Waterford Today

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new $2.3 billion COVID-19 spending plan, while also rejecting a Republican-controlled Legislature proposal of $652 million in relief for small business and others, according to reporting by Bridge Michigan. 

“This desperately needed assistance was not tied to any other measure or condition in the relief plan -- yet the governor vetoed it anyway, and with it, she is killing off whatever hope struggling families and job providers had left,” House Appropriations Chairman Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) told Bridge Michigan. 

While the $2.3 billion spending plan is not even half of the $5 billion federal funds sent to Michigan, the plan includes $110 million for vaccine distribution, $150 million in direct care worker pay raises, $283 million for emergency assistance programs for families and $1 billion for schools. 

Sen. Jim Stamas | #MiSenateGOP

“The bills I received were not negotiated with me or my administration, and I continue to call on the Legislature to ensure that we work together to ensure we maximize every penny that is available,” Whitmer said, as reported by Bridge Michigan. “There were problems in the bills that I had to veto, and I expect the Legislature to step up to fix the bill to allocate all of the money so we can get back to normal as soon as possible.”

Whitmer vetoed a $405 million Republican small business relief proposal that would allow business tax and fee breaks. She had previously proposed $225 million in business grants, but this was rejected by the Legislature.

In addition, Whitmer also rejected $150 million to assist the employer-funded Unemployment Insurance Fund, $87 million in relief for private schools and $10 million in grants for parents to cover summer school expenses. 

Because of the vetoes, Republicans are accusing Whitmer of turning her back on businesses needing relief most due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. 

According to the report, Senate Appropriations Chairman Jim Stamas (R-Midland) said Whitmer was putting her power ahead of relief funding. “[It is a] sad day for our system of government, our students trying to catch up and the family-owned businesses trying to survive after being shut down by the governor without a path for reopening,” Stamas told Bridge Michigan. 

Budget Director Dave Massaron has requested a meeting with House and Senate appropriations chairs to talk about spending plans and the future of more federal funds potentially coming into the state from the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package. 

“If we can get together in a room and discuss our common goal to help the people of Michigan, I believe we can come to an agreement on putting the remaining federal dollars to work for our state,” Massaron said, as reported by Bridge Michigan.