Four-year terms headline MAC’s legislative priorities for year A state law authorizing four-year terms for county commissioners tops the legislative priorities list issued by the Michigan Association of Counties this week. “We made it further than we ever have in Lansing on 4-year terms in the 100th Legislature,” said Deena Bosworth, director of governmental affairs, […]
State leaders ‘pleased’ with vaccine progress During a hastily arranged video briefing for county leaders and others on Thursday, senior staffers of the Whitmer administration insisted that the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is accelerating. Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said she was “pleased” with the progress made to date. Data shared this week showed […]
State expands vaccination eligibility; fewer than 500,000 vaccinated so far State leaders announced this week an expansion of the vaccination effort against the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has moved to phase 1B of distribution, which includes individuals 65+, teachers, local frontline workers and jail staff. The state has given county health departments the approval to […]
Legislature approves ‘no reason’ virtual sessions until March 31, 2021 The Legislature voted to extend the ability for local boards to meet remotely, under any circumstance, through March 31, 2021. Senate Bill 1246, by Sen. Lana Theis (R-Livingston), would maintain the ability for a board to meet remotely past March 31 if a local emergency […]
By Matt Nordfjord, Esq. With a new year comes the responsibility for county boards to elect chairs and vice chairs. This process is governed by Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 46.3. The county board of commissioners is required to elect one of its members as chair and one member as vice chair, per MCL 46.3(4). The […]
Further OMA changes expected by end of year With the House session delayed due to COVID positive cases (see below), a bill to extend the “no reason” option for virtual local board meetings remains stuck on the House floor. House Bill 6207, by Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Ottawa), awaits further action. However, the Senate was able […]
Extension on ‘no reason’ remote board sessions awaits House action A bill to expand “no reason” remote sessions for local boards cleared a House committee this week but did not get an expected vote in the full House chamber. House Bill 6207, by Rep. Luke Meerman (R-Ottawa), which would change the state’s Open Meetings Act, […]
In another special LIVE video edition of Podcast 83 at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7, MAC’s Executive Director Stephan Currie and MAC’s advocacy team will discuss the ongoing “lame duck” session of the Michigan Legislature. Among topics to receive updates: Hot topics in the “lame duck” session Status of additional COVID aid to counties The […]
MDHHS order shuts down indoor dining, limits household gatherings On Sunday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order that enacts a three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities in an effort to curb rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rates. The order takes effect on Wednesday, Nov. […]
As cases surge, health leaders urge mask use, social distancing Leaders of the state’s major hospital systems warned Thursday of increasing strain on medical capacity as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across Michigan. Wearing masks, avoiding indoor gatherings and practicing social distancing are essential, these health leaders said, to reversing the trends that have seen […]