The Michigan Legislature has approved a $465 million COVID-19 relief package before the end of 2020. | Pixabay
The Michigan Legislature has approved a $465 million COVID-19 relief package before the end of 2020. | Pixabay
Michigan lawmakers approved a $465 million COVID-19 relief package, but the Michigan Senate failed to approve legislation to subject legislators and the governor to the same transparency rules that local governments must follow.
The relief package includes $340 million for COVID-19 relief, including testing, supplies, vaccine distribution, hazard pay for teachers and direct care workers and grants for small businesses that felt the effects of the pandemic, Bridge Michigan reported.
Businesses fully or partially closed by state health orders can get up to $20,000 in grants from a $55 million fund. Lawmakers included $3.5 million for grants of up to $40,000 for live entertainment and music venues that have been closed. Another $45 million was set aside for grants to pay up to $1,650 per worker at companies fully or partially closed during the pandemic.
Rep. Lee Chatfield
| Michigan House Republicans
“People are worried about the effects of the latest shutdown and what it means for their families,” said outgoing House Speaker Lee Chatfield, (R Levering), according to Bridge Michigan.
Businesses won’t have to pay the cost of extended unemployment benefits if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs the bill, which would put another $220 million into the state’s Unemployment Compensation Fund.
The Michigan Senate failed to take up transparency legislation, however, before it adjourned. That killed a proposal to subject legislators and the governor to public records requests. Michigan continues its blanket exemption from following the public disclosure rules required of local government officials.
"This was not delayed due to a political unwillingness to move it forward," Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) told Bridge Michigan. "It was just all of the chaos of 2020 pushed this one further back."
Both the House and Senate approved a bill to require legislative approval to extend existing or new emergency public health orders longer than 28 days. Whitmer is expected to veto the measure.
Republican lawmakers accuse the governor of using Michigan Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon to get around a Michigan Supreme Court ruling prohibiting her from issuing her own executive health orders without legislative approval.
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