Complete Story
09/02/2020
Additional Aid is Becoming More Available in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky
Ohio State Updates: 8/26 - 9/1
In advance of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Governor DeWine reminded citizens to take safety precautions when celebrating with others outside of their households. In the weeks following the Fourth of July, Ohio began to see a significant increase in cases caused, in part, by holiday gatherings. Governor DeWine encourages citizens to continue regular handwashing, social distancing, and disinfecting. The mask mandate in Ohio remains in effect for all 88 counties.
Lt. Governor Husted announced that over 900 grant requests have been approved for the K-12 Broadband Connectivity Grant to go towards hotspots and internet-enabled devices. This enables 121,000 students to gain high-speed internet in their homes, thanks to the devices provided by this grant based on information provided by the schools.
Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced the approval of assistance by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) for five projects set to create 574 new jobs and retain 1,058 jobs statewide. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $23 million in new payroll and spur more than $68 million in investments across Ohio.
The governor continued a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or higher. Those traveling from one of the following states should self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel: Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
The self-quarantine recommendation applies to those who live in Ohio and to people who are traveling into Ohio from any of these states. Ohio's positivity rate, an indicator of the percentage of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, was 4.5% over the last 7 days (up from 4.2%). Visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov for tips on how to effectively quarantine.
Ohio saw in increase in new COVID-19 cases, with an average of 1,169 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 958 new cases per day over the previous 7 days.
Michigan State Updates: 8/26 - 9/1
Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-172, which prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or retaliating against employees who make the responsible choice to stay home when they or their close contacts are sick. The governor’s order clarifies when a worker has the principal symptoms of COVID-19 so that workers who have a known medical or physical condition causing their symptoms need not stay home. Employers must treat employees who stay home when they are sick as if he or she were taking medical leave. Any and all Michiganders who test positive for COVID-19 or who display one or more of the principal symptoms should stay home. Executive Order 2020-172 clarifies that a worker should stay home if they have any one of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: a fever, an uncontrolled cough, and shortness of breath; or at least two of the following not explained by a known medical or physical condition: loss of taste or smell, muscle aches (“myalgia”), sore throat, severe headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Individuals must remain home until 24 hours have passed since the resolution of fever without medication or 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or were tested positive.
Huntington Bank and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a $5 billion, five-year lending, investment and philanthropic commitment to help improve financial opportunities for Michigan businesses, consumers and communities. Part of a $20 billion Community Plan Huntington announced September 1, the Michigan plan was developed in cooperation with the Governor and Michigan community organizations to ensure the bank’s commitment reflects the needs of all people and businesses throughout the state. In the next several months, the bank will announce specific initiatives to support small businesses, consumers and communities. The plan will evolve as Huntington continues to listen and take action to meet the changing needs of Michigan’s communities.
Emergency aid provided by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency to vulnerable workers has boosted the state’s economic outlook, according to data and testimony shared by economists. At the recent Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, University of Michigan economist Gabriel Ehrlich indicated that UIA’s efforts to pay benefits quickly and nation-leading Work Share program were credited with helping Michigan outpace the nation in consumer spending. The UIA has made a determination on all currently eligible, certifying unpaid claims that were filed before July, provided that information has been submitted and the claimant is reachable. In making a determination, the agency will pay out benefits, determine that the claimant is ineligible and communicate why, or deem the claimant unreachable after multiple attempts to make contact.
Airports around Michigan will receive more than $14.7 million in Federal Aviation Administration grants to improve safety and infrastructure. The funds are part of more than $1.2 billion being sent to 405 airports in 50 states and six U.S. territories.
Michigan new COVID-19 cases remained even with last week with an average of 678 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 682 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.
Kentucky State Updates: 8/26 - 9/1
Governor Beshear announced he, again, is extending Ernst & Young’s (EY) contract, which began in July, to help process unemployment insurance claims. “I’m announcing we will extend our partnership with EY through the end of the year,” the Governor said. “As a reminder, EY is one of the big four accounting and consulting firms and has significant experience in unemployment insurance claims. The firm has helped other states with UI problems and has the personnel, skill, experience and resources to help Kentucky get the job done.” Deputy Secretary Cubbage noted the original EY contract as well as the extensions all are being funded with money from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and would not affect the state’s normal budget.
$3,545,027 has been donated to the Team Kentucky Fund. Lt. Gov. Coleman noted that through the state’s partnership with Community Action Kentucky, for every $1 given to the Team Kentucky Fund, $1.70 goes to Kentuckians in need. “Because of this partnership, not only are we able to immediately help Kentuckians, we are also able to help them in the long run,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “I want to thank Community Action for your help and for everyone who has donated $5, $10, $15 to help their fellow Kentuckians.” Those wishing to support the Team Kentucky Fund can do so at donate.ky.gov. To apply for assistance, go to teamkyfund.ky.gov.
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, offered analysis and insight on new coronavirus testing guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Stack also said the administration is now sharing the weekly reports for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, which can be found on the main Team Kentucky COVID-19 webpage.
The Governor encouraged all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by-mail, in-person during early voting or in-person on Election Day. Expanded absentee voting – Kentuckians who are concerned about in-person voting due to the coronavirus can request an absentee ballot online at www.GoVoteKy.com or through other methods, all of which require voter identity verification. Voters can return their ballots by mail, or put them in drop boxes we’re distributing, a first for our state. Early in-person voting – In order to reduce lines and further social distancing, we’re offering three weeks of early in-person voting, including Saturdays, also a first for our state. Election Day voting – While not every precinct will be open on Election Day, because, for example, some of our regular voting locations are nursing homes, Kentuckians are stepping up to serve as poll workers so that we can open as many locations as possible. The plan requires every county to have at least one vote center, where anyone from that county can go vote, regardless of his or her precinct – another reform for our state. Kentuckians who are unable to get a photo ID to vote due to the pandemic – whether because of risk of exposure to COVID-19, or because their clerk’s office was closed – can sign a document explaining this concern, present non-photo ID and cast their ballots.
New COVID-19 cases increased in Kentucky this week, with an average of 660 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 610 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.
