Eastern Wayne Today

The Michigan Legislature unanimously approved an additional $125 million recently for the new coronavirus response, according to WSBT22. State Rep. Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell) lauded how quickly the action moved through the House.

The additional funding will bring the total to $150 million, according to a press release from Michigan House Republicans.

One-third of the total is intended for immediate needs, including monitoring and testing for COVID-19, while another third is intended to help health care providers increase their capacity for handling patients who test positive. The final $50 million is earmarked as a reserve for future needs.

The House Republicans said the approval of state funding also helps with the use of federal COVID-19 response funds.

“To address evolving challenges with coronavirus, the Legislature has taken swift, proactive action to approve $125 million in additional emergency funding to help with mitigation efforts and combat this pandemic,” Wentworth told Michigan House Republicans. “Despite this difficult time, it has been so encouraging to see community members and local organizations willingly step up to the challenge and assist their neighbors.”

The additional funding agreement came about in cooperation with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office. However, no action was taken to address missed school days or the plight of school staff who aren’t currently receiving pay.

State Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing), said the situation concerning schools still needs to be addressed. "I have full faith that at the end of the day, schools will be made whole and that schools should continue during this period to pay their hourly workers. I am sorry that it could not be done today," Hertel told WSBT22.

Still, legislators from both parties were pleased that they came to an agreement on funding. “In the spirit of working together and helping those in need around us, I have no doubt our state will get through this and come back stronger than before,” Wentworth said.