George James

COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act Discussed in House Committee

House Bill 4667, the COVID-19 Vaccination Privacy Act, has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to stem any future requirements of needing to prove vaccination to a state or government entity. Fines for violation are part of the bill.

Speaking to the House Oversight Committee, Lori Roman, President of the American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fund spoke against any so-called “vaccine passport” and quoted Benjamin Franklin, saying, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” 

China, Japan, and the European Union all have some level of vaccine passport in the works, and Canada’s Health Minister has endorsed the idea. Some American colleges and universities are already requiring proof of Covid vaccination for on-campus students and children have been required to show proof of several routine vaccinations for enrollment in public schools for decades.

State Representative Andrew Beeler, a Port Huron Republican, strongly opposes vaccine passports and is a co-sponsor of the bill.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Installed Locally, Statewide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is granting over $1.8 million to install more charging stations for electric vehicles. The Blue Water Area is on track to have eight of those stations.

Sunrise Stores LLC received the largest disbursement of “Charge Up” grant money- $200,000- to install eight charging stations at their Fort Gratiot, Smiths Creek, Capac, and Kimball locations. Speedy Q Market in Port Huron received a $50,000 grant for two outlets. TNT Equipment in Sandusky received a grant for $70,000 to install four outlets.

The “Charge Up” grants are being awarded to install fast-charging stations that will add 88 outlets along key travel routes statewide. The new outlets are part of a plan to make it possible to travel in electric vehicles with no worries about finding a charging station across Michigan and with connection to high-traveled Midwest and Canadian Routes. The stations are for both private and commercial electric vehicles. 

The new fast-charging electric vehicle charging outlets are expected to be up and running by the end of the year. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Senate Tries Again with Broadband Internet Tax Incentive Bill

In a reaction to Governor Gretchen Whitmer rejecting a similar House Bill, the Michigan State Senate has approved legislation to expand broadband access to underserved areas of the state.

Whitmer vetoed the House Bill claiming it did not provide enough coverage at high enough speeds. The Senate bill meets the speed requirements demanded by the governor in her veto explanation. The speed required is a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of at least 3.0 megabits per second.

The legislation is actually a tax bill that provides tax exemptions for entities that invest in broadband equipment to increase availability and speeds. The tax incentives are hoped to bring internet to the rural and urban areas that are lacking reliable service.

According to non-partisan state bill analysis, 94.5% of Michigan households already have the desired connectivity. Still, the need for reliable and fast internet service has affected 100% of the state as both work and school have been forced to go online for at least some of the time during the pandemic.

The bill has been presented to the Governor for approval.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker” Launched to Measure Vaccination Levels

Both state and local health departments are looking to vaccination as the only path to full sports arenas and concert venues, and a return to “normal” after the pandemic. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has launched the “Vacc to Normal Milestone Tracker” to show the progress the state is making toward the goal of vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

Yesterday, Michigan reached its first goal:  55% of residents have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Since the vaccine level is directly tied to the loosening of restrictions, Governor Whitmer announced yesterday that all in-person work can resume in two weeks or on May 24th. 

The next milestone, 60% vaccination, plus two weeks, allows for increased indoor capacity at large venues. The 65% vaccinated level lifts capacity limits but requires continued social distancing.

 Seventy percent is the magic number that lifts Gatherings and Face Masks Orders. 

A link to the “Vacc to Normal” Milestone Tracker:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_103214-547150–,00.html

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

EGLE Publishes “State of the Great Lakes” Report

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has released the 2020 State of the Great Lakes Report. Some of the topics covered include Asian Carp, high water, algal blooms, and climate change.

EGLE Director Liesl Clark said, “While 2020 had its many challenges, our team didn’t lose its focus on the important work they do related to the health of our Great Lakes. From high water levels to coastal resiliency to testing wastewater for clues to COVID outbreaks to stopping Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, EGLE and its partners went to great lengths to protect our valuable water resources under trying circumstances.”

The St. Clair River is still listed as an area of concern due to “legacy contamination”, but is also listed as a reef-building success story as the sturgeon habitat has been restored after years of destruction from dredging.

Clark said that “EGLE remains committed to partnering on efforts that include protecting the Great Lakes, promoting equity for all residents and planning for the impacts of climate change.”

A link to the full report:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ogl/2020-State-of-the-Great-Lakes-Report_723597_7.pdf

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland