Michigan lawmakers, Whitmer agree to $465M in virus aid
"LANSING — Michigan lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer agreed to a $465 million pandemic spending plan, including relief payments to businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat because of the coronavirus and government restrictions to curb its spread.
"The legislation received overwhelming Senate support late Friday and is expected to win House passage on Monday before legislators adjourn for the year. Nearly half of the funding would be used to continue, through March, a maximum 26 weeks of unemployment benefits in a year instead of 20 weeks."
A Federal stimulus bill also appears to be headed for approval. Whether this is enough to help ordinary citizens survive the impending economic fallout from the COVID pandemic, at least it is not nothing.
The State bi-partisan agreement includes:
- $220 million to extend, not expand, unemployment benefits through March.
- $100 million in hazard pay for frontline workers helping to fight COVID-19. That's extending a $2 per hour raise offered earlier this year through the end of February.
- $79.1 million for the administration and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.$63.5 million for a “small business survival grant program.”
- $45 million in direct aid for people who lost their job or were furloughed because of the pandemic. Eligible Michigan residents can receive up to
- $1,650 through this fund.$22.55 million for testing of vulnerable communities, such as nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
- $3.5 million for local concert venues.
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