The annual May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference this morning gave lawmakers and the administration a clearer idea of what state revenues are looking like as the coronavirus rocks the state’s economy and places a strain on current and future budgets.

Today’s revenue estimating conference confirms what we feared but knew was coming. The financial impact of the coronavirus has resulted in a catastrophic economic downturn. Decreases in tax revenue paired with a massive influx of residents needing state assistance have created a hole in our budget.

Our economy was strong before this crisis, but now 1.7 million people have lost their paychecks and state revenues reflect this unfortunate setback from the estimates we saw earlier this year.

Lawmakers are facing a more than $3 billion loss in revenue from the January estimates. When compared to early-2020 estimates, the state’s general fund is down by $1.98 billion and the School Aid Fund is down by $1.25 billion for the current fiscal year.

Shutting down our state’s economy for more than two months and using a blanket approach instead of letting low-infection areas of the state keep our economy alive has cost more than one million Michiganders their jobs and many businesses have even closed their doors for good.

We have some tough decisions ahead of us, but Michiganders are resilient, and we will get through this together.

The Michigan Senate on Wednesday approved $524 million in available COVID-19 federal funds to help families in need of financial assistance, deliver much-needed supplies to front-line workers and support critical state infrastructure.

The coronavirus outbreak has burdened families across the state of Michigan. People have lost loved ones and are facing tremendous economic hardship as they try to care for their families as best they can. Front-line workers and essential employees have gone above and beyond to help keep our families safe during this crisis, so it’s important we utilize the resources available to us to provide additional support so they can continue to provide for and keep their families safe during this tough time.

Senate Bill 690 would provide $100 million in support pay for first responders such as police officers, firefighters and EMS workers, $50 million for additional testing supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line workers in hospitals and other settings, $125 million to reduce child care costs for essential workers, and $178 million to increase pay by $3 an hour for direct care workers, including those who provide care for seniors in nursing homes, disabled individuals and individuals with mental illnesses.

The legislation also includes language, which I introduced, that would provide $11 million to immediately hire an additional 300 temporary workers to the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

My office has been contacted by hundreds of constituents and families from all over Michigan who are suffering because they are not receiving the unemployment benefits they are entitled to. Families throughout our state were promised help they never received, and it is time we make sure residents get the benefits they’re owed.

Additionally, the bill contains $12 million for agriculture processors for testing, facility needs and PPE supplies; $45 million for at-home learning, summer education and assessment support for schools; and $2.5 million in assistance to hospitality workers who may not be eligible for unemployment benefits.

We owe a great deal to the front-line workers who have remained on the job, and we need to make sure they have everything they need to stay safe. We must also keep the promises made to people who were forced out of their jobs as we continue to work toward safely opening Michigan back up for business.

People in Michigan are suffering. Some have lost a family member or friend to COVID-19; or they may be battling the virus themselves. Others have had to close their businesses or they have lost their jobs and haven’t received unemployment benefits to help them provide for their families. Their frustration and sadness are real, and I truly feel for everyone during this difficult time.

Many people have decided to exercise their First Amendment rights and protest actions they don’t agree with. I support their right to express their displeasure with the government, just as I do with every group that protests at our state’s Capitol.

All elected officials, from the local level up to the president of the United States, have individuals that do not support their actions. This is the nature of public service — and I believe the citizens of this country should hold their elected representatives accountable. They do this by directly expressing their opinions, either written or verbal, organizing with likeminded individuals to speak with a collective voice, and voting on election day.

While I understand the frustration and desperation that people are currently feeling, I am troubled by and do not support anyone who would threaten harm against any elected official, including Gov. Whitmer. This behavior has no place in civil discourse and cannot be tolerated.

Gov. Whitmer has put in place some of the strictest rules in the nation to combat the coronavirus outbreak in Michigan. After declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer effectively shut down the economy, schools and nearly all forms of socializing and entertainment.

U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell III has launched a campaign to create a new law that would limit and clarify the powers of the governor. Mitchell states: “Michiganders elect members of the Legislature to represent them in our government. Unfortunately, Gov. Whitmer is misusing her powers to rewrite laws, court decisions and insists she can dial up these powers whenever she sees fit.”

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As many Michiganders prepare for more time at home — and possibly another month without any income — they are still waiting on their unemployment benefits.

Michigan is among the states that have distributed the most unemployment benefits to applicants, with $4.13 billion sent out through Wednesday, according to the state’s labor department. Unfortunately, many applicants are still waiting. About 1.33 million residents have filed for unemployment in Michigan since March 15 — more than a quarter of the state’s total workforce, the labor department said.

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As Michigan begins its third month of the coronavirus crisis, experts agree that most of the numbers are moving in the right direction.

As of Monday, the state reported 414 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 33 new deaths — the third consecutive day with fewer than 500 new confirmed cases. There also have been 50 or fewer deaths reported for the last three out of four days.

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A new federal lawsuit filed against Gov. Whitmer claims the coronavirus curve has flattened, and Michigan’s state of emergency is unconstitutionally blocking health care services.

The lawsuit was filed against Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and state Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordan on Tuesday, May 12 by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation on behalf of four West Michigan medical providers and a patient seeking a knee surgery.

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The governor signed Executive Order 2020-79, which lifts certain requirements of the application process for young Michiganders looking to obtain a work permit.

The order suspends the requirements of the Youth Employment Standards Act to allow work permits to be mailed, emailed, faxed or sent via the web rather than the previous in-person requirement.

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Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-80, which continues to allow certain state administrative hearings to be held by video conference or phone in place of in-person hearings. This order is effective immediately and remains in effect until June 8, 2020.

The order continues to permit the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Unemployment Insurance Agency, and other administrative hearings to be held by video conference or phone in place of in-person hearings. The order also temporally allows e-signatures in place of written signatures on related documents.

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Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-81 to replace her previous order that temporarily lifts weight and other delivery-related restrictions for vehicles carrying essential supplies.

EO 2020-81 extends provisions lifting state and local nonseasonal load restrictions, as well as other restrictions on the timing and loading of deliveries; for deliveries that meet immediate needs for medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; and for other critical supplies, equipment and personnel.

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On Tuesday, Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-82, extending a prior order temporarily lifting regulatory requirements on hospitals and care facilities to help ensure adequate personnel and facilities to serve patients during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

The reissued order authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to waive certain requirements to expedite bringing additional care facilities online as needed. The order also empowers LARA to ensure an adequate supply of care providers during the emergency by granting the department additional flexibility in its decisions about licensing, registration and workflow requirements.

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Gov. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-83 and EO 2020-84, both of which were effective immediately and replace her previous orders 2020-51 and 2020-50. EO 2020-83 continues the expanded access and capacity for child care services, giving priority to essential workforce, and extends until June 10, 2020. EO 2020-84 continues to protect residents and staff in long-term care facilities and extends until May 20, 2020.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-85, which temporarily extends protections for tenants and mobile home owners from being evicted from their home during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

EO 2020-85 ensures tenants and mobile home owners can remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they are unable to pay their rent. The order also relieves courts from certain statutory restrictions so they can stay eviction-related proceedings until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-86, which expands telehealth options for Michiganders by authorizing and encouraging health care providers to use these services when appropriate and after getting consent from patients. The order takes effect immediately and continues through June 10, 2020.

Under EO 2020-86, many health care services, such as mental health care, drug treatment and home health services, may be provided via telehealth. Additionally, insurance carriers must cover virtual check-ins and e-visits, to facilitate the affordability of telehealth services.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-87, which provides an extended opportunity for individuals to dispute the assessed value of their property, extends certain equalization filing and meeting deadlines for local and county officials, and extends the deadline for filing petitions to appeal assessment determinations as to commercial and industrial property.

Under EO 2020-87, boards of review meeting in July will also meet to hear assessment protests for individuals who were not able to file protests in March. Additionally, the May 31 jurisdictional deadline to file a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal to challenge assessment determination to properties classified as commercial real property, industrial real property, developmental real property, commercial personal property, industrial personal property or utility personal property is extended to July 31. This order, however, does not change or otherwise affect the July 31 jurisdictional deadline for assessment disputes of property classified as agricultural real property, residential real property, timber-cutover real property or agricultural personal property.

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