Legislature sends $465 million COVID aid package to governor's desk
The Michigan House of Representatives finalized a
$465 million supplemental budget appropriation and sent it to the governor’s desk Monday morning. The House acted after the Senate passed the supplemental late on Friday night as both chambers worked to finish the business of the 100th Michigan Legislature prior to the Christmas holidays.
Among the big-ticket items included in the appropriation:
- $220 million to the Unemployment Compensation Fund for the purpose of funding an extension in unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks- through April 1, 2021
- $100 million to extend the $2 per hour direct care worker wage increase for an additional two months (Jan. 1- Feb. 28, 2021)
- $55 million in “Small Business Survival Grants” awarded to eligible businesses with 100 or fewer employees
- $51.3 million for establishing sufficient health system capacity to manage the administration of a coronavirus vaccine
- $15 million to purchase supplies and equipment to support coronavirus testing and vaccination efforts, including personal protective equipment, test kits and dry ice
The bill also includes support for individuals through a $45 million appropriation for an employee assistance fund. The fund will provide grants to individuals who were employed in a workplace affected by gathering restrictions for facilities. Grants would be capped at $1,650 per individual.
And there is a $22.6 million appropriation for continued testing of vulnerable populations and for rapid or mobile response teams for hospitals and nursing facilities.
