LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24, 2021 – State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), a former Kalamazoo County Commissioner, introduced House Concurrent Resolution 4 today calling on the federal government to increase direct aid to state and local governments.
“While some federal aid has already been provided to states and local governments, additional funding is needed to weather the ongoing effects of the pandemic,” Rogers said. “President Biden and the U.S. Congress have been diligently working to enact a relief package that includes additional emergency aid for state and local governments, including direct, and flexible aid – but we cannot delay. If we want to avoid deep budget cuts, protect essential public services and avoid adverse effects on the economy’s recovery, it is crucial that congress acts now to provide direct aid to state and local governments. I know firsthand how much these dollars are needed for our counties and municipalities.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted state revenue. At the January 2021 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, it was estimated that the net General Fund revenue declined by more than $345 million during the 2019-20 Fiscal Year. This decline has and will continue to impact local governments across Michigan.
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