The House Democratic Caucus announced their policy agenda this week, which provides a plan focused on rebuilding and strengthening the state from the COVID-19 crisis. The plan seeks to remedy the issues made evident throughout the pandemic, including access to health care and mental services, paycheck protections, worker safety and confidence, safeguards for basic needs, resources for first responders, and educating children outside of the classroom.  Additionally, it lays out a legislative plan to address critical challenges the state will face as it reopens and seeks to provide essential support for communities. Details of the plan include:

• A Strong and healthy Michigan:
  • Provide free COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccinations for all residents
  • Expand Healthy Michigan
  • Forming a statewide contact tracing task force
• Safeguards to help with basic needs:
  • Expanding earned paid sick leave
  • Expand internet access and offer affordable service options for low-income, seniors, and other vulnerable populations
  • Restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit to 20% for working people with low to moderate income
• Protecting those who protect and serve us:
  • Establishing emergency funding for safety and personal protection equipment
  • Require rapid testing and priority for first responders
  • Provide workers’ compensation coverage for COVID-19 illness
  • Require hazard pay for frontline workers
• Investing in education and closing the divide:
  • Requiring equitable technology and internet access and teacher support
  • Establishing continual pay and benefits for all teachers, staff, and hourly K-12 employees during the emergency shutdown
  • Establishing dedicated funding to reimburse educators for incurred costs for distance learning
• Keeping neighborhood businesses strong:
  • Providing loan and grant assistance for neighborhood businesses
  • Expanding the MEDC Small Business Relief Program
  • Requiring standards for safe reopening and customer interactions
• Strengthening our democracy:
  • Requiring all voters receive an absentee voter ballot
  • Making Election Day a state holiday
  • Expanding early voting options
  • Implementing temporary rules in the MI House of Representatives during a state of emergency to allow the use of virtual technology ton continue legislative work

To view the full plan, please click here.

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