| Hello Friends,
My hope today is that all of you are safe and home. For our frontline workers, first responders, medical personnel and those working in essential businesses, THANK YOU. We are all deeply appreciative of the work you are doing.
Parents and students as well as school teachers and staff were informed that in-person schooling has ended for this school year. Governor Whitmer issued an executive order to close schools for the remainder of the year on Thursday with a full plan to move forward with continued learning. This order guarantees school funding and that all grade levels will be able to advance.
During the “Stay Home Stay Safe” order, my staff and I will not be in our Lansing office regularly. We will be in the 52nd District working to assist you and to advocate for our community’s needs. To reach out, please email me at DonnaLasinski@house.mi.gov.
Please remember to wash your hands regularly, avoid direct contact with others and if you feel ill, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Sincerely,
Donna Lasinski
Legislative Updates
Information is changing rapidly. We are working hard to share updates and information as quickly as possible on social media. Please take a moment to like and follow me on Facebook, as this is where information will first be shared.
On April 2, 2020, Governor Whitmer declared Michigan in a state of disaster. She has requested a 70-day extension for the state of disaster declaration to ensure that her administration is able to properly and effectively handle this crisis. Her request will have to be approved by the legislature.
Our “Stay at Safe – Stay at Home” order expires April 13, 2020. The request for an extension of the state of disaster is NOT and extension of the Stay Home order. It simply allows the Governor to continue to make the state as safe as possible a quickly as possible and unlocks more resources to fight COVID-19 at the state and federal levels.
Schools Will Remain Closed
On April 2, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that our schools will remain closed for the rest of the year. They will not be returning to face-to-face classrooms in spring.
This decision guarantees school funding so that our educators and school staff can still be paid in-full. Our high school seniors will still have a path to graduation and juniors will still be able to take their tests to apply for college. All grade levels will have the ability to advance to the next grade.
For younger students and older students, the school districts are charged with developing over the next few weeks robust learning plans to make sure that while in person classes have ended, the learning will not stop. Special education services and modifications will be implemented to the best of schools’ abilities as well.
Employee Rights
Governor Whitmer acted to protect workers from retaliation by their employers, if they stay home because one of their close contacts has tested positive for COVID-19: Click here for post and further information.
The Attorney General’s office has created a website to help you “know your rights” as an employee if you are still required to work during this time. Click here.
Unemployment Benefits
The UIA has created a new filing schedule to handle the unprecedented amount of claims.
Apply online at Michigan.gov/UIA with a new online filing schedule:
- Last names beginning A-L are asked to file claims on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
- Last names beginning M-Z are asked to file claims Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
- Saturdays will accommodate anyone who could not file in their allotted window
Or call 1-866-500-0017 with a new phone filing schedule:
- Last names beginning A-L are asked to call Mondays & Wednesdays between 8am-5pm
- Last names beginning M-Z are asked to call Tuesdays & Thursdays between 8am-5pm
- Fridays (8am-5pm) will accommodate anyone who could not file in their allotted window
Please go to this guide for a list of places to reach out to for help. Click here for information and click here for a “How To” guide.
For more information or to apply for unemployment benefits, visit Michigan.gov/UIA or call (866) 500-0017.
Meals Available for School Age Students
Ann Arbor Public Schools
Breakfast and lunch packages are available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. If you can’t make the pick-ups or have food allergy concerns, call the AAPS Food Service Hotline at 734-994-2265. For more information, including pickup locations, visit here.
Chelsea School District
Food Service is providing sack breakfast and lunch meals for students from 10 a.m. to noon on April 6 at the Chelsea High School commons entrance. If you do not have transportation, contact the district at 734-433-2208 ext. 6082 to discuss alternative plans.
Dexter Community Schools
Drive-up pickup will be in the Mill Creek Parking Lot from 8:00-9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Families can pick up on both Tuesdays and Fridays each week. For families who cannot come in to pick up food or have special dietary needs, we have established a hotline number to call 734-424-4186.
Manchester Community Schools
For Manchester Schools food distribution services, please visit their website and fill out the school closure meals form.
Visit michigan.gov.meetupeatup for all of the school locations providing meals. These meals are available to all children ages 0-18 at no cost.
Small Business Support
The Small Business Administration’s Disaster Relief Loans are available to Michigan small businesses. For more information, eligibility, and to apply, visit here.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has created a Small Business relief program to help small businesses during this time. The deadline is April 4, 2020. For more information, eligibility, and to apply, visit here.
52nd District Resources
My office and I have created a Google Drive of resources and information regarding COVID-19 for individuals, employers and employees. Click here to access the entire drive.
COVID-19/Coronavirus Resources
You can receive continual updates from the MI Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) by clicking here.
Upcoming Time With Donna
Tuesday Town Halls
Out of an abundance of caution, all previously scheduled coffee hours and in-district meetings are cancelled. I will instead be hosting Facebook Live Town Halls.
When: Every Tuesday night at 7pm
Where: My State Representative Donna Lasinski Facebook
I will be recapping events and news that happened throughout the week, and answering all of your questions. To join, visit my Facebook page on Tuesday nights at 7pm and you will see my live video. Click on the video to join.
Resources
Registering to Vote
You can now vote by mail, register to vote online and vote early. Follow the links for all your information about voting in Michigan: Register online Voting By Mail
United Way of Washtenaw County Free Tax Preparation Help
As the new year begins, we also need to start preparing to file our 2019 taxes. The United Way of Washtenaw County offers free tax preparation help to those who are eligible. To see if you are eligible for their tax preparation help, please visit the website below. If you are eligible, you can schedule your appointment online or call the phone number below.
Please note that they will only be able to help with the 2019 tax filing year. Prior years will be on hold until spring 2020 (after this tax season).
Website
Phone: (734) 677-7235
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Sincerely,
Donna Lasinski
State Representative, 52nd House District |
