On March 9, we launched the Reopen Michigan Safely campaign in cooperation with local chambers and other business groups to end the ban on office work and pushed for a complete and safe reopening of all Michigan businesses. Yesterday we achieved a promising breakthrough.
Late Thursday, legislative leaders and the Governor reached and announced a deal to with withdraw the proposed MIOSHA permanent COVID-19 workplace rules, work together to negotiate the state budget and federal funding from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Act and work to give the legislature more input on future Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Epidemic Orders.
The announcement came on the heels of the Governor’s announced “Vacc to Normal” plan updates, which include capacity limits being lifted for outdoor events as of June 1 and increases in indoor capacity limits (to 50 percent). The updated “Vacc to Normal” plan also specifies that, as of July 1, the state will no longer limit capacity at indoor or outdoor gatherings.
Although details are still emerging on the deal with legislative leaders and we are unsure when and how MIOSHA’s Emergency Rules might changes as a result and to better align with new CDC guidance, “Vacc to Normal” and the latest Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Epidemic Orders, we are encouraged that the state seems to be turning a page on its endless COVID restrictions. The Michigan Chamber has been calling for an end to the constant stream of arbitrary, confusing and constantly changes state orders coming from Lansing especially given that cases are trending down, vaccination rates are up and governors across the country are moving more decisively to safely reopen their states. The agreement between the legislative leaders and the Governor, as well as the announcement on the revised “Vacc to Normal” plan, is definitely a step in the right direction.
Under the deal announced Thursday, MIOSHA will be withdrawing its proposed permanent COVID-19 workplace rules. While we are disappointed the rules were proposed in the first place, we applaud the leadership of the Majority Leader Shirkey and Speaker Wentworth to deliver a deal that is a good first step towards more fully reopening the economy and helping job providers turn the page on COVID-19.
You can read Speaker Wentworth’s statement on the agreement can be found HERE. The Governor’s statement can be found HERE. The Senate (Senate Majority Leader) statement can be found HERE.
We will report more details on the announced deal as they become available but believe this means MIOSHA will not move forward with its scheduled public hearing on the proposed permanent rules on May 26.
Please contact Wendy Block with any questions at wblock@michamber.com.