Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs $ 2.5 billion in relief funding for COVID-19

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed at least $ 2.5 billion in relief financing from COVID-19.

Legislation supports Whitmer’s COVID-19 recovery plan, including a $ 2.25 hourly wage increase for direct care workers, $ 283 million in federal emergency rental assistance, up to $ 110 million for vaccine administration and up to $ 555 million for testing and screening , state officials said.

“I think it is great news that we have managed to make some of the federal funding available to us appropriate, including the approval of two of my main proposals to provide a pay raise for direct care workers and more funding to help expand vaccinations. for Michiganders who are 50 or older, ”said Whitmer. “However, the reality is that there is more work to be done and there are still billions of dollars in federal funding that we need to help businesses and families across the state.”

Ads

The $ 2.25 hourly wage increase for direct assistance workers will take effect until September, according to the Associated Press. A $ 2 increase expired at the end of February.

The Whitmer government wants the remaining $ 2 billion in federal funding to be appropriated.

The governor is also vetoing the House bill 4049. The bill would require her to give up the state health department’s power to close schools and sports and instead leave the decision to local health departments.

“The bills I received were not negotiated with me or my government, and I continue to ask the legislature to work together to ensure that we maximize every penny available,” said Whitmer. “There were problems with the bills that I had to veto, and I hope the legislature will hurry to correct the bill to allocate all the money so that we can get back to normal as soon as possible.”

As part of his recovery plan, Whitmer proposed $ 665 million to expand the state’s vaccine and testing programs and $ 2.1 billion for schools. She is asking the legislature to come back to the table to take full ownership of unused federal funds.

Ads

“We are on a good road to recovery and our key metrics and numbers are improving, but we need to put the rest of the federal funding available to work, much of it aimed at helping companies and assist in their recovery,” said Whitmer. “The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and I thank all the Michigander who did their part in responding to the pandemic.”

It also proposed a total allocation of $ 622 million for rent and assistance to public services. The legislature provided $ 283 million.

Whitmer also proposed to allocate fully $ 2.7 billion to help residents feed their families. The legislature provided $ 600 million. Michiganders can apply for food assistance by visiting www.michigan.gov/MIBridges.

“The legislature tried to prohibit the expenditure of funds for the distribution of vaccines and the return to school, unless the governor signed legislation depriving the executive,” said the Director of State Budget, David Massaron. “Instead of these political games, we need to focus on how to best help companies and individuals most affected by the pandemic. Vetoes were needed and now we need to collectively refocus efforts on the best way to put resources into action to accelerate our recovery from the pandemic.

Ads

Whitmer and the Republican Legislature argued over federal relief money for months, with the governor asking lawmakers to negotiate during weekly press conferences.

The state saw his COVID-19 number plateau over the past week, after they have steadily declined over the winter. Michigan metrics have reached a point that allowed several segments of the economy to be reengaged.