George James

Education Spending Increased for Fiscal Year 2022

The School Aid Budget, as well as an equalized funding system, was passed by the Michigan Senate last week. The bill allocates $17 billion for the fiscal year 2022.

State Senator Dan Lauwers, a Brockway Township Republican, voted for the bill, saying, “As our school districts recover from a year lost to COVID-19 and remote learning, we have prioritized getting more money into our classrooms while also dedicating significant resources for parents to help their struggling students get the help they need to get back on track.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed the school funding plan, saying, “The bipartisan school aid bill makes historic investments in our children without raising taxes and will help each and every student thrive academically, mentally, and physically.”

The spending plan provides for at least $8,700 per pupil, which is an increase from previous years. More money is also slated for preschools, increasing reading proficiency, school nurses, social workers, counselors, and psychologists, as well as $140 million in the school employees’ retirement system.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be Careful: Tick-borne Diseases on the Rise

Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are on the rise around the state, so it’s time to get serious about preventing tick bites.

Dr. Mary Grace Stobierski of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said, “Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. If you find a tick attached to your body, promptly remove it. Monitor your health, and if you experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms, consult with your medical provider.”

St. Clair County is one of the Michigan counties identified as having a high risk for Lyme disease. It is home to the blacklegged tick, which transmits both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, the second most common tick-borne disease.

Avoiding ticks means being careful when outdoors. Walk in the center of trails to avoid grassy, brushy, wooded areas where ticks thrive. Also, use a repellant with DEET or Picardin.

Pets should be checked for ticks often. There are tick-prevention products available for pets.

Bathing after being outdoors is a good way to find and wash off ticks, as is washing clothes in hot water and drying on high heat.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Recognized in July

July is Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Month. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are working together to recognize the workforce that helps to plant and harvest Michigan crops.

MDARD’s Migrant Labor Housing program oversees the welfare of migrant workers and their families in 850 licensed agricultural housing facilities.

MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “MDARD takes great care in making sure that the more than 28,000 migrant and seasonal workers who enter our state have healthy and safe housing. Migrant and seasonal workers help us plant and harvest more than 160 commercial crops. We honor their hard work, resilience, and dedication to Michigan’s agriculture industry.”

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “MDHHS appreciates farmworkers and supports them by providing access to public benefits, outreach services, and encourages them to feel welcome in Michigan because they play a vital role in the agriculture industry.”

Seasonal workers contribute to $2.3 billion in farm revenue in Michigan each year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vaccinated? MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes Gives Chance at Cash and Scholarships

Michigan is using a lottery drawing to encourage residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes is a lottery-style raffle. If you can prove you are vaccinated, you are eligible to be entered into a drawing to win a cash prize or a scholarship. The top prize is $2 million with a total of $5 million being awarded. There are also $500,000 in scholarships.

Where is the money coming from? The prize money is the result of a partnership between Meijer, the Michigan Association of United Ways, the State of Michigan, and many more organizations, according to the Governor’s office.

Ohio ran a similar lottery and brought the vaccine rate up substantially across several age groups.

The sweepstakes runs through August 3rd and has multiple drawing dates with a $1 million prize being given out this weekend. Over half a million Michigan residents have already entered the sweepstakes.

A link to the entry form: https://www.mishottowin.com/MIShotToWin

State Awards Contracts to Mobile and Community Based Vaccine Providers

Getting COVID vaccinations to high-risk populations is a top priority for health officials in Michigan. Contracts costing nearly $60 million have been awarded to organizations that can provide mobile or community-based vaccination services.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel said, “Providing mobile and other community-based vaccination services will help ensure high-risk individuals have access to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. This is part of the state’s efforts to bring vaccine into communities and to vaccinate as many Michiganders as possible.”

The vendors will bring vaccines to homebound residents, community-based mobile clinics, neighborhood testing sites, seasonal agricultural workers, shelters, transient communities, and other vulnerable populations. They will also facilitate medium to large vaccination sites.

Hertel said, “To date, more than 61% of Michigan residents have received at least their first dose of vaccine and we continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get theirs as soon as possible. There are several variants of the virus circulating in our state, including the concerning Delta variant, and we know the vaccine is our best protection against COVID-19.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Masks Still Required for Public Transit

While mask mandates have been lifted in Michigan, there are still federal mask requirements that override state rules. Masks are still required on public transit.

Public transit includes airplanes, trains, intercity vehicles including vans and buses, and public transit. The requirements remain in effect throughout the summer, ending on September 13th, 2021.

Blue Water Area Transit patrons will not be able to ride the bus without wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the mask mandate is for both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people. People who have recovered from the virus are also required to wear masks. Exemptions include children under the age of two and those who have medical exemptions.

The reason for the requirements is “to save lives and allow all Americans, including the millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel and work safely.”

The order also applies to taxis and rideshare vans. For more information, go to WGRT.com for a link to the Federal Order.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland