USPS Could be Forced to Limit Operations in Coming Months due to Coronavirus and Resulting Economic Challenges
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of the U.S. Postal Service. The Coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic crisis have led to serious financial uncertainty for the Postal Service, and the agency could be forced to limit operations in the coming months without additional financial support from Congress. Peters’ resolution calls for additional funding in the next Coronavirus relief legislation to help the key agency offset losses incurred due to the pandemic. The resolution also makes clear that the Postal Service should not reduce its services, close post offices or facilities, or excessively raise rates.
“I constantly hear from workers, business owners, and students across our state about how we need to expand access to affordable education and skills training programs that connect Michiganders with good-paying jobs,” said Senator Peters. “These funds will help expand access to apprenticeship programs that provide the skills training and workforce development that give Michigan workers and businesses greater opportunity to compete and succeed.”
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is providing the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity with $14,329,228 in federal grants to expand and improve apprenticeship programs. Michigan will receive $9,447,859 for Registered Apprenticeship Programs and $4,881,369 for Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Programs.
Report Highlights Solutions to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, Which has been Linked to 7,000 Cases and 2,000 Deaths in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a new report on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on residents and workers in nursing homes. The report details missteps by the Trump Administration that enabled the spread of COVID-19 through nursing homes, which led to deaths of more than 54,000 residents and workers nationwide, and about 2,000 seniors and workers in Michigan facilities. Despite representing less than 1% of the U.S. population, deaths connected to nursing home facilities account for about 35% of Coronavirus fatalities in Michigan and 40% of fatalities nationwide. Peters authored the report along with U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee.
LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 876-878, which codify her previous Executive Orders, further extending the renewal dates for driver’s licenses, CDLs, state ID cards and vehicle registrations. Among the extensions outlined in the legislation, those with driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations expiring after March 1 have until September 30, 2020 to have them renewed.
Trevor Pawl named Chief Mobility Officer, to head Office of Future Mobility and Electrification
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the formal launch of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) today, naming Trevor Pawl as the state’s Chief Mobility Officer and reaffirming Michigan’s position as the global leader in producing and developing the next-generation of transportation technologies. The new office will work across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale up of emerging technologies and businesses.
Senate Approved Peters’ Bill Following Report Condemning Over $1 Billion Wasted in Coronavirus Stimulus Payments to Deceased Individuals
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation he introduced to prevent the federal government from wasting taxpayer dollars on wrongful payments to deceased Americans. The Senate’s action follows a report Peters released earlier this week detailing how the Trump Administration sent more than 1.1 million Coronavirus economic relief payments totaling $1.4 billion to deceased individuals. In March, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help address the severe economic consequences of the pandemic, which included $1,200 stimulus payments for income-eligible taxpayers across the country.
LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 690, which appropriates nearly $880 million in federal funding to support various COVID-19 response actions across the state.
Roadmap includes guidance on PPE, hygiene and cleaning protocols,
athletics, and more
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, a comprehensive document to help districts create local plans for in-person learning in the fall. The Roadmap outlines a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan. The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-142, which provides a structure to support all schools in Michigan as they plan for a return of PreK-12 education in the fall.
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Orders 2020-140 and 2020-141, which extends policies lifting certain requirements of the application process for young Michiganders to obtain a work permit and allowing local governments to use alternative means, other than mass mailings, to send out hearing notifications.
