CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND UPDATE:
This week, both the House and Senate passed an amended version of SB 690, a supplemental budget bill which pulls down $850 million from the state’s federal CARES Act funding to provide relief for areas impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk, where her signature is expected.
What’s in SB 690:
Aid to Families
- $29 million for increased UIA staffing and technology support to process claims quicker and more efficiently.
- $60 million in rental assistance and eviction diversion to help ensure that those in jeopardy of eviction can remain in their place of residences
- $25 million for water utility assistance
- $14 million for food banks and domestic violence shelters to help ensure our most vulnerable populations are supported
- $125 million in daycare subsidies to reduce childcare costs for families
Supporting Economic Recovery:
- $100 million in small business restart grants to help small business owners and nonprofit organizations across Michigan get back on their feet, prioritizing minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses
- $2.5 million in grants for hospitality businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19
- $15 million to support Michigan farms and farmers, as well as improving housing accommodation to keep workers safe.
Supporting Workers:
- $10 million in MIOSHA grants for protections to keep workers safe on the job
- $120 million for direct care workers, providing an additional $2 an hour from now through September to ensure direct care workers receive additional pay for staying on the front lines to care for our most vulnerable residents.
- $100 million for hazard pay for local first responders who are on the front lines battling COVID-19, and another $200 million for local communities across the state.
Education:
- $18 million for school health and safety grants to support instructional recovery programming, benchmark assessments, and health and safety expenditures necessary to provide safe instruction.
- $25 million for devices, wireless hotspots, and internet connectivity for school children and their families.
While there is more work to be done, this much-needed relief will give families, schools, students, businesses and employees getting back to work additional support as we move forward in the wake of this unprecedented public health and economic crisis.