Johnson calls for vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars
DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 1, 2021 — Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit) joined Michigan House Democrats today in supporting a pandemic recovery plan that would immediately release $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson and Michigan House Democrats called on legislative Republicans to stop holding hostage the funding critical to Michigan’s recovery from the pandemic.
“Republican legislators need to be held accountable for playing games with COVID relief funds instead of using that money to help ease the suffering of people in our community,” said Johnson. “The goal of this bill is simple and straightforward: Get Michigan’s federal stimulus dollars into the hands of Michiganders. No partisan politics or political games.”
Specifics of the supplemental appropriations bill include:
- $90 million for vaccine distribution throughout Michigan.
- $575 million to expand COVID testing, tracing, and lab capacity.
- $2.1 billion in food assistance.
- $660 million to help with rental assistance and winter utility bills.
- $2 billion for Michigan schools.
- $270 million for small business relief.
- Language that would extend unemployment assistance from 20 to 26 weeks.
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