Thursday - March 28, 2024
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Michigan Newsletter for Sunday April 26, 2020 ( 32 items )  

ACLU, Civil Rights Organizations Sue Oakland County Sheriff, Jail Administrator Urging Release of Vulnerable People to Stop Spread of COVID-19
DETROIT, Michigan, April 18 -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan issued the following news release: The ACLU of Michigan (ACLU), Advancement Project National Office, Civil Rights Corps (CRC), LaRene & Kriger P.L.C. and the Law Firm of Pitt, McGhee, Palmer and Rivers sued Oakland County, Oakland County Sheriff, Michael Bouchard, and Commander of Corrective Services Curtis D. Childs, in federal court, calling for the release of incarcerated people who are medically vulnerable. The la  more

Advancement Project Wins Temporary Restraining Order to Protect Health of People in Oakland County Jail Ahead of COVID-19 Outbreak
OAKLAND COUNTY, Michigan, April 21 -- The Advancement Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit that develops and inspires community-based solutions based on the high quality legal analysis and public education campaigns, issued the following news: On April 17, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit filed by a group of civil rights and racial justice organizations requiring the Oakland County Jail to follow the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines to protect the health   more

AFT President and Michigan Leaders on Legal Victory for Detroit's Students
DETROIT, Michigan, April 25 -- The American Federation of Teachers issued the following news release on April 24: Statement by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, AFT Michigan President David Hecker and Detroit Federation of Teachers President Terrence Martin, following the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that Detroit students have a fundamental right to access to literacy and that "without the literacy provided by a basic minimum education, it is impossible to   more

American Human Rights Counci Urges President Trump to Bail Out the US Postal Service
DEARBORN, Michigan, April 21 -- The American Human Rights Council issued the following news release: The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) urges President Trump and Congress to provide all the necessary assistance to the US Postal service (USPS). The US Postal service is as essential. All postal service personnel and carriers have been providing a vital service to the country. Like first responders such as health-care workers and law enforcement, they are at the front line bravely servi  more

American Human Rights Council: Patience and Prayers - Muslims Approach Ramadan in Time of Quarantine
DEARBORN, Michigan, April 21 -- The American Human Rights Council issued the following news release: Ramadan, a time of heightened spiritual reflection, devotion and worship, which begins the evening of April 23 and ends the evening of May 23, will be markedly different this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating the need to institute social distancing, self-quarantine and the elimination of group gatherings to save lives, prayers during the holy month of Ramadan will take place not in  more

Beaumont Health Discharges More Than 2,000 COVID-19 Patients
ROYAL OAK, Michigan, April 21 -- Beaumont Health issued the following news release: Since mid-March, Beaumont Health has discharged 2,076 COVID-19 patients with 154 patients taken off ventilators. Currently, systemwide, Beaumont has 747 COVID-19 positive hospitalized patients, compared to the health system's highest number of COVID-19 positive hospitalized patients: 1,101 on April 7. These figures do not include patients hospitalized with pending or negative tests results. "While we're seeing  more

Beaumont Health Must Temporarily Lay Off About 2,475 Employees Due to Financial Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic
ROYAL OAK, Michigan, April 22 -- Beaumont Health issued the following news release: The financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Beaumont Health, like other health care organizations throughout the country, to adjust its workforce after the organization suffered significant losses during the first quarter. After Beaumont began caring for COVID-19 patients five weeks ago, nearly all inpatient and outpatient surgeries and other non-COVID-19 medical services had to be halted. In   more

Beaumont Health Signs Definitive Agreement to Sell Ambulance Division to Superior Air Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
ROYAL OAK, Michigan, April 23 -- Beaumont Health issued the following news release: Beaumont Health has signed a definitive agreement to sell its ambulance division, which includes Community Emergency Medical Service, Inc. (CEMS), Parastar, Inc., and Beaumont Mobile Medicine, to Superior Air Ground Ambulance Service, Inc., an organization the health system has been working with closely for the past year. The sale is expected to close within the next several months. About 500 employees in Beaum  more

Detroit Regional Chamber Releases Findings From Statewide COVID-19 Impact Poll
DETROIT, Michigan, April 21 -- The Detroit Regional Chamber issued the following news release: The Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from a new statewide poll that offers the first glimpse into the struggles Michigan households are facing amid the COVID-19 crisis. "This poll puts the level of economic struggle across the state in stark relief. Poll results report 29% of respondents furloughed, laid off, or unable to work. This points to the real possibility for the official unemployme  more

Detroit Regional Chamber: New Revisions to Gov. Whitmer's Executive Order, First Steps to Responsibly Restarting Economy
DETROIT, Michigan, April 25 -- The Detroit Regional Chamber issued the following statement on April 24 by President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah: "The revisions to the "Stay at Home" order brought forth by Gov. Whitmer today began the process of responsibly restarting Michigan's economy. "COVID-19 has created a dual-threat to Michigan - a public health crisis coupled with an economic crisis - and the original "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order has initially flattened the curve and positions Michigan to r  more

Ford School Alumni Step Up to Support Students During COVID-19 Pandemic
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 21 -- The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy issued the following news: Ford School alumni across the world are responding to the global pandemic from a variety of public policy angles. They are also looking at how they can help the next generation of leaders dedicated to the public good. The coronavirus outbreak has upended the normal winter semester activities at the Ford School. For our students, interaction with professors and peers has changed as classes hav  more

Former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill Leaves Legacy at the Ford School
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 21 -- The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy issued the following news: The Ford School mourns the passing of Paul O'Neill, Treasury Secretary in the George W. Bush administration, and a long-time supporter of the school and its mission. O'Neill died April 18, 2020, at the age of 84. He served for several years on the Ford School Committee, working to raise the profile of the school and helping to expand its resources. As deputy director of the Office of Manageme  more

Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy: Parthasarathy's NSF Grant Will Investigate How Politics and Public Trust Drive Coronavirus Response
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 21 -- The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy issued the following news: It's becoming clear that more diagnostic testing is key for the U.S. to stop the spread of COVID-19, re-open the economy, and better manage the next epidemic. Shobita Parthasarathy (link is external), director of the Ford School of Public Policy's Science, Technology, and Public Policy (link is external) program, believes we have something to learn from other countries' responses. Governmenta  more

Journal of Clinical Investigation-Insight Issues Research Articles in April 23, 2020 Edition
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 23 -- The Journal of Clinical Investigation-Insight, a peer-reviewed journal that says it features preclinical and clinical research studies from the American Society for Clinical Investigation, published research articles, including the following topics, in its April 23, 2020 edition: * Altered calcium handling produces reentry-promoting action potential alternans in atrial fibrillation-remodeled hearts * Angiogenesis stimulated by elevated PDGF-BB in subchondral bo  more

Mackinac Center Experts Comment on U.S. Court of Appeals 'Right to Literacy' Decision
MIDLAND, Michigan, April 24 -- The Mackinac Center for Public Policy issued the following news release on April 23: Decision in the appeal of Gary B. v. Whitmer in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit could unintentionally have a negative impact on students in Michigan's largest school district and beyond. Below are statements from two experts from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. The following statement can be attributed to Ben DeGrow, director of education policy at the Mackin  more

Mackinac Center for Public Policy: West Virginia Supreme Court Says Janus Decision Should Apply to Private Sector Unions
MIDLAND, Michigan, April 23 -- The Mackinac Center for Public Policy issued the following news release on April 22: In yesterday's decision to uphold West Virginia's right-to-work law, the West Virginia Supreme Court indicated that the U.S. Supreme Court Janus v. AFSCME decision was not just limited to government unions, but could apply to private sector unions as well. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has been instrumental in the passing of right-to-work laws in Michigan and around the co  more

Michigan Economic Development Corp: Lt. Governor Gilchrist & Former Lt. Governor Calley Call for Federal Action on Additional SBA Forgivable Loans
LANSING, Michigan, April 22 -- The Michigan Economic Development Corp. issued the following news release: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, former Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Michigan Association of CPAs President & CEO Bob Doyle, today called on federal officials to reach an agreement and authorize additional funding to the Paycheck Protection Program funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration. More than 43,000 businesses in Michigan impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak received more th  more

Michigan Local Governments Seek Local Relief and Recovery Funding to Address Impacts of Coronavirus
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 21 -- The Michigan Municipal League issued the following news release: The more than 1,800 Michigan local governments that are on the front lines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic are calling for the state to share a portion of CARES Act funding with local communities. The Michigan Municipal League (MML), the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) and the Michigan Townships Associations (MTA) sent a joint letter to Governor Whitmer and state leaders Friday thank  more

Michigan Nurses Association: Coalition of Labor Groups Calls for McLaren Executives to Reduce Own Salaries Before Laying Off Workers
LANSING, Michigan, April 22 -- The Michigan Nurses Association issued the following news release: A coalition of unions including OPEIU Local 459, Teamsters Local 332, SEIU Healthcare Michigan, OPEIU Local 40, UNITE HERE! Local 688, and the Michigan Nurses Association put out a call for McLaren Health Care Corporation executives to reduce their own salaries so that no person makes more than a million dollars this year. The organizations estimate based on past IRS tax forms that this would allo  more

Michigan Nurses Association: Hackley Nurse Fired After Speaking to Media
MUSKEGON, Michigan, April 22 -- The Michigan Nurses Association issued the following news release: Shortly after doing multiple media interviews raising concerns about the hospital's preparedness and the safety of RNs and health care professionals, local nurses' union president Justin Howe, RN, was terminated from his position as a nurse at Mercy Health Partners' Hackley Hospital. Mercy Health Partners is part of Trinity Health. The Michigan Nurses Association believes that Howe's termination i  more

Michigan Retailers Association: March Sales Nosedive as Pandemic and Closures Hit Michigan Stores
LANSING, Michigan, April 24 -- The Michigan Retailers Association issued the following news release: The pervasive business shutdown prompted by COVID-19 hit Michigan retailers hard, as reflected in the Michigan Retail Index survey released. The monthly survey, based on a 100-point range, asked Michigan retailers to gauge their March sales, hiring and inventory compared to the previous month. The index for sales came in at a dismal 11.6, compared to 66.6 in February. March 2019's number was 42  more

National Beer Wholesalers Association Statement on Sixth Circuit Ruling on Lebamoff V. Michigan
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, April 22 -- The National Beer Wholesalers Association issued the following statement by President and CEO Craig Purser: The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Michigan law that prevents out-of-state alcohol retailers from selling to Michigan consumers. In doing so, the Court reversed a district court decision in favor of an Indiana retailer seeking to sell wine to Michigan consumers, claiming the Michigan law is a violation of the dormant Commerce Clause because it tr  more

NSF International Will Provide Official Global Retailer & Manufacturer Alliance Certification
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 21 -- NSF International issued the following news release: NSF International and the Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) have signed an agreement for NSF International to serve as a certifying body providing audits to GRMA member suppliers. The agreement is the culmination of conversations that began between the two organizations at the founding of the GRMA in 2014. "Since the GRMA's inception, the goal has been to standardize the metrics for evaluating   more

Operation Blessing International: Mercury One and OB Send Relief to Detroit
DETROIT, Michigan, April 24 -- Operation Blessing International issued the following news on April 23: Mercury One, a humanitarian aid and education organization founded in 2011 by Glenn Beck, has partnered with the Virginia Beach-based Operation Blessing to deliver over 40,000 pounds worth of essential supplies to the hard-hit city of Detroit, Michigan. During an emotional radio interview on The Glenn Beck Program last week, Michigan House of Representatives member Karen Whitsett expressed th  more

Protect Our Care, Pollsters Discuss New Polling on President Trump's Handling of Coronavirus Crisis in Four Key Battleground States
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- Protect Our Care issued the following news: On a press call, Protect Our Care along with Public Policy Polling and Geoff Garin of Hart Research discussed new polling on voters' opinions on President Trump's response to the coronavirus crisis. Additionally, Protect Our Care unveiled a new survey conducted with Public Policy Polling in Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin that finds voters in these key battleground states disapprove of Trump's handling of t  more

Society of Manufacturing Engineers: Fast Retooling Helps Factories Fight COVID-19
DEARBORN, Michigan, April 21 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers issued the following news release: It wasn't exactly a sneak attack, but the coronavirus hit the U.S. in March with a force not unlike what happened during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which prompted the U.S. to enter World War II. As in the previous event, the country was not prepared for the scale and severity of the attack. However, the response since then has brought out the best in some quarters, including the ma  more

Society of Manufacturing Engineers: Manufacturers Adapt to COVID-19, Remain Optimistic
DEARBORN, Michigan, April 23 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers issued the following news release: With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to sweep across the United States, there has been much speculation about its long-term impact on the manufacturing industry and the industry's ability to recover. To gage the impact COVID-19 will have on the manufacturing industry, SME Media surveyed more than 700 manufacturing professionals to understand how their companies will begin to recover post-C  more

Statement From UAW President Rory L. Gamble on Delaying an Early May Start Date
DETROIT, Michigan, April 24 -- The United Automobile Workers issued the following statement by President Rory L. Gamble: At this point in time, the UAW does not believe the scientific data is conclusive that it is safe to have our members back in the workplace. We have not done enough testing to really understand the threat our members face. We want to make sure the scientific data is supportive and every possible health protocols and enhanced protections are in place before UAW members walk i  more

The Education Trust-Midwest Outlines Key Recommendations for Ensuring Educational Equity for Underserved Students Throughout COVID-19 School Closures
ROYAL OAK, Michigan, April 23 -- Education Trust-Midwest issued the following news release on April 22: As state education leaders continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, The Education-Trust Midwest is publishing a series of recommendations to meet the needs of underserved student groups, promote instructional equity and address long-standing inequities. School closures exacerbate the existing inequities in our education system -- presenting the most significant challenges to students  more

UAW Endorses Joseph Biden for President of the United States of America
DETROIT, Michigan, April 22 -- The United Automobile Workers issued the following news: The UAW International Board Tuesday announced the influential unions' endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden for President of the United States. "In these dangerous and difficult times, the country needs a president who will demonstrate clear, stable leadership, less partisan acrimony and more balance to the rights and protections of working Americans," said Rory Gamble, President of the UAW. "UAW M  more

UAW President Gamble Issues Statement on Implementation of Nonpartisan Science-Based Approach of Biden Plan to Reopen Economy
DETROIT, Michigan, April 20 -- The United Automobile Workers issued the following statement by President Rory L. Gamble: "I have said for some time that the only litmus test in reopening the economy is whether you would send your son or daughter into the workplace. "To do that requires a science-based nonpartisan approach to worker safety. "Former Vice President Biden's plan relies on experts and science-based factors, acknowledges the need for adequate testing and oversight of safety in reop  more

Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Applauds Sixth Circuit Decision Upholding States' Right to Regulate Alcohol
WASHINGTON, April 24 -- The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America issued the following news release: Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Michelle Korsmo released the following statement regarding yesterday's Sixth Circuit ruling for Michigan in a wine retailer interstate shipping challenge brought forth in Lebamoff Enterprises, Inc. v. Whitmer: "WSWA is very pleased with the thoughtful opinion written by Judge Sutton on a case that questioned whether Michigan's law  more