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

DTF Makes Several Arrests

Port Huron, MI — The St. Clair County Drug Task Force confiscated drugs and made several arrests last week.

According to Sheriff Mat King, an investigation into the sales of narcotics led to the execution of a search warrant in the 2500 block of Spruce Street in the city of Port Huron. 

On May 3rd at about 10:30 p.m., members of the DTF entered the home, where they located and seized about $3000 worth of methamphetamine, $750 worth of analog drugs, $600 worth of cocaine and $200 worth of fentanyl/heroin. Two Port Huron men, ages 22 and 44 were arrested and lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. The Port Huron Police K-9 Unit assisted in the investigation.

On May 5th at about 6:00 p.m., the Drug Task Force assisted the Sheriff Road Patrol on a traffic stop at Dove Road and Minnesota Road in Port Huron Township. During a search of the vehicle, about $600 worth of cocaine and nearly $4000 in cash were located and confiscated. Two men from Port Huron, ages 51 and 52 and a 42 year old Port Huron woman were arrested and lodged at the IDC on various drug charges.

On May 6th at about 3:00 p.m., a search warrant in the 3300 block of 30th Street led to the arrest 38 year old Port Huron man. During the search, members of the Drug Task Force located and seized a handgun, ammunition and drug packaging materials. The man was lodged at the IDC and faces charges of felon in possession of a handgun and felon in possession of ammunition.

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force

Michigan Unemployment Office Adds Staff, Increases Hours

Would Return to Work Grant Help Employers Fill Open Positions

The  National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is reporting that 44% of small business owners have job openings they can’t fill, and 92% of them report few or no qualified applicants are applying for their open positions.

Small business owners who attended a hearing of the House Government Operations Committee in Lansing in April, were concerned that increased unemployment benefits and the pandemic are continuing to keep people out of the work force.

Traditionally, those receiving unemployment benefits in the State of Michigan were required to prove they were searching for work. That requirement was lifted due to the pandemic, but representatives from the Unemployment Insurance Agency told the House Government Operations Committee that the requirement would be reinstated by the end of May.

NFIB Michigan State Director, Charlie Owens said the work search requirement would help employers as well as an incentive such as a “Return to Work Grant”.

“The return to work incentive would provide grants of $1,000 to workers who leave the unemployment system and return to work,” said Owens.

The incentive is included in House Bill 4420 which is currently making its way through the legislative process.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Golf Outing Supports Women Facing Breast Cancer

Port Huron, MI — Summer is just around the corner, and Lake Huron Medical Center is getting ready for its annual Pink Ribbon Golf Outing on Friday, June 25th. The event supports the Pink Ribbon Fund which provides advanced breast cancer screening and treatment for vulnerable women in the community.

The Pink Ribbon Golf Outing is an inclusive event for men and women with all levels of golf skills to gather in support of those facing a breast cancer diagnosis. The outing offers a nine-hole flight at 7:30 AM or an 18-hole flight at 11:30 AM, and golfers can register as individuals or as a team. Boxed meals are provided with each registration.

The deadline to register for the event is June 18th, and sponsorships are available for individuals or businesses who want to provide even more support to the Pink Ribbon Fund.

Register online <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

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