COVID Relief for Michiganders
Do you or someone you know need funeral assistance? Food? Housing? Vaccination transportation? Small business support? COVID Relief is here.
Presidential Actions since February 4, 2021
This has been an ongoing series where Presidential Actions have been parsed out in an effort to acquire some transparency into the intentions President Biden has implemented in the opening days of his administration. For a full breakdown of the difference in the kinds of Actions available, please visit PEG’s article “Presidential Actions: What’s the Difference?”. It must be noted that it is easy to revoke the executive orders of previous administrations without the proper legislation to codify policy. It is imperative to understand that without urging congress to pass bills that support Executive Orders, they are vulnerable once a president leaves office.
The subjects of the following actions range from policy revocations, civil rights, and foreign policy. There are links directly to the officially published documents in the Federal Register. As of the date of this article, fifty days into his administration, President Biden has issued 35 Executive Orders, 16 Proclamations, and 11 Memoranda. Notices have not been presented, but can be found in the Federal Register.
COVID-19: Federal Executive Orders, Relief, Proclamations, and Memoranda
Under the leadership of President Biden, dozens of new Executive Orders are coming from the white house. This week, we are focusing on the executive orders that are related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Encourage Michigan senators to support COVID relief package
DELIVER IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO WORKING FAMILIES: $1,400/person checks; housing and nutrition assistance; increase access to health care, paid leave, and child care; raise the minimum wage to $15/hour, and extend unemployment insurance;
SUPPORT COMMUNITIES: Support hardest hit small businesses; protect the jobs of first responders, transit workers, and other essential workers we depend upon.
Urge them to fight for Michigan families who are struggling to keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads. Urge them to make sure our state and communities have what they need to fight the COVID virus, to protect teachers and other front line workers who are helping all of us. Honor the 29.8 million people who’ve gotten sick from COVID and the 433,000 Americans who died from it.
Amid threats and political pushback, public health officials are leaving their posts
Public health workers, already underfunded and understaffed, are confronting waves of protest at their homes and offices in addition to pressure from politicians who favor a faster reopening.
More than 20 health officials have resigned, retired or been fired in recent weeks “due to conditions related to having to enforce and stand up for strong public health tactics during this pandemic” states Lori Tremmel Freeman, chief executive of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.’
Call the Governor to release Michigan state prisoners at risk of COVID-19
The best way to manage the COVID-19 challenge in Michigan’s prison system is to release as many people as possible as soon as possible. It can be done quickly, without compromising public safety, and in the best interest of public health. To save lives, it is imperative that the Governor act immediately to expand who is eligible for parole, expand the use of her commutation powers, expand parole boards, and expedite the review of wrongful conviction cases in front of the conviction integrity unit.
Ann Arbor council divided 7-4 on COVID-19 financial recovery plan
During an eight-hour meeting with tense moments and conflict, Ann Arbor City Council members were divided on details of a COVID-19 financial recovery plan.
The 7-4 vote to approve the plan came after 1 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
Michigan–Guns at Capitol
Despite Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s issuance of a formal legal opinion stating that the Michigan Capitol Commission has the authority to ban guns in the State Capitol, the Commission decided not to take a position on this issue at a May 11th meeting, and instead opted to create a new committee to examine it further.
Voter suppression in Wisconsin and around the country
During the April 7 primary election in Wisconsin and in the midst of the pandemic, many voters were forced to stand in long lines to vote after efforts by the Governor to postpone the election or vote-by-mail failed. 40 people who tested COVID-19 positive after April 9 have reported that they voted in person or worked the polls on election day.
$2.3 Trillion CARES Act Falls Short of Covering the Vulnerable
It is widely known that the $2.3 Trillion CARES Act is prolific in its enormity but vital to help American citizens and industries survive the COVID pandemic. Less understood are the budget allocations and more importantly, its inherent loopholes that fail to assist those in need. The Congressional Budget Office has yet to evaluate the budget numbers enacted, therefore numbers are estimated.