State Lawmakers Pass $465 Million COVID Relief Bill

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milegislature-3

The Michigan House has passed a COVID-19 relief bill. The House has approved a budget agreement that would extend unemployment benefits to thousands of laid off Michigan workers until the end of March. The bill includes: $64 million in small business survival relief, $220 million to extend unemployment benefits, $45 million in direct payments to workers who have been impacted by the virus, $75 million for hospitals and healthcare workers, $22 million for increased testing, and $57 million for vaccine distribution.

State Representative Tommy Brann of Wyoming is a restaurant owner who voted to approve the measure, but says restaurants need more help.

“The struggling restaurants will get $20,000 to $50,000, but that will not save our restaurant industry,” he says. “I know my fellow restaurant owners. They work Mother’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, hardly any vacations, and do not leave normal lives. They pay their employees before themselves.”

The state Senate approved the plan Friday night. It now goes to the governor, who is expected to sign it.