LANSING, MI – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked the Michigan Legislature to pass several measures to address the coronavirus pandemic, including a $100 million COVID relief plan, according to multiple reports.
The coronavirus pandemic is “the most urgent public health emergency our state has faced in our lifetime,” Whitmer wrote in a Wednesday, Nov. 25 letter to Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, House Speaker Lee Chatfield, Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich and House Democratic Leader Christine Greig.
Along with the $100 million COVID relief plan, Whitmer asked the legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits and legislation to protect public health, including requiring masks in public, according to WXYZ.
Whitmer and other Democratic leaders from Michigan’s Legislature sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Congress on Nov. 19 asking for another COVID-19 relief bill. However, the state cannot afford to wait, Whitmer wrote.
Trump must stop spreading election ‘untruths,’ start working on COVID-19 relief, Whitmer says
“It is crucial for us to come together now to pass a targeted, state-based economic stimulus plan up to $100 million that will provide direct financial support to the families and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic,” Whitmer wrote.
She urged Legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits -- which expire right after the holidays – and to increase the weekly benefit and expand the state’s Workshare program.
The state government has already taken temporary actions to limit indoor gatherings, require face coverings in public and protect workers, but Whitmer wrote that there is more that Legislature can do together.
“Passing legislation to require masks in public – which received bipartisan support this week – would greatly improve compliance, assist law enforcement, and help slow the spread of COVID-19,” Whitmer wrote.
Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, announced Nov. 24 that he would support a bill that requires masks to be worn in indoor places, even though it does not align necessarily with other officials in his own party.
Whitmer added that she would welcome Legislature’s ideas on science-based solutions to protect public health, and that with the federal Coronavirus Relief Funds expiring next month, the state should focus spending on direct public health costs like hospital overflow staffing, testing, personal protective equipment and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in prisons and congregate care settings.
“The Lt. Governor and I have both lost people who were close to us due to this virus, and I know people you care for have been impacted as well,” Whitmer wrote.
The House and Senate resume sessions on Dec. 1.
READ MORE:
Biden’s focus on climate change could mean jobs for Michigan
Saturday, Nov. 28, coronavirus data by county: Kent, Ottawa back above 15% positivity rate
Video: Hospital staff share struggle of daily life working inside COVID unit