Month: March 2021

LANSING, Mich., March 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In response to Governor Whitmer’s line-item veto of key provisions in the Legislature’s supplemental budget, the Michigan Chamber voiced frustration that the Governor rejected support for businesses that were forced by government to shut down and/or operate under strict limitations that have severely limited their ability to operate.

The Governor’s line-item vetoes included $300 million in direct financial relief for businesses most adversely impacted by the MI Department of Health and Human Services’ Epidemic Orders and $150 million in funding to help stabilize the Unemployment Trust Fund (“Fund”) due to massive fraud perpetuated by the gross mismanagement of the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

“House Republicans led the charge on a comprehensive, thoughtful and significant COVID-19 business relief plan that would have helped the businesses that have experienced the greatest hardships during this pandemic,” said Dan Papineau, Director of Tax Policy and Regulatory Affairs.  “If government forces a business to close or significantly impacts their ability to operate, then government must put forward fair and meaningful financial relief.

“We support the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package sent to the Governor and are disappointed with the line-item vetoes,” Papineau continued.  “For the third time, Governor Whitmer has vetoed relief to help struggling businesses cover their property tax bills.  Businesses forced to close for almost an entire year are obviously going to have a hard time paying property taxes to local governments.  This legislation would have alleviated a huge financial burden on struggling businesses while ensuring our local governments receive the resources they need at such a critical time,” said Papineau.

Local governments are already facing hardships through dramatic losses in local income tax revenue as well as economic activity by way of foot traffic in their local downtowns.  The Michigan Chamber is leading the effort to help head off this problem by creating the Reopen Now, Reopen Safely Coalition.

The Governor also vetoed funding that would help stabilize the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, the fund that pays benefits to claimants.

“During the height of the pandemic the Unemployment Insurance Agency decided fraud detection wasn’t a priority and turned off its fraud detection software thereby saddling job providers with a huge tax burden to cover governmental mismanagement,” said Wendy Block, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Member Engagement.  “As a direct result of Agency willfully ignoring fraud, more than $800 million in fraudulent unemployment claims were paid to criminal claimants.”

“Unemployment insurance is 100% employer financed and the financial support Governor Whitmer vetoed would have covered fraudulent claims that struggling Michigan businesses will have to now pay for,” continued Block.  “Business in an already weak position should not be left paying for questionable decisions and mistakes by government.”

The Michigan Chamber is a statewide business organization that represents approximately 5,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. It was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.  www.michamber.com

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SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce

MIAMI, March 9, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — There’s an angelic and sultry voice about to seduce music lovers into feeling a bit delirious after hearing it and it belongs to blonde-haired beauty, Samantka.

The Chicago native is releasing her hot new single and naming it after the City she now calls home, “Miami.” Teaming up with fellow Floridian-based rapper, songwriter, and producer Andrez Babbii, the dynamic duo’s reggaetón infused single lays the fresh and sultry voice of Samantka to rhythmic beats promising to drive many on their feet.
— listen HERE.

Samantka’s freshman album features an array of sounds, as the singer doesn’t favor just one particular genre of music. Her eclectic ear embraces an array of musical styles such as Classical Music, Foreign specifically Russian, German, and Latin, Hip-Hop, Indie, Grime, and Contemporary. She also acknowledges her talent for singing is a gift she discovered at an early age. According to Samantka, “Ever since I was a child, reading, writing, and music were my passions and once I was old enough to choose my path in life, I chose music.” Most of the songs on her freshman album for East and West Entertainment are from the singer’s past personal experiences and that of those close to her. 

Samantka’s collaboration with Platinum recording artist Andrez Babbii can best be defined as paying it forward. The Ecuadorian-born, Miami raised Babbii first hit the music scene in 2018 when he joined forces with late rapper XXXTentación. Their first single spent seven weeks on the charts and secured over 300 million streams worldwide. Since then, Babbii has continued to release singles and freestyles amassing over 2 million views on his Youtube Channel and 2.5 million streams across all platforms. 

Watch Video Here!

Also putting his musical talents on the single Miami is the highly influential producer and writer, Fresh Kid Cue who was nominated for a Latin Grammy.

The eldest of three siblings, 20-year old Samantka is setting the bar high. Her drive is evident not only in the pursuit of her dreams but also in her educational pursuits as she simultaneously studies Law and Psychology in college.

“MIAMI” IS NOW ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS
ONERPR

For the latest news on Samantka follow:
INSTAGRAM   FACEBOOK  
YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Download Pictures:
Samantka & Andrez Babii

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1452855/Miami_update_cover.jpg  
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1452856/4.jpg

SOURCE East and West Entertainment