Partisan agendas are costing the people of Michigan

 

LANSING, Mich., April 28, 2021 – House Republicans continued playing political games with federal COVID relief funding in Appropriations Committee this morning, proposing tie-barring much of the funds to limiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s authority and other partisan agenda items.

“While Michigan Republicans continue to play political games with much-needed COVID-19 recovery funds, it’s the people of Michigan who are paying the price.” said House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp.).  “Once again, given the chance to put up a clean vote to release the billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief money that’s been held up unnecessarily in Washington, D.C. for over four months, Republicans chose to play yet another political game.”

“If Republicans would put their politically motivated agenda aside and truly work with those of us on the other side of the aisle, we could reach a solution that will help all the people of Michigan,” said Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit), who is minority chairman of the Appropriations committee. “They need to propose a budget that will bring home the billions of dollars sitting in Washington, D.C.  You can’t solve the problems we’re facing here in Michigan, if one side keeps changing the rules. After all, we’re not here to serve partisan politics.  We’re here to serve the people of this great state.”

“Our children have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.  They have lost invaluable hours of learning and making up for it poses many challenges.  Republicans don’t seem to grasp the severity of the situation our schools face,” says Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), who serves as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education.  “As part of their strategy to thwart progress in releasing the much needed COVID-19 relief funding, Republicans would require students to attend school in person regardless of preparedness or safety concerns. Otherwise, they will continue to hold on to relief assistance. The billions of dollars being held up by Republicans are critical to the education of our children.”

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