Sturgis-Coldwater News

Members of the Michigan Legislature passed a $4.2 billion COVID-19 relief bill on March 3, giving the state the go-ahead to spend $3.45 billion of $5 billion in federal funding allocated to it last December, according to reporting by Bridge Michigan.

However, Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature accused Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who they say wanted a $5.6 billion plan, of attempting to twist facts so that she can retain greater control over the state's COVID-19 response.

"Whitmer... is likely to veto some of the proposed funding because it’s tied to separate bills that would force her to give up her authority to respond to the pandemic,” op-ed columnist Jonathan Oosting wrote in Bridge Michigan.

The $4.2 billion plan passed with bipartisan support and calls for increases in education funding, vaccine distribution, tax relief for business, unemployment insurance and assistance for property owners and renters.

Whitmer, who was not part of the bargaining, disagreed with not allocating all of the federal money for the pandemic. Approximately $1.5 billion of the federal money has not been spent and could accrue to $2.6 billion if Whitmer chooses to veto Republican-backed portions of the legislation.

Republicans said they could delay spending the money until later this year, thereby maintaining some bargaining power with the governor. Whitmer accused Republicans of jeopardizing public health and school funding.

The report disputed the accusation that Michigan would get fewer COVID-19 vaccines because spending delays would discourage suppliers. The plan had already authorized the state to spend $110 million on distribution of vaccines, up from the $90 million Whitmer proposed in January. In other words, Michigan is receiving more vaccines, despite delays by Republicans in getting federal funding, according to Bridge Michigan.

The report conceded that Whitmer’s policies of shutting down businesses during the pandemic -- which has killed 15,600 Michigan residents since last March -- likely saved lives and slowed the virus spread, according to some researchers. However, the economy, although down by about 35% over 2019, has not been devastated, as earlier predictions warned.

This puts an end to the accusation that money is being withheld from Michigan because Whitmer destroyed the economy. Bridge Michigan also said the idea that Republicans are holding federal funding for schools “hostage” is a falsehood.

The spending plan sent to the governor to sign will give Michigan schools $1.8 billion to resume in-person instruction and enhance summer school and remediation programs to help students recover from any learning losses due to remote learning. The GOP stipulation is that half the money, $841 million, will be dependent on Whitmer signing a separate Michigan House of Representatives bill that would prohibit the state from closing schools or sporting events because of virus outbreaks.

Only local officials could do so, the plan stipulates, and only if outbreak thresholds are met.

Bridge Michigan also said a claim by Democrats that the state could lose federal funding if the money isn’t spent immediately is not true because the nearly $5 billion package is not “time-sensitive.”