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Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) - What Public Employers Need to Know

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Mel Muskovitz, Attorney, Dykema
Jim Hermon, Attorney, Dykema

On March 18, 2020, the federal government signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which requires all  employers to provide two weeks paid sick leave to employees who are unable to work or telework due to COVID-19 related issues, and to provide up to 12 weeks leave (with 10 weeks paid) to employees who are unable to work or telework because they have to take time off to care for children who are at home because of a school or daycare closure.

 

This new law imposes significant new requirements on both public and private sector employers. During this webinar, Dykema labor and employment attorneys, Jim Hermon and Mel Muskovitz, discuss the act, including specific issues related to public sector employers.  In addition, the webinar helps public sector employers prepare for the next phase  of the pandemic by discussing issues related to the return to work of employees.

COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Local Governments

The Michigan Department of Treasury partnered with the League, Michigan Townships Association, and Michigan Association of Counties for this webinar. Topics include local government economic impacts, state resources, and federal funding information.

MBC-LEO COVID-19 Discussion

Host: Lois Allen Richardson, President, Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials

Guests:
Garlin Gilchrist, Lt. Governor, State of Michigan
Dr. A. Oveta Fuller, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan

Lt. Governor Gilchrist and Dr. A. Oveta Fuller led a discussion with MBC-LEO members on COVID-19, its impact on the African-American community, and ways that we can help our communities during this crisis.

 

Secure the Cities: Cybersecurity 101 for Michigan's Municipalities

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Andy Brush, Cyber Security Partnerships, State of Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget
Jeff Hoffman, Detective Sergeant, Michigan Cyber Command Center

Cyber attacks on municipalities rose aggressively in 2019, exposing cities across the country to massive data breaches, hijacked services, and costing communities millions. 2020 was looking to be more of the same, and now we are faced with supporting and securing a collection of new teleworkers due to COVID-19. Local government databases, utilities, emergency services are all at risk. Local communities often lack the resources and knowledge to fight back. Many municipalities are unaware of the resources and information that is available at the state level. In this webinar, you’ll hear about the impact of cyber attacks on local governments, what state departments are doing to protect your cities from attacks, and learn best practices on how to detect and respond to modern cyber-attacks against our communities in a growing digital world.

 

New FOIA Executive Order - Flexibility During COVID-19

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Lisa J. Hamameh, Attorney, Rosati, Schultz, Joppich & Amtsbuechler, PC

On April 5, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-38, which relaxes the requirements for responding to FOIA requests received during the State of Emergency related to COVID-19. The stated purpose of the Executive Order is to protect workers who handle FOIA requests by allowing public bodies to defer all or some portion of requests that would require workers to report to work in-person. This webinar will help you understand how to handle FOIA requests under the relaxed rules and will offer suggestions for best practices.

COVID-19 - Leading in a Crisis, with Harvard Professor Stephen Goldsmith

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Stephen Goldsmith, Daniel Paul Professor of the Practice of Government and the Director of the Innovations in American Government Program, Harvard University

Leadership skills are never more important than in an emergency such as the coronavirus pandemic we are currently experiencing. In this webinar, Harvard Professor Stephen Goldsmith shares some of the best ways to harness leadership in times of crisis. He also highlights how to use technology to create a more responsive government that engenders citizen trust.

 

 

2020 Census: Getting a Complete Count During COVID-19

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Kerry Ebersole Singh, Director, Michigan 2020 Census
Eric A. Guthrie, Demographer, State of Michigan

2020 Census operations have been extended due to COVID-19. In this webinar, you'll  hear about the changes and new deadlines. You'll also learn how Michigan has responded historically, the changing demographics, and projections for Michigan. Presenters will also share information about Michigan’s Complete Count strategy for increasing the state's response rate, and how to mobilize citizens to “Get Out the Counts” for their communities. The census online process will be explained, and a sample census questionnaire will be reviewed.

Update on Federal COVID-19 Response and Stimulus

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: U.S. Senator Gary Peters

U.S. Senator Gary Peters provided a first-hand account of the federal stimulus package and national response to the COVID-19 crisis during a special Michigan Municipal League webinar. The webinar is part of a series of informational tools, including regular emails, a constantly-updated resource page, and webinars, that the League is providing to our members during this unprecedented time in our world’s history.

 

Background on the CARES Act

Last week, the CARES Act (H.R. 748) was signed into law after passing with bipartisan support in Congress. The stimulus package provides $2.2 trillion in aid to counter the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation is the third COVID-19 bill to be passed by Congress, following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201).

Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order & What it Means for Your Community

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Courtney Nichols, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney
Laura Dinon, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney
Rhonda Stowers, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney
Sydney Puricelli, Attorney, Plunkett Cooney 

This webinar provides direction for local governments on Michigan's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order. Attorneys from the municipal law firm Plunkett Cooney give general direction to the most critical and time sensitive questions that the Michigan Municipal League is getting on this executive order, including: Who can go to work? Who is responsible for enforcement of the rule? What does this mean for our meetings? And more.

 

COVID-19 Message from Lt. Gov. Gilchrist

Host: Summer Minnick, Deputy Executive Director & CMO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Garlin Gilchrist, Lt. Governor, State of Michigan

Michigan’s Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist gives an update to local government leaders on the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.