Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging the state’s Republican-led Legislature to pass her $5.6 billion COVID-19 relief plan. The bills include tax breaks for businesses and money for food and rent assistance.
Whitmer says she plans to dedicate $575 million in federal money for the state’s pandemic response and vaccination rollout.
She says her plan is a way to start bipartisan healing.
”They'll help us get more shots in arms and ramp up vaccination distribution. Help us get our kids back on track in our schools. And it's an opportunity to join forces to protect our state.”
Whitmer also wants to allocate about two billion dollars in federal and state funding in order for more schools to get ready to reopen for in-person instruction by March 1.
State Budget Director Dave Massaron says if the Legislature approves the bills, 160,000 people could get help with rent and utilities.
“The Rental Assistance Fund which pays for people to stay in their apartments and pay their rent. It also enables people to pay utility bills.”
The COVID recovery plan includes $225 million for small businesses and tax breaks for bigger companies.
The plan will be sent to the Legislature on Wednesday.
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