The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) received preliminary approval over the weekend from the U.S. Department of Education to waive a number of federal requirements for statewide student testing and school accountability.

State Board of Education President Dr. Casandra Ulbrich and State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on March 17, to urge the secretary to grant a nationwide waiver of statewide student assessments in favor of focusing on the more immediate needs of children.

The U.S. Department of Education responded last Friday by offering every state the opportunity to submit expedited waiver requests for a number of federal testing and accountability requirements. MDE submitted its request late Friday afternoon.

Dr. Rice noted in the letter for the waiver that the school closures are in response to extraordinary circumstances for which a national emergency has been declared and that the school closures “will protect the health and safety of students, staff, and our communities.” Michigan’s annual M-STEP tests are scheduled to begin the week of April 13 and run through May 28.

If the public or local school districts would like to comment on this federal assessment and accountability waiver request, they can do so through the email address mde-essa@michigan.gov.

The Treasury Department and the IRS have extended the filing deadline for 2019 federal income taxes to July 15, in response to the financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to local tax advisor, Jo Lynn Manns, CPA with UHY in Port Huron, the extension applies to corporate and individual filings, which were due on April 15. First quarter estimated tax filings have been extended to July 15, also, while second quarter remains at June 15, pending further policy updates. 

Taxes on income from self-employment are included in the July 15 extension. The payroll tax deadline has not been extended. For those expecting a refund, the IRS advises to file now, if you haven’t already. At this time, refunds are not officially delayed, and “The IRS is continuing to process tax returns, issue refunds and help taxpayers to the greatest extent possible,” according to IRS.gov.

All Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide have been closed. At this time, there have been no changes to the April 15 deadline for state taxes, but that could change anytime. Further details and updated information on tax deadlines can be found at IRS.gov.

As of 3-23-20 at 4:00 PM, the State of Michigan is reporting 1,328 confirmed cases, including 15 deaths.  St. Clair County is now reporting eight (8) confirmed cases. The new case is a 68 y/o male, hospitalized, with no travel history. St. Clair County Health Department is monitoring 35 suspect cases and monitoring 63 people which includes travelers and contacts to suspect and confirmed cases.

Justin Westmiller, St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director stated, “It is extremely important that our community heed the governor’s order to “stay at home, stay safe.”  This will help to halt the transmission of COVID-19 and allow everyone to return to a normal way of life much sooner.  Essential workers are still needed for the health, safety and security of our county.

The St. Clair County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues interagency coordination, information sharing, decision making and response planning efforts. The EOC will remain active throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency.

For further information visit: cdc.gov/coronavirus; Michigan.gov/coronavirus; or scchealth.co.  A general St. Clair County COVID-19 Informational Hotline is available Monday through Friday, (810) 966-4163, 8:00am-4:30pm or email questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org. The State of Michigan hotline is 1-888-535-6136 and is operational daily 8:00am – 5:00pm or email questions to COVID19@michigan.gov.

This information was submitted via a press release from the Joint Information Center.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan residents to shelter in place starting at 12:01 AM on March 24, 2020. The order is in effect for at least the next three weeks. Individuals may only leave their homes under limited circumstances such as getting groceries, medical treatment or prescriptions, and going to work at as an essential worker.

“In just 13 days, we’ve gone from 0 to over 1,000 COVID-19 cases,” said Governor Whitmer. “This is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us working together to protect our families and our communities. The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home. I know this will be hard, but it will be temporary. If we all come together, get serious, and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.”

The Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order (EO 2020-21) prohibits all businesses and operations from requiring workers to leave their homes unless those workers are necessary to sustain or protect life or conduct minimum basic operations such as necessary to sustain or protect life include those in health care and public health, law enforcement and public safety, grocery store workers, and more.

For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8 AM – 5 PM daily. 

Economic assistance for small businesses around Michigan that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus has gained approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced.

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program authorizes the MEDC to provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses. The funding is divided between $10 million in small business grants and $10 million in small business loans to support businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce.

The $10 million in grant funding will be provided to local or nonprofit economic development organizations throughout the state to provide grants up to $10,000 each to support certain small businesses that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

In order to qualify for grant support, businesses must meet criteria including 50 employees or fewer, working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business, and the ability to demonstrate an income loss as a result of the EO, or the COVID-19 outbreak.

Additionally, the program will authorize the MEDC to provide up to $10 million for small business loans with flexible repayment terms to support certain small businesses statewide that have realized a significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Loans to eligible borrowers must be $50,000 or more and are capped at $200,000. There are requirements to qualify. 

The Michigan Small Business Relief Program will be a top priority for the MEDC, with funds being available no later than April 1, 2020. 

For more information and resources for small businesses in Michigan impacted by COVID-19 visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19. The Ecomonic Development Alliance of St. Clair County also has resources on its website at edascc.com

Beginning today,  Michigan Kroger and Meijer stores will dedicate special shopping hours for the elderly, emergency workers and others directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kroger has dedicated the first hour of shopping on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. to senior shoppers (60 years and older), expectant mothers, first responders and those with compromised immune systems until further notice. The opportunity is extended to these groups as they are the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Each store will have staff available to help customers as necessary.

 Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager, The Kroger Co. of Michigan said the grocery chain requests “ that customers respect these hours for the health of our community during this time of uncertainty.”

Kroger encourages all other customers to shop between 8:00 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. all other days of the week. Kroger has moved to the 9 p.m. closing to accommodate cleaning and restocking.

Kroger pharmacy hours will remain the same and vary by store. Hurst recommends that customers confirm the pharmacy hours with their local stores. 

Meijer has also adjusted its store hours for the foreseeable future to allow more time for team members to deep clean and restock its stores, as well as dedicated hours for senior citizens, customers with chronic health conditions, essential service workers and its team members.

Meijer stores now close overnight at 10 p.m. local time and will open each morning at 8 a.m. local time with dedicated shopping times for senior citizens and customers with chronic health conditions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 a.m. local time. Meijer stores and pharmacies will provide dedicated shopping times for essential service workers and Meijer team members on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8 a.m. local time.

Rick Keyes, Meijer President and Chief Executive Officer said the “adjusted store hours will ensure all of customers have access to the products they need in the cleanest shopping environment possible.”

Essential service workers include all medical workers, first responders and law enforcement. Meijer is asking its customers and the public to please respect the times for these important groups.