LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/AM) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday morning signed the bipartisan relief bill that the Michigan legislature passed last week, with the money designed to provide support for Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses.
The relief bill includes $55 million to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grants of up to $20,000 will be made available to small businesses across the state that need support this winter. The relief bill also includes $3.5 million for grants of up to $40,000 each for live music and entertainment venues, and includes $45 million in direct payments to workers who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the virus.
“I proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief. This bipartisan bill will provide families and businesses the support they need to stay afloat as we continue working to distribute the safe and effective vaccine and eliminate COVID-19 once and for all,” said Governor Whitmer. “There is still more work to do to eliminate this virus and grow our economy. All Michiganders have a personal responsibility to do their part and mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. We will beat this virus together.”
The governor also signed a bill extending unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks until the end of March 2021, but at a press conference Tuesday morning, continued to push the legislature for a permanent extension.
In signing the relief bill, the Governor line item vetoed $220 million set to go to the employer-owned Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, calling it a “giveaway of taxpayer money.” The pool of funds is designed to help businesses fund benefits for laid off workers., but the Governor said general fund dollars must be used to fund essential services like vaccines and PPE, “not to give tax breaks to big businesses.”
Whitmer was asked the timeline for applications and the distribution of the direct payments and grants. She said “we’re moving quickly” but had no specific dates yet.
Sunday President Trump signed a federal COVID-19 relief bill that provides some support for Michigan’s unemployed workers. This bill extends benefits to self-employed and gig workers and provides all unemployment recipients with an additional $300 per week. The extension affects nearly 700,000 Michigan workers currently receiving benefits under the federal UI programs.
