Macomb Today

According to the Michigan House Republicans website, the House has endorsed a bipartisan plan by state Rep. Jeff Yaroch (R-Richmond) to protect the lives of first responders who are fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yaroch’s House Bill 5704 would protect the first responders by making it mandatory for a hospital to inform the responders if a patient they are transporting has ever tested positive for the coronavirus.

“The brave men and women on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 -- including police, firefighters, EMS workers and others who are helping get patients to hospitals -- deserve our thanks and support,” Yaroch told Michigan House Republicans. “I am proud to introduce a measure that will inform and help protect our first responders. They put their lives on the line for us every day, and that’s especially true as they selflessly help others during this unprecedented time.”

Additionally, Yaroch announced in April that he would voluntarily take a 10 percent pay cut due to the state budget repercussions of COVID-19, according to Michigan House Republicans. He announced this shortly after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced she was giving 10% of her salary back to the state.

“I appreciate that Gov. Whitmer is giving 10% of her salary back to the state -- in the spirit of shared sacrifice and unity, I am going to do the same thing,” Yaroch said, according to Michigan House Republicans. “I think gestures are important, but I think most people want the Unemployment Insurance Agency fixed.”

“My staff and I have been absolutely flooded with calls and emails from constituents about problems with their unemployment claims,” Yaroch told Michigan House Republicans. “Some have been waiting for weeks with no benefits, and they are desperate and reaching out to us because they can’t get answers from UIA. It is heartbreaking and unacceptable. It’s time for the UIA director to either ramp up his department to help our residents, or our governor needs to get someone in there who can!”