Michigan Gov. Whitmer Signs $106M Coronavirus Relief Bill

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed the bipartisan relief bill that the Michigan legislature passed last week, but she vetoed a line item that would provide additional unemployment funds.

The relief bill includes $55 million to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bill will provide grants of up to $20,000, which will be made available to small businesses across the state. 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.

“I proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief," Whitmer said. "This bipartisan bill will provide families and businesses the support they need to stay afloat as we continue working to distribute the safe and effective vaccine and eliminate COVID-19 once and for all.

“There is still more work to do to eliminate this virus and grow our economy. All Michiganders have a personal responsibility to do their part and mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. We will beat this virus together.”

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While she signed the bill, Whitmer said she line-item vetoed a $220 million line item for an employer-funded unemployment trust fund. The pool of funds is designed to help businesses fund benefits for laid-off workers, Whitmer said.

The governor said the move wouldn't impact people who are receiving their benefits, and noted that she also signed bipartisan Senate Bill 604, which extends unemployment benefits for Michiganders who have lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic from 20 to 26 weeks until the end of March 2021.

"The funding that I vetoed has nothing to do with extending benefits," she said.

Whitmer said the bill is an important step in providing relief to families during the pandemic.

“No Michigander should have to worry about how to put food on the table or pay their bills, especially during a global pandemic,” Whitmer added. “These bipartisan bills are an important step in providing immediate relief for working families, but there is more work to do. I urge the legislature to take further action to make this permanent. 40 states, including all of our neighbors, automatically provide at least 26 weeks of unemployment relief. Michiganders deserve better than a short-term extension that expires in March. It’s time to work together on a bipartisan, long-term solution for working families.”

Whitmer's delay in signing the bill had begun to draw the criticism of many state Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey was among them. He took to social media to say that her delay was causing additional issues for Michigan businesses.

"Every day that goes by, 20 restaurants close their doors for good and more Michiganders out of work due to her orders suffer," he said. "This bill should have been signed the moment she received it."

Michigan reported 3,239 new coronavirus cases and 60 more deaths attributed to the virus on Monday.

On Monday, the state announced that it was beginning its COVID-19 vaccination process for nursing homes, saying that nursing home staff and residents across the state will begin being vaccinated this week.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with CVS and Walgreens through the program to manage and facilitate vaccinations, while reducing the burden on long-term care facilities and local health departments, according to a news release.