Local News

The U.S. Senate is being called upon by the Attorneys General of several states, including Michigan, to protect the rights of pregnant women. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act has been introduced for consideration. 

The Act would secure the rights of pregnant women to be provided reasonable accommodations at work without fear of being pushed out of their jobs, according to a press release from Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Nessel said, “This legislation provides proper protections for pregnant workers who all too often face choosing between paying bills and ensuring a safe pregnancy.”

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is closely modeled after the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The coalition argues that people in low-paying jobs are disproportionately discriminated against in seeking reasonable accommodations like sitting instead of standing, taking more regular breaks, and temporarily avoiding certain activities like heavy lifting.

In the letter, the AGs said, “The PWFA will facilitate access to justice for these workers and also have positive implications on other issues that disproportionately affect women of color, such as severe maternal mortality and morbidity.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

There’s money for more school psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurses. The Fiscal Year 2022 State School Aid Act provides for $240 million to go toward mental health needs for students. Districts can still apply for funding.

State Superintendent Michael Rice said, “Our children require academic, social emotional, and physical supports, both in and out of schools. School communities across the state are appreciative of this critical new FY 22 budget investment negotiated between the governor and the state legislature.  This $240 million begins the requisite school support for our children’s mental health and physical needs.” 

So far, 210 school districts have applied for grant funding to hire 60 school psychologists, 226 school social workers, 146 school counselors, and 130 school nurses.

The grants will phase out gradually, and the districts will fully fund the positions with local funds in year four, according to the grant rules.

According to the Governor’s office, the application for receiving the short-term funding is still open, and all districts are eligible to apply. 

 Districts can review frequently asked questions and submit their application by visiting Michigan.gov/MDE. Districts must hire staff by March 1, 2022 to qualify.   

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Paying on student loans? The payback “pause” has been extended to May 1st, 2022. Loan payments, interest, and collections have been paused since March 13th, 2020.

The repayment plans were set to resume after January 31st, 2022, but the pause has been pushed out a few more months. The interest rates have been set to 0% during the pause, in response to the economic instability caused by the reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Collections on defaulted loans have also been suspended, but are expected to resume after the latest extension expires.

Those who borrowed money for educational expenses shouldn’t get their hopes up that the loans will just disappear.

In announcing the extension of the pause, President Biden said, “As we are taking this action, I’m asking all student loan borrowers to do their part as well: take full advantage of the Department of Education’s resources to help you prepare for payments to resume.” He suggested looking at options to lower your payments through income-based repayment plans and to explore public service loan forgiveness.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland