Child Tax Credits Being Issued Monthly Starting in July

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer  is urging parents to file a federal income tax return if they haven’t yet done so or use the Non-filer Sign-up Tool in order to be eligible  for  federal Child Tax Credit  payments.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 increased the  federal Child Tax Credit to $3,600 per year for children under 6 years old and $3,000 per year for children 6–17 years old.  The Federal Government is now preparing to issue those tax credits in the form of monthly payments.

Families meeting the guidelines will receive Internal Revenue Service-issued checks or direct deposits once a month from July – December: on July 15th, August 13th, September 15th, October 15th, November 15th, and December 15th.

These payments will not count as additional income that could affect a family’s eligibility for public assistance.

Low-income families with children are eligible for this program – including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. The Non-filer Sign-up Tool is designed for those individuals who don’t normally file a tax return, such as families experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and other underserved groups. The tool is available <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Worked Through the Pandemic? One-time Payment Could Be Coming your Way

With legislation in the works to temporarily pay Michigan unemployment recipients to get back to work, those who have faithfully worked throughout the pandemic are saying, “What about us?”

The “Hero Pay” proposal is part of a resolution that would provide one-time payments to essential employees who worked through the pandemic. The resolution is supported by Governor Whitmer and would be paid with federal money.

Resolutions were introduced by Democratic Senator Marshall Bullock of Detroit and Democratic Representative Cynthia Neeley of Flint.

Whitmer said, “The hundreds of thousands of folks who worked through the pandemic to keep the rest of us going embody what being a Michigander is all about: you care for your neighbors, you work hard, you get it done no matter the odds. We must ensure they have the support they need to thrive as we emerge from the pandemic together.”

The specifics as to who would get the money, how much they would get, and when they would get it have yet to be figured out by the legislature and the Governor’s Office. A one-time $1000 stipend and a $2 per hour raise were given out to some front-line workers earlier in the pandemic.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Jurassic Quest Gives a Fun Science Lesson with Drive-Thru Experience

Don’t know the difference between an Allosaurus and an Iguanodon? You will after spending forty minutes or so at the Jurassic Quest drive-through dinosaur exhibit in the parking area of the DTE Energy Music Theater (Pine Knob). Families drive through the route and listen to an audio program full of facts about the automated dinosaur replicas, with a suspenseful and humorous storyline woven into the science lessons.

The exhibit is worth the drive for young minds who have an interest in paleontology or older minds who are impressed by the mixture of large-scale robotics, scientific research, drama, and archaeology.

One of the “Dinosaur Handlers”, Prehistoric Nick, told us that the exhibit is based on real science and constructed in consultation with paleontologists. He said that it has been shown that kids who have an interest in dinosaurs end up pursuing a further interest in science, technology, and even the arts.

Jurassic Quest is based in Texas and sets up the giant exhibits throughout the country. The exhibit at the DTE runs through July 4th, Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets cost $49 per vehicle.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Vote for 5th Graders in Sturgeon Story Contest

The Friends of the St. Clair River need the community’s help to judge the 14 finalists in their Sturgeon Story Contest. After receiving 275 Sturgeon Story posters this year, they are ready to select their winner before August 22, 2021.

The Sturgeon Stories finalists are viewable on the Friends of the St. Clair River’s website <HERE> and include art from students at Algonquin Elementary, Belle River Elementary, Keewahdin Elementary, and Michigamme.

Students used a combination of art and words to express their knowledge and appreciation for Lake Sturgeon and their contribution to the area’s ecosystem.

Winners will be announced Sunday, August 22 at the Sturgeon Full Moon Lighthouse Climb event at Lighthouse Park in Port Huron. The top three vote getters based on funds raised will each receive a $50 gift card. All finalists have the chance to see their art in the 2022 Lake Sturgeon calendar featuring past and present contest winners.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

More Grants to Support Community Colleges

Nine community colleges will receive grant funding to support adult students in the Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs. One of those, St. Clair County Community College, will receive a grant to hire a college completion coach.

The grants are part of the State of Michigan’s  Sixty by 30 goal to ensure 60% of Michiganders will have a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. The credential attainment rate is currently 49.1%,

In the 2018-19 school year, the success rate for students attending all community colleges in Michigan was 23.8% after two years. The new grants are aimed at increasing the degree completion rates for the more than 88,000 Michiganders now enrolled in the Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs.

Susan Corbin, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity acting director, said, “We know that it can be tough to juggle life – many who are returning to their studies will have jobs, family obligations and bills to pay which can get in the way of receiving that degree or certificate.” She believes “it will take more than just tuition assistance to get us to 60% by 2030.”

St. Clair County Community College will receive a $20,000 grant to hire a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a completion coach for adult students. Completion Coaches provide extra support and direction for students which increases their potential for success.

To learn more about the Michigan Reconnect program visit www.michigan.gov/Reconnect

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand