and program to care for the patient. These deaths never should have happened, and this bill would have helped ensure that it doesn’t happen in Michigan again.
I am proud to have voted yes on this legislation in an effort to protect our most vulnerable loved ones. This bill passed both the Senate and House of Representatives before being vetoed by the governor. I am disappointed to see that she isn’t taking this situation more seriously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now that the delayed income tax deadline has come and gone, are you waiting for a refund from the state of Michigan?
You can check the status of your refund by visiting this site. You’ll need your social security number, filing status, the appropriate tax year and your adjusted gross income or total household resources.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be mindful of high water, beach warnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
Time on the water with family and friends is one of the best things about the Great Lakes State, but safety must come first. Fluctuating water levels can put even the strongest swimmers in danger, conceal hazards like fallen tree limbs or rocks and make it difficult to navigate under low-hanging objects or around logjams.
It’s important to understand the risks of high-water areas, pay attention to the beach-flag warnings and always wear a life jacket during any water activity. Click here for more information on how to stay safe while out on the water.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celebrating a special occasion?
|
|
|
|
|
|
My office is happy to offer legislative tributes in honor of noteworthy events such as retirement, anniversaries of businesses in our community, awards and public recognitions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
State government resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan's 31st Senate District
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 31th state Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senator Kevin Daley 5200 Connie B. Binsfeld Office Building P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: 517-373-1777 FAX: 517-373-5871
E-Mail: [email protected] |
|
Visit my website at: SenatorKevinDaley.com |
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 31st District E-news. You may sign up for it at my website.
|
|
|
|
|
|