December 29, 2020 By Jessica Mathews/News@whmi.com
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bi-partisan relief bill to provide support for families, frontline workers, and small businesses.
The relief bill includes $55 million to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grants of up to $20,000 will be made available to small businesses across the state that need support this winter. The relief bill also includes $3.5 million for grants of up to $40,000 each for live music and entertainment venues, and includes $45 million in direct payments to workers who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the virus. The governor also signed the bi-partisan Senate Bill 604 extending unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks until the end of March.
Republican legislative leaders say Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made a colossal error when she stripped millions of dollars in unemployment funding from a COVID-19 relief bill before signing it into law Tuesday.
The governor said the money she removed from the bill would have amounted to a tax break for big businesses related to unemployment benefits and won t affect the availability of jobless benefits. The measure still includes more than $60 million for business grants and $45 million for direct payments to workers.
But Republicans say she effectively nullified a portion of a separate bill that extended unemployment benefits and eligibility through March.
Whitmer partially approves COVID-19 relief, vetoes $220 million replenishment of Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund
Updated Dec 29, 2020;
Posted Dec 29, 2020
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hosts a news conference on Nov. 19 to give an update on Michigan s COVID-19 situation.
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LANSING, MI - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer partially signed the COVID-19 relief plan presented to her by the Michigan legislature, approving $106 million for small business grants and direct payments to individuals.
Funding is now approved for $55 million in grants to small businesses affected by COVID-19, including $3.5 million just for entertainment venues, and $45 million in state aid to laid-off or furloughed workers.
In her Tuesday, Dec. 29 press conference, Whitmer credited the bipartisan-approved bill with providing relief to “families, frontline workers, and small businesses.”
Republicans say Whitmer veto puts extension of jobless benefits at risk Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press
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Republican legislative leaders say Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made a colossal error when she stripped millions of dollars in unemployment funding from a COVID-19 relief bill before signing it into law Tuesday.
The governor said the money she removed from the bill would have amounted to a tax break for big businesses related to unemployment benefits and won t affect the availability of jobless benefits. The measure still includes more than $60 million for business grants and $45 million for direct payments to workers.
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