Member Voices
Notes from Corporate Members
September 14, 2020
Avangrid Renewables
COVID-19 has driven Avangrid Renewables to operate its existing power generation fleet across two dozen states in new and different ways while also providing more than a half-million dollars in medical and nutrition assistance to communities across Avangrid Renewables’ footprint. Kevin Lynch, Managing Director, External Affairs, reports that more than 95 percent of Avangrid's office staff have been working remotely since March. "Our South Texas wind projects endured Hurricane Hanna while our west coast facilities and main office staff are coping with the catastrophic fires,” says Kevin. "On a positive note, this year we have completed a new wind farm in Illinois, are in advanced construction on plants in South Dakota, New Mexico, and New York, and are breaking ground on new projects in Oregon and Washington, all under work practices designed to protect construction crews and local communities."
August 23, 2020
Recording Industry
Association of America
Among those financially impacted by the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic have been hundreds of thousands of people who work in the live music and entertainment industries. As studio lots, theaters, concert halls and other venues closed across the country, the jobs of performers, musicians, managers, producers, promoters, stagehands, drivers, and countless others vanished as well.
Rafael Fernandez, Jr., Senior Vice President, State Public Policy and Industry Relations at RIAA, reports that music companies are advocating for COVID relief. The RIAA led more than four dozen partner organizations to send letters to Congress seeking emergency unemployment insurance access, emergency paid leave, tax credits, and other programs for those who cannot work due to canceled performances or production shutdowns. The RIAA also outlined additional steps Congress can take to further ensure that the entertainment community is not forgotten during this time. Additionally, RIAA launched MusicCOVIDRelief.com, a one-stop resource hub for musicians and songwriters who need financial assistance.
July 20, 2020
UPS
UPS is using its logistics and transportation resources and expertise to support first responders and healthcare workers, deliver for its customers and keep communities safe. Mike Kiely, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for U.S. Government Affairs, shared that the company is assisting with the logistics planning and operation of drive-up coronavirus testing sites in several cities across the U.S. while also delivering millions of testing components per week. Additionally, UPS is shipping personal protective equipment (PPE) to relief workers around the world and working with healthcare companies to bolster the resilience of their supply chains. Finally, the UPS Foundation has surpassed $16 million in grants to numerous organizations that are aiding in the distribution of PPE for healthcare workers and other life-sustaining activities for impacted individuals and communities. Learn more about UPS’s response efforts here.
July 9, 2020
Unilever
Unilever United States launched United For America, a wide-ranging set of measures to support the American people during the COVID-19 pandemic, reported Stefani Millie Grant, Senior Manager, External Affairs and Sustainability at Unilever. As part of the initiative, Unilever contributed over $20 million in products and services to help those impacted by the pandemic, including donations of food, soap, personal hygiene and home cleaning products. On May 21, along with over 90 of our business partners, we organized a day of service for our employees and directed an equivalent of one day’s worth of products produced in our U.S. plants to frontline aid organizations, Feeding America and Direct Relief, who will deliver our donations to those affected by COVID-19. The next phase will focus on working in cities to deliver services needed to rebuild economies and communities.
July 2, 2020
Motion Picture Association-America
The Motion Picture Association-America (MPA-A) and its member companies are supporting the industry and its workforce through direct aid, as well as through federal, state and local advocacy, reports Vans Stevenson, Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs. To date, MPA-A member companies have established over a billion dollars in relief funds, donated critical PPE and other essential goods from productions, and created PSAs and other informational content for communities to stay safe and healthy during this unprecedented crisis. The industry also continues to do what it does best: keep people entertained, inspired, informed and connected while at home. Learn more here.
June 9, 2020
SAS
SAS has been working with states to provide real-time data analytics to help understand, measure and react to threats relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Paula Henderson, Senior VP, US Commercial and Public Sector. SAS helps governments by aggregating huge volumes of disparate data sets to track COVID-19 cases and overlay insights and trends that identify at-risk populations. The company also provides hospital capacity analyses and integrates data for more efficient emergency management. As states look to the recovery phase, SAS assists in integrating data sets and providing analytics that enhance revenue forecasting and economic modeling to augment budget planning. Please click here to see some of the solutions SAS has created to assist states from the perspectives of public health, transparency and economic recovery.
Eli Lilly
With stress on our economy amid the crisis caused by COVID-19, many people may struggle to pay for their medicines. Daniel J. Wahby, Sr. Director of State Government Affairs for Eli Lilly, notes that Lilly has long provided help to anyone having trouble affording insulin and other medications. In addition to its Diabetes Solution Center, Lilly recently announced participation in a Medicare Part D program to reduce the cost of insulin to seniors. Beginning January 1, 2021, participating seniors will see out-of-pocket costs for covered Lilly insulins reduced to no more than $35 per 30-day supply. Lilly also has affordability programs for medicines that treat cancer, migraine, immunology and other conditions. All are invited to visit Lilly.com and to share this information with constituents or anyone having trouble affording their Lilly medicine.
May 21, 2020
Intuit
Anika Hagenson, Sr. Manager, State Government Relations, shared that Intuit continues to create resources to help individuals... MORE
May 20, 2020
Walmart
Walmart has undertaken significant efforts to ensure the health of communities and associates during the COVID-19 crisis... MORE
April 22, 2020
The Proctor & Gamble Company
Beth Percynski, Senior Manager, State Government Relations, described the efforts P&G is... MORE
April 22, 2020
Novartis
Novartis has been quick to mobilize its expertise and philanthropic aid in response to COVID-19, reports Tommy Suter, Director ... MORE
April 15, 2020
Anthem
Kevin Riordan, Regional Vice President, Federal Affairs, checked in with information on... MORE
September 3, 2020
Robert Stivers II
President of the Senate (KY)
August 3, 2020
Mary Kay Papen
President Pro Tempore (NM)
“Governor Lujan Grisham acted quickly and decisively early on in this pandemic, which helped keep our positive case rate low and gave us the much-needed time to build out our testing and healthcare capacity, but we have seen our numbers climb and continue to take measures to control the spread. People are frustrated with the health orders and the economy is certainly suffering — our gross receipts have plummeted and it’s going to be a long road to economic recovery. Restaurants are having a difficult time operating and some say 50% of them have closed or will close permanently. I also worry about the longer-term toll this is going to take in terms of behavioral health. But we are a strong state and we will get through this.
“Being in a border region poses additional challenges. Travel to and from Texas and Mexico is a part of our daily lives and a critical component of our economy, but we are still seeing unnecessary travel that increases everyone’s risk. Our current health orders include a mandate that all travelers coming into the state self-quarantine for 14 days. This too will take a toll on our economy which relies heavily on the tourism industry — but the more proactive we are now, the sooner we will come out of this.”
August 29, 2020
Mike Shirkey
Senate Majority Leader (MI)
“None of us were prepared for the impact of COVID-19. In Michigan, the legislature and governor initially worked together to respond in the early days of the pandemic. Unfortunately, our cooperative relationship was brief. For months now, Michigan’s governor has relied upon a distorted interpretation of state law to govern almost exclusively by executive order. As a result, the state legislature has been prohibited from participating in the policy-making process when it comes to responding to virus-related issues in our state.
“COVID presents many challenges, but none of us anticipated it would usher in an era of government by executive order in our state. As legislators, we firmly believe that citizens benefit from our known system of government that is based on the fundamental principle of' ‘checks and balances.’ We were ready to fight a battle against the virus, but we never expected to fight a battle against our own governor to uphold our duty as elected representatives.
“We eagerly await the outcome of the lawsuit we were forced to file against the executive in order to restore our state’s system of government. This court case will determine whether we will once again fully participate as a legislative body in policymaking or be forced to watch as state law is misused to maintain a lengthy period of governing by executive order.”
July 15, 2020
David B. McBride
Senate President Pro Tempore (DE)
“Delaware is blessed to be a small state. We often know most of our constituents as neighbors, which allows us to work closely with our business community, nonprofits and other stakeholder groups to respond rapidly in a crisis. Fortunately, the General Assembly also had the foresight several years ago to grant our Governor the freedom to act quickly during a State of Emergency, while ensuring our Legislature also had the ability to continue its work remotely.
“These factors have allowed Delaware to quickly and effectively tailor its response to the pandemic in a way that makes sense across our state, whether that’s containing hotspots to specific geographies or amending our restrictions based on the needs of our communities. We’ve also been able to work across the aisle to establish key protections, such as a vote-by-mail option for the current election cycle, legislation that supports our first responders and policies that ensure we can continue providing the valuable services our most vulnerable residents depend on.”
For more information, including regularly updated guidance and metrics, see Delaware’s Response to Coronavirus Disease.
July 9, 2020
Greg Treat
Senate President Pro Tempore (OK)
June 18, 2020
Dominick J. Ruggerio
President of the Senate (RI)
June 9, 2020
Phil Berger
Senate President Pro Tempore (NC)
May 28, 2020
Rodric Bray
Senate President Pro Tempore (IN)
“The COVID-19 pandemic is creating real challenges for our citizens and governments across... MORE
May 28, 2020
Page Cortez
President of the Senate (LA)
“Louisiana is no stranger to adversity and our greatest asset is our citizenry. We entered the... MORE
May 18, 2020
Brent Hill
Senate President Pro Tempore (ID)
“I was so looking forward to getting back together with my friends from SPF, but that too will... MORE
April 29, 2020
Ron Kouchi
President of the Senate (HI)
April 22, 2020
Stuart Adams
President of the Senate (UT)
“In Utah, we aim to move into a new phase while maintaining many of the same efforts... MORE
Karen Fann
President of the Senate (AZ)
“Arizona has been very blessed with good weather and a strong economy which is helping... MORE
Messages from Senate Leaders
May 20, 2020
Novartis
Novartis has been quick to mobilize its expertise and philanthropic aid in response to COVID-19, reports Tommy Suter, Director of State Government Affairs. Initiatives include a commitment to donate up to 130 million doses of hydroxychloroquine; the development of a COVID-19 Response Fund, which will provide $120M in support of impacted communities around the world; and several efforts to leverage Novartis’ capabiliites in discovery, development and scale-up manufacturing. Read more here.
May 21, 2020
Intuit
Anika Hagenson, Sr. Manager, State Government Relations, shared that Intuit continues to create resources to help individuals and small businesses navigate the complexity of finances during COVID-19. “Intuit announced an investment of more than $8 million through several initiatives in late March, and we’re not stopping there,” said Anika. The maker of TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint developed a free online tool to calculate federal stimulus payments and help those who don’t file taxes to register with the IRS, assess federal PPP loan eligibility and apply for funds through QuickBooks Capital, and to help individuals understand how to apply for unemployment and adjust their own budgets. Learn more about Intuit’s resources here.
May 20, 2020
Walmart
Walmart has undertaken significant efforts to ensure the health of communities and associates during the COVID-19 crisis, reports Gerard Dehrmann, Walmart’s Senior Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations. The company has partnered with states and local municipalities to provide PPE, other essential items, services, and operational assistance. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed more than $35M in cash and in-kind donations to combatting COVID-19 and supporting workers on the frontlines. In response to a request from HHS, Walmart opened drive-through testing sites in many of its parking lots, notably in hot spots and underserved areas. Walmart has hired 200,000 associates since the beginning of the pandemic, and has committed nearly $1B in bonuses for their associates in recognition for their outstanding contributions and ongoing efforts. Learn more about Walmart’s efforts here.
April 22, 2020
Stuart Adams
President of the Senate (UT)
“In Utah, we aim to move into a new phase while maintaining many of the same efforts that have been effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and crushing the curve. Our current stay-at-home practices are not sustainable economically. We need a thoughtful, data-driven approach that will help get Utahns back to work without causing a resurgence of cases. The Utah Legislature convened in a virtual special session on April 16 to consider policies and address urgent needs — the House Speaker and I were in the Capitol, and the rest of the Legislature participated via video conferencing. We’re working hard to protect both lives and livelihoods.”
April 15, 2020
Anthem
Kevin Riordan, Regional Vice President, Federal Affairs, checked in with information on Anthem’s COVID-related initiatives in support of local communities, including several steps to ensure access to care; cost-free telehealth services for physical and behavioral health; paid leave for Anthem medical professionals to support COVID care providers; plus expanded coverage for members undergoing treatment related to a COVID-19 diagnosis. Read more here.
June 8 Update: Anthem announced further commitments to drive national change with a $50 million pledge focused on directly impacting racial injustice, strengthening communities and addressing health inequities.
May 28, 2020
Page Cortez
President of the Senate (LA)
“Louisiana is no stranger to adversity and our greatest asset is our citizenry. We entered the COVID-19 pandemic scene with one of the highest growth rates in the world and it quickly became clear that New Orleans was a ‘hot spot’ for the virus. Despite these statistics, the dedication of our leaders combined with the resiliency of our residents ensured that this trajectory was quickly controlled. While the threat posed by the virus continues, we are increasingly encouraged by data that reflects fewer cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. And, as our first priority remains the health and safety of our people, it is also our obligation to protect the livelihoods of our small business owners and support economic recovery across the state.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature as we move forward with our 2020 Regular Legislative Session and into a special session. We are working diligently to do the people’s work while balancing the welfare of our citizens as we reopen Louisiana.”
April 22, 2020
Karen Fann
President of the Senate (AZ)
“Arizona has been very blessed with good weather and a strong economy which is helping us get through the COVID-19 epidemic. As of April 9, we had 3,018 confirmed cases and 89 deaths. We are hoping the apex will peak in the next two weeks which will allow us to start the recovering process. If you would like more details about how we are handling the epidemic, go to ArizonaTogether.org or search Arizona Senate Republicans. My prayers are with all of you and your families and I’m looking forward to when our ‘family’ can enjoy our friendships again in person.”
May 18, 2020
Brent Hill
Senate President Pro Tempore (ID)
“I was so looking forward to getting back together with my friends from SPF, but that too will have to wait a while. Our hearts go out to those of you from states that have been hit hard by COVID-19.
“The damage to Idaho has been relatively light so far. Our governor reacted early and decisively, not only to the health crisis but also by effectively utilizing the federal disaster funds we received. Like many states, Idaho’s economy is reopening in stages. We just entered Stage 2, and over 95% of our businesses are now authorized to open with appropriate safeguards. The White House has recognized Idaho as an example and we are always willing to share anything that might help other states. You can check out our approach on the Idaho Rebounds website and, of course, you are always welcome to contact me directly. Best wishes. Hope to see you soon!”.
April 22, 2020
The Proctor & Gamble Company
Beth Percynski, Senior Manager, State Government Relations, described the efforts P&G is currently pursuing under the banner “Stepping Up as a Force for Good.” In addition to providing product donations and financial support to in-need communities, P&G installed new lines to start production of hand sanitizer which will help ensure safe internal operations and is being shared with hospitals, health authorities, and relief organizations. Work is also underway to produce critically needed face masks. Learn more about P&G’s efforts here.
May 28, 2020
Rodric Bray
Senate President Pro Tempore (IN)
“The COVID-19 pandemic is creating real challenges for our citizens and governments across America. With Governor Holcomb's leadership, we have tried to make informed decisions based on science and real data. For that reason, we have had some success slowing the spread of this virus. That has allowed our governor to lay out a five-stage plan to reopen our economy, giving our citizens a clear view of how we will get back to work.
“Indiana has also partnered with Indiana University to conduct a scientific study of how many Hoosiers have or have had COVID-19 and whether they were symptomatic. This data-driven approach was highlighted by The New York Times and will help our state make informed decisions as we continue to navigate this unprecedented situation.”
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