Posted by: jgomori Posted date: March 25, 2021

As a result of passage of the $1.9 trillion Federal relief bill, Michigan lawmakers are debating spending scenarios for COVID-19 Federal aid. Michigan is due to receive: $10.3 billion for state and local governments; $3.5 billion to help schools reopen safely or address lost learning; $34 million for the Head Start program; and 1.3 million Michiganders now receiving food benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will continue to receive an additional $27; Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law supplemental spending for vaccine distribution, COVID-19 testing, a $2.25-an-hour direct care worker pay increase, emergency rental assistance and money for Title 1 schools, but vetoed a legislative property tax relief program, state dollars for the state’s unemployment fund, payments to non-public schools and any relief to state liquor and license fees; With a Republican request to investigate the Governor’s nursing home policies having been turned down by Attorney General Dana Nessel, some Republicans are considering appointing a special prosecutor; The Michigan House of Representatives introduced a sweeping bipartisan 15-bill package of legislation aimed to increase access to health care and reduce costs for patients, according to House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell); Under House-passed election reform legislation (HBs 4127 and 4128), electors who have “placeholder birthdates” on the Qualified Voter File (QVF) or have not voted in the last 20 years would receive a mailing from the Secretary of State asking them to verify they are still eligible to vote; the state tax deadline has been extended to May 17; House Democrats are seeking stiff penalties for some employers, such as those who are delinquent on their unemployment insurance taxes due to fraud. The six-bill package of legislation is part of House Democrats “Hardworking Michiganders Recovery Plan.”

For more information on these and other legislative issues, click on the March 2021 Karoub Report below.

 March 2021 Karoub Report