Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order ending in-person K-12 instruction for the 2019-20 school year. Under Executive Order 2020-35, schools will shift to distance learning formats to ensure our students are as fully prepared as possible for the next school year.

The top priority is the health of our students, teachers and administrative staff. At this time, bringing students together in a classroom environment simply poses too many health risks for everyone.

Instead, school districts will shift to distance learning formats to ensure Michigan students receive an education for the remainder of this school year. Many teachers and parents have been doing outstanding work to ensure our children have been continuing their education through distance learning since their schools were closed. I fully recognize the hard work and ingenuity of our teachers and parents, and I strongly believe there should be a mechanism to count this time toward instructional requirements.

The governor’s executive order requires each district to submit a detailed plan indicating how they will achieve distance learning. I support this, as parents deserve to know how schools will fully prepare their children for the next grade level or their seniors for college.

As we face this unprecedented challenge, we must do everything we can and provide all necessary resources — whether it be tutoring, remedial support or other tools — to ensure that every student is fully prepared for the next step in their academic careers.

Other recent executive orders include:

Additional information on the governor’s executive orders and other state news can be found here.

The Michigan Department of Treasury has made my office aware that the IRS has now released stimulus payment information.

The main questions I've received have been related to when payments will be distributed. According to this release, economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people.

Don’t hesitate to contact my office at [email protected] or 1-855-347-8034 if you have other questions.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order on April 2 setting a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for those who violate the governor’s executive orders banning gatherings and non-essential businesses.

The emergency order requires all Michiganders to comply with the procedures and restrictions outlined in the following executive orders.

Additionally, businesses who are regulated by the state, or require state licensure to operate that violate these mandates will be referred to applicable licensing agencies for additional enforcement that is determined by the governing agency.

I was happy to hear the governor announce that she has signed two of my bills into state law.

Senate Bill 711, now Public Act 80 of 2020 codifies into law a licensing process, giving Michigan breweries the ability to import beer and further manufacture it in their facility. The legislation also outlines additional guidelines for such collaborations.

The issue was brought to me by La Colombe, whose headquarters is in my district, when they encountered a licensing issue with a product they had already invested time and resources in. They chose to participate in the legislative process and I am happy that we were able to reach a solution that will allow Michigan companies to thrive! You can read more about this legislation on my website.

The governor also signed my legislation that would aid local officials in completing their administrative duties and ensuring they adequately represent the residents who elected them to office.

Senate Bill 712, now Public Act 81 of 2020, would amend the General Law Village Act to give local governments certain tools to help resolve situations like the ongoing issue happening in Hesperia. The council is unable to reach a quorum due to the actions of certain council members and the community is being held hostage. The new law will allow a council’s presiding officer to require absent members to attend a regular or special meeting if the village is unable to achieve a quorum for 60 consecutive calendar days. If a village fails to compel an absent member to attend a meeting under ordinary circumstances, the absent member shall be guilty of gross neglect of duty, which is a precursor for the governor to consider removal. You can read more on my website.