LANSING — Michigan lawmakers worked until the wee hours Wednesday morning, waiting as legislative leaders and the administration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer debated behind closed doors on how best to help millions of workers and small businesses struggling due to the financial strain brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Leaders from the House and Senate met off and on for more than 16 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday with representatives from Whitmer’s administration to discuss the measures. After midnight early on Wednesday, lawmakers formalized agreements to extend unemployment benefits, outline new safety measures for nursing homes and create new legal protections for health care providers and other businesses.

© Kathleen Gray
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, as they talk to reporters Thursday, January 30, 2020 about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s

OWEGO, NY – A local hardware and home improvement store is helping raise money this month for a new partner.

Home Central has teamed up with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County for their “Round Up for Extension” initiative.

Beginning last Thursday, Home Central customers have been able to round up to the nearest dollar amount during check out to donate to CCE.

Home Central’s General Manager Ryan Rennells says he’s optimistic that people will donate to the cause, and that the store will be doing it’s part as well.

“It’s a great cause. We think people will be more than happy to donate. They do a lot of good in the area. As our part of this, everything that we are able to raise, Home Central is going to match that donation,” says Rennells.

Despite having a COVID-positive customer in late September, the Owego Home Central location remains open,

On Saturday, Housing Minister Michael Sukkar announced an additional 10,000 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme places, and raised the cap in Victoria from $600,000 to $850,000.

But the extra 10,000 places nationwide are reserved for those buying off the plan, or a newly built home.

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The scheme allows first-home buyers to purchase a home on a deposit as low as 5 per cent without paying lenders’ mortgage insurance, as the government goes guarantor on their loan.

Building industry groups have lauded the move, but warned the state’s new home industry will need further support — urging for