Michigan lawmakers pass COVID-19 spending bills; state budget chief concerned
David Eggert
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LANSING — Michigan legislators on Thursday approved mid-year spending bills, including billions of federal coronavirus relief to boost pay for front-line government workers, incentivize unemployed people to return to work and upgrade infrastructure.
Under a $3.3 billion plan sent to the Senate by the Republican-led House on a 65-42 vote, some of the U.S. funding would go toward payroll costs and free up state dollars to pay the state's million Flint water crisis settlement — instead of borrowing — and partially replenish an unemployment benefits fund targeted by fraudsters. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration questioned some elements, saying federal guidance clearly states that COVID-19 funds cannot be used to pay down debt, bolster reserves and finance legal settlements.