FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 1, 2021
Contact: Dan Opsommer, 517-281-6034, dopsommer@house.mi.gov
Rep. Brixie supports up or down vote on MI House Democrats’ pandemic recovery plan
Rep. Brixie urges vote on $5 billion in federal stimulus dollars
LANSING, Mich. — Rep. Julie Brixie, D-Meridian Township, today joined Michigan House Democrats in supporting a pandemic recovery plan that would immediately unleash $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brixie and Michigan House Democrats called on legislative Republicans to stop holding hostage the funding critical to Michigan’s recovery from the pandemic.
“It’s time to come together and fight COVID-19,” Brixie said. “Holding these funds up jeopardizes our health, economy and will create more hardship. Let’s get these funds out so we can continue ramping up our vaccine production, testing capacity and help the families and businesses who need it most. With the vaccine in place we control how quickly we get beyond this. Let’s not become our own worst enemy by slowing down the production and distribution.”
Specifics of the supplemental appropriations bill include:
- $90 million for vaccine distribution throughout Michigan so we can get more shots into people’s arms.
- $575 million to expand COVID testing, tracing, and lab capacity.
- $2.1 billion in food assistance.
- $661 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.
“Our schools need this funding to implement their plans to safely reopen,” Brixie said. “House Republicans holding the funds hostage in the name of reopening is ridiculous. They’re literally standing in their own way. Families are struggling to juggle their jobs and kid’s virtual learning at home every day. Let’s get this funding to our schools and help our children and families.”
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