The governor and Legislature recently announced a bipartisan budget agreement for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year. This agreement is a practical solution to the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus here in Michigan and ensures our families, schools and communities are not further harmed by budget stresses.

This plan includes adjustments to the fiscal year 2020 budget and allocation of Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars. The budget agreement includes modest reductions in current year funding but also provides CARES Act funding for Michigan schools and educators, universities and community colleges, and local governments to address increased costs they’ve incurred due to the virus.

Senate Republicans are focused on ensuring the additional expenses related to the pandemic do not have a negative impact on schools. This budget agreement ensures Michigan teachers and school employees receive compensation for their hard work and that schools will have the resources they need to plan for a safe reopening in the fall.

In this plan, $3 billion in coronavirus relief funds will be used to support schools, universities and colleges, local governments, and businesses. It will also include a dedicated funding to increase Michigan’s preparedness in responding to the presence of the virus through stockpiles of personal protective equipment, testing supplies, and other medical necessities.

This budget agreement will take full advantage of the federal relief dollars granted to our state. It will benefit the people of Michigan and support the safe and sensible reopening of our state.

All auto insurance companies doing business in the state must also reduce the cost of each PIP level for at least eight years. The unlimited plan must be lowered by an average of at least 10% per vehicle; the $500,000 plan by at least 20%; the $250,000 plan by at least 35%; and the $50,000 plan by at least 45%. Those choosing to opt out will not pay a PIP medical premium.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) recently announced that the average statewide PIP medical savings under the state’s new auto insurance law will exceed the law’s requirements. Compared to the statewide average rates on May 1, 2019, this year’s average statewide reduction for the unlimited plan is 15.5% per vehicle; 30.6% for the $500,000 plan; 41.8% for the $250,000 plan; and 53.5% for the $50,000 plan.

For more information on Michigan’s new auto insurance law, including a list of insurance agents, visit Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance, email [email protected], or call 833-ASK-DIFS.

My team has been working hard to get you answers from the Unemployment Insurance Agency. 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 4-5 weeks. The Senate recently approved and the governor signed funding for the agency to hire additional staff to help resolve cases in a more efficient manner. My team and I will continue to do our best to help in any way we can during this difficult time.

In May, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that she would mail absentee ballot applications to each of Michigan’s 7.7 million registered voters. I’m concerned about how this could cause an increase in voter fraud.

I introduced Senate Bills 977 and 978, which would make it a felony for someone to knowingly submit another person’s name or personal identity information on a ballot application or attempt to obtain multiple ballots. Making voter fraud a felony will help discourage those who wish to tamper with our elections in the first place.

There is a lot of concern about election integrity within our system right now. These bills will help discourage voter fraud, improve trust in our elections, and protect our fundamental right to vote. People need to be able to trust the outcomes of our elections, win or lose. These bills passed the full Senate with bipartisan support on June 25.

The bills will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

The breach of the Edenville Dam, subsequent failure of the Sanford Dam and the extreme flooding that resulted from both brought destruction and misery to the communities of Edenville, Sanford, Midland, Saginaw and surrounding areas. Many people have lost their homes and livelihoods to this disaster, and we must understand what led to these tragic events.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve sat on several joint hearings of the Senate’s Environmental Quality and Energy and Technology committees to hear testimony from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the recent failures of the Edenville and Sanford dams in mid-Michigan.

The people affected by these tragic floods deserve answers, and we will continue to work with EGLE and others to find out what happened and what needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) recently approved incentives to support several Michigan projects, including the Uptown/River’s Edge redevelopment project in Bay City. A new five-story building with 60 residential units and a two-level parking structure on the waterfront in uptown Bay City will be constructed. When completed, this redevelopment project will contribute to a strong sense of place and a pedestrian-friendly environment by creating market-rate rental housing directly on the riverfront in downtown Bay City. The development will help create a more vibrant and energetic area that will attract additional residents and businesses.

The City of Bay City Brownfield Redevelopment Authority also received MSF approval of an amendment to the existing brownfield work plan to incorporate additional development and to improve the public infrastructure within and surrounding the Uptown Bay City property parcels.

The city of Bay City, in partnership with Shaheen Development, will be undertaking brownfield eligible activities, including the reconstruction of a bridge off-ramp and building or restoring city-owned streets with the goal of creating a more cohesive and walkable downtown environment. The project aligns with the MEDC Strategic Plan by utilizing a federal Neighborhood Opportunity Zone to spur economic development, as well as supporting the creation of place-based development projects that directly result in dense, vibrant, and walkable communities.

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.

The 31th state Senate District includes all of Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola counties.