Insider Intelligence

The U.S. Department of Labor granted a request by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to expand eligibility of waivers for Michigan workers who received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Through no fault of their own, thousands of Michigan residents received overpayment of assistance during the pandemic. In July, Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) issued approximately 350,000 waivers not requiring […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is appealing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial to activate the Public Assistance Program for Ionia, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. The original request was made to FEMA following heavy rainfall and flooding across southeast Michigan in late June. The appeal follows the completion of additional Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with federal […]

Federal jobless benefits through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan Act are set to expire September 4, 2021. The programs expiring include: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which provides benefits to workers who are not ordinarily eligible for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers. Pandemic Emergency […]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a $51.7 million federal grant for Michigan from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to invest in infrastructure. The funds can be used for projects including erosion stabilization, flood control, and stormwater improvement to prepare for future extreme weather events. According to a press release from the governor’s office, […]

The U.S. Department of Treasury has provided guidance on how the latest round of $350 billion in emergency funding may be used by state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments. Known as the “Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds,” the goal of the relief is to support the response efforts to continue to decrease the […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced her funding priorities as the state readies for more than $18 billion in federal funding available through the American Rescue Plan Act. Of that funding, state government is expected to receive $5.7 billion, local governments are set to receive $4.4 billion, and $3.9 billion will be directed to K-12 schools. The […]

This week, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical executive, testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on the state’s vaccination efforts and federal needs. During her testimony, she highlighted the state’s efforts to prioritize operational efficiency and equity in its vaccination efforts. Additionally, Dr. Khaldun outlined the comprehensive vaccination strategy […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to President Trump this week requesting that he fully fund the Michigan National Guard forces during their COVID-19 response through December 31, 2020. Last week, the president decided to fund Guard activities at 75%, except for Florida, Texas, Arizona, Connecticut, and California. Last week, President Trump authorized the use […]