Michigan Policy Wonk

Problems

• Michigan gives no coronavirus data on thousands of seniors and disabled This Bridge article mentions Maureen Mickus, a Western Michigan University gerontologist who conducted an analysis for the Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research of assisted living facilities in Michigan. 
• Whitmer extends freeze on residential evictions for non-payment of rent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has extended a moratorium on residential evictions until the end of this month, citing ongoing financial pressures from the coronavirus pandemic. An IPPSR-published Michigan Policy Wonk blog explores new tools and insights into evictions across the state and country.

Policy

• Governor Whitmer Appoints Educators, Parents, Students to COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council A group of educators, parents, and students was named to work with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Among them were Nicole Britten, health officer for the Berrien County Health Department. She recently spoke at an IPPSR-hosted Michigan Health Policy Issues Forum.
• Bollin Wants COVID-19 Patients Out Of Nursing Homes State Rep. Ann Bollin has sponsored a resolution calling for patients infected with COVID-19 not to be housed in nursing homes with healthy residents. She is a Michigan Political Leadership Program alumni.

Politics

• Benson wants $40M from feds to hold election during COVID-19 Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told federal lawmakers that the $11.2 million in CARES Act Funding appropriated to Michigan for election challenges posed by the coronavirus is not enough. Benson is a Michigan Political Leadership Program alumni.
• Tony Daunt weighs in on Michigan's Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels.The topic at hand: Whitmer’s placing of COVID patients in nursing homes. Daunt is a Michigan Political Leadership Program alumnus.
• The George Floyd Election IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann’s analysis of racially weighted messages during the 2016 presidential race is mentioned in this New York Times’ opinion piece. The article indicates that the coronavirus may overtake news about protests following the death of George Floyd as the 2020 election nears.