Gretchen Whitmer
LANSING, Mich. (AP) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday unveiled a $5.6 billion plan to combat and recover from the coronavirus pandemic, proposing the use of billions in federal relief and $575 million in surplus state funds.
The request will go to Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature on Wednesday, less than a month after Congress and President Trump enacted additional COVID-19 aid that will flow through states and fund priorities such as vaccine distribution, testing, tracing, higher food assistance benefits and new rental assistance.
A major facet of the Democratic governor’s proposal would allocate $300 million in state dollars nearly $2 billion when federal funding is counted to help K-12 schools offer the option of in-person instruction by March 1 and to address pandemic-related learning loss. Districts with higher numbers of disadvantaged students or those with disabilities would receive more money.
Wage theft exposed at Fiat Chrysler/Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex
Autoworkers have experienced wage theft and dangerous working conditions at Stellantis’ new Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack, according to sources who spoke with the
World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter. Stellantis is the new global auto company formed by the merger earlier this month between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot (PSA).
The plant, which opened late last year on the grounds of the former Chrysler Mack Avenue Engine Complex, is the city of Detroit’s first new assembly plant in three decades. This plant and adjacent Jefferson North Assembly Plant will produce the new Jeep Grand Cherokee luxury SUV, which debuts this spring.
Associated Press/Report for America
LANSING, Mich. (AP) Relief is coming to Michigan businesses after a board last week approved $58.5 million in grants for economic losses due to the coronavirus pandemic that has strained the state’s economy.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last month signed into law a spending plan to help repair the economic impact from the coronavirus. It included an allocation to the Michigan Strategic Fund under the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to distribute grants to eligible businesses.
The board approved two programs to distribute funds during a meeting on Thursday: the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program to help businesses that had to close or partially close during the pandemic; and the Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program to help businesses pay workers who were laid off.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday unveiled a $5.6 billion plan to combat and recover from the coronavirus pandemic, proposing the use of billions in federal relief and $575.