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Governor Whitmer says she’ll support a bill that will direct how $850 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund money will be spent in Michigan.
The supplemental budget bill will allocate $120 million to raise the wages of direct care workers by $2.00 per hour through September. $125 million will be used to subsidize child care costs. $100 million will be passed on to local governments for hazard pay for local first responders. Another $100 million will be used for small business support. Additional money will be directed to rental and utility assistance, support for food banks and domestic violence shelters, safety protections in schools and workplaces, and internet connectivity.
The bill was passed unanimously by the state House of Representatives Wednesday, and is now being considered by the Senate.
Whitmer says she’s grateful for the federal help, but more money will be needed to assist Michigan and other states as they face huge deficits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the financial uncertainty, the July 1st deadline for completion of Michigan’s 2020-2021 budget has been delayed to September.
