The decision to place COVID-19-positive patients into our state’s nursing homes was a horrible policy from the start, and I joined many of my colleagues in calling on the governor to stop this life-threatening practice back in April after it became clear that healthy nursing home residents were being put at risk.

That’s why I was happy to see the U.S. Department of Justice announce it wants to review COVID-19 data from the governor as it examines executive orders during the pandemic that may have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly nursing home residents.

Despite the fact that over a third of all COVID-19 deaths in Michigan occurred among nursing home patients, the governor has continued the practice in the face of objections of health care professionals and bipartisan legislation that would have banned it.

Every month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) holds public meetings around the state to provide Michigan residents with opportunities to share ideas and ask questions about policy decisions, programs and other aspects of natural resources management and outdoor recreation.

During COVID-19, with public health and safety in mind, upcoming meetings have been changed to virtual meetings or conference calls. Visit the DNR’s website for a list of upcoming meetings and more information on how you can participate.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently announced branch offices will now offer special appointments and extended hours for Michigan residents to renew driver’s licenses or state ID cards that expire between Jan. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020.

Customers can make an appointment between 4 and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, from now until Sept. 30. These special appointments are specifically for renewing a Michigan driver’s license or state ID that expires between Jan. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2020 and must be renewed in person.

Because of COVID-19, the state previously extended the renewal dates to Sept. 30 for driver’s licenses, IDs and vehicle registrations expiring after March 1.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit www.Michigan.gov/SOSAppointments or call 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

With the official adoption of Michigan’s new drinking water standards for seven PFAS compounds, the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) is expanding its investigation and cleanup efforts at 38 sites throughout Michigan. The 38 new sites are a result of Michigan’s new groundwater standards. The majority of these sites are landfills or former manufacturing facilities that are already the subject of ongoing investigations into other forms of contamination.

Additionally, beginning in September, MPART will host a series of regional webinars to provide the public more information on each of these investigations.

Click here for more information, including a full list of testing sites and upcoming webinar information.

While the coronavirus pandemic is improving, it is certainly not over. Below is a list of resources available to you if you need any type of assistance. Additionally, you can contact my office at any time for more information.

General information, resources, testing locations and more on Michigan’s response
www.Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Coronavirus hotline for health-related questions, available every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1-888-535-6136

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
1-800-232-4636

Michigan PEER Warmline, for mental health support and substance abuse challenges, available every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
1-888-733-7753

National suicide prevention lifeline, available 24/7
1-800-273-8255
Text TALK to 741741
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Small business resources
www.Michiganbusiness.org
1-888-522-0103

I will be hosting office hours with constituents throughout the 33rd Senate District next week.

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. Please feel free to stop in! No appointment is necessary.

If you are unable to make my office hours, you can always contact my office with any issues or questions you may have with state government.

The 33rd state Senate District includes Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, and Montcalm Counties.

Thank you for subscribing to my electronic newsletter! I am honored to represent you in the 33rd Senate District of Michigan. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in receiving the 33rd District E-news. You may sign up for it also at my website.