MARQUETTE — Michigan businesses with liquor licenses would not have to pay on-premises liquor license fees this year and an on-premises spirits discount would be increased and extended under legislation approved by the Michigan Senate on Wednesday.

“Michigan’s bars and restaurants were hit hard by the state’s crushing response to the coronavirus,” said Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, in a statement.

McBroom sponsored Senate Bill 230.

“Through no fault of their own, most establishments spent most of the past year closed and their staff out of work,” McBroom said. “It doesn’t make any sense to further punish bars and restaurants with liquor license fees they can’t afford because they weren’t allowed to conduct business. This bill provides them needed relief at a time when they’re just getting back on their feet.”

SB 230 would waive Michigan Liquor Control Commission license fees for on-premises liquor license holders this year. Fees would be waived for: watercraft licensed to carry passengers and selling alcohol; hotels with class A and B licenses; taverns selling beer and wine; class C licenses selling beer, wine, mixed spirit drinks; clubs selling beer, wine, mixed spirit drinks; brewpubs; class G-1 and G-2 licenses; motorsport event licenses; and nonpublic continuing care retirement center licenses.

Fees also would be waived for: specially designated merchant licenses held in conjunction with an on-premises license; tasting room licenses; banquet facility liquor licenses; catering liquor licenses; and on-premises retailers and manufacturers under Section 1115 issued under Section 536.

“It is morally wrong for the state to charge someone a fee for a privilege they are then prohibited to utilize,” McBroom said. “I find it repugnant, and we should have given them their money back months ago. The state took in more revenue from alcohol sales last year than at any other time in history — more than 20% more revenue.

“We need to provide these businesses with relief from what was basically stolen from them last year while the state benefited from increased sales.”

The bill also would extend the current spirits discount from the state for on-premises licensees to Dec. 31, 2023, as well as increase the discount to 23%.

SB 230 now goes to the Michigan House of Representatives for consideration.

Cabrera volunteers for commission

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Wednesday that Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera has volunteered to serve as a co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission and help promote the state’s COVID-19 vaccination and education efforts.

“We are grateful that ‘Miggy’ is stepping up to the plate to help inform Michiganders on the importance of getting their COVID-19 vaccinations,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We appreciate the tremendous support and advocacy from the Detroit Tigers because this is an all-hands-on-deck moment in our state’s effort to persevere and overcome the pandemic.”

Cabrera, nicknamed “Miggy,” is an 11-time Major League Baseball all-star and two-time American League most valuable player who joined the Tigers in December 2007. He and the Tigers have offered to produce public service announcements in English and Spanish that will encourage Michiganders to get vaccinated and continue to practice preventative measures such as properly wearing masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing to reduce the spread of the virus until the vast majority of people have been vaccinated, the governor’s office said.

“I am honored by Gov. Whitmer’s appointment as a co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission and look forward to using my platform to increase awareness of how getting vaccinated can help slow COVID-19 infections,” Cabrera said in a statement. “Based on what I know from getting vaccinated already, the shots are nowhere near as bad as the virus. Our goal with the commission is to get as many people vaccinated as possible, and I hope my support toward that end is successful.”

Whitmer created the Protect Michigan Commission in January. The appointees represent a diverse array of industries, professions and backgrounds. Housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, they are charged with helping to ensure every Michigander has a plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19 once the opportunity becomes available. Their goal is facilitating at least 100,000 shots in people’s arms daily.

“The Detroit Tigers are proud to join with Gov. Whitmer and members of the Protect Michigan Commission,” said Chris Granger, group president of Sports & Entertainment at Ilitch Holdings, which owns the Detroit Tigers. “Together, we urge all Michiganders and fans of the Tigers to get vaccinated and prevent the spread of COVID-19 so that we can return to the full stadiums, arenas, concerts and sporting events that we all love so much.”

As of Wednesday, Michigan had administered almost 6.6 million vaccines. Currently, 48.8% of Michiganders ages 16 and older have received at least one dose, with 35.9% percent of Michiganders ages 16 and older being fully vaccinated, the governor’s office reported. This moves the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible.

Week celebrated

Michigan health officials and parents from the I Vaccinate campaign are celebrating National Infant Immunization Week, which runs through Saturday. This week highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases through immunization.

“Infant Immunization Week comes at a critical time in Michigan, as we have seen a significant drop in vaccination rates of younger children during the pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief deputy director for health and chief medical executive for the MDHHS, in a statement. “Vaccination is the safest, most effective way to protect not only your child, but also your entire community, from vaccine-preventable diseases — including those who are too young or too sick to be immunized.”

In many states, including Michigan, vaccination rates of younger children dropped during the pandemic as parents postponed well-child visits to protect their kids from COVID-19. As a result, vaccination rates for Michigan children ages 19 to 36 months have fallen below 70% in 42 of 83 Michigan counties, according to February data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. While community immunity is different for each disease and vaccine, doctors and public health experts generally agree that a 70% vaccination rate is the minimum protection level desired.

The 10 areas with the lowest vaccination rates for children ages 19 to 36 months are: Oscoda County, 45.2%; city of Detroit, 49%; Gladwin County, 55.9%; Iron County, 58.3%; Lake County, 59.2%; Clare County, 59.3%; Otsego County, 59.9%; Mackinac County, 60.7%; Cass County, 61%; and Houghton County, 61.3%.

“At a time when our health care system is becoming once again overwhelmed (by the) COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important that we avoid outbreaks of preventable, serious diseases,” said Bob Swanson, MDHHS immunization division director, in a statement. “It’s time to catch up Michigan children who did not get their routine vaccinations over the past year so we can protect them and our friends, families and loved ones who are medically unable to be vaccinated.”

Michigan parents with vaccination questions can find answers based on medical science at IVaccinate.org, which stated that when 90% to 95% of a community is protected, it is nearly impossible for a vaccine-preventable disease to spread.

Nessel warns about scams

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to ensure Michiganders don’t fall for fake advertisements or “too-good-to-be-true” treatments related to COVID-19.

In her latest Consumer Protection video, Nessel shares what to do to avoid being scammed by people claiming to have a treatment for COVID-19 or the vaccine.

“We’re at a point in this pandemic where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but bad actors are trying to take advantage of that collective hope by making false promises,” Nessel said. “Please continue to do your research and use trusted sources before making any decision that may affect your health.”

Earlier this month, Nessel told people to avoid vaccine survey scams offering a reward in exchange for personal information.

Additionally, she said it’s important to always remember:

≤ Be suspicious of any product that claims to treat COVID-19.

≤ Never purchase so-called treatment over the internet.

≤ if you get a text, email or phone call from someone you don’t know about a vaccine or treatment, don’t respond or send your personal information.

≤ If you’re looking for the COVID-19 vaccine, visit a doctor, a trusted pharmacy or the local health department for shots.

The video is part of a series of videos focused on protecting Michiganders, which are posted periodically on the attorney general’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.