Senate District 13 Update

Mar 6, 2021 | Email

Mallory McMorrow

March 5, 2021

COVID-19 SUPPLEMENTAL

This week, the Michigan Legislature passed a $4.2 billion supplemental bill package including both state and federal funding. Here’s the breakdown of those two bills:

House Bill 4047 included $1.4 billion to state departments to aid in COVID-19 relief.

MDHHS:

  • $90.2 million for COVID-9 vaccine distribution
  • $20 million for contact tracing
  • $150 million for direct care workers’ hazard pay
  • $8 million for mental health services

LEO:

  • $150 million for UIA
  • $220.3 million for emergency rental assistance

Treasury:

  • $300 million to cover waived penalties and interest for certain businesses who under __ Executive Order, did not have to pay 2020 taxes
  • $22 million for foodservice establishment license relief
  • $55 million for unemployment insurance tax relief  
Yesterday the legislature passed a COVID Relief Plan that does the following:

The second bill in the package, House Bill 4048 releases some of the funds Congress passed and sent to Michigan back in December. This $1.9 billion dollar school supplemental aid includes:

  • $136 million for per-pupil funding
  • $90 million for K-8 summer school programs
  • $86.8 million for non-public schools
  • $650 million for Title 1 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER)
  • $20 million for school mental health services  
HB 4048

Both of these bills have passed both the Michigan House and Senate, and are on their way to the Governor for review.

We have concerns with several aspects of the bills that move to strip the Governor and MDHHS of their authority to make decisions regarding public health and mitigation efforts during this pandemic. Additionally, provisions in the bill that provides funding to our school districts create unnecessary challenges for schools, teachers, and administrators as they work toward safely returning to in-person learning. But while this legislation is not perfect, our schools, businesses and local health departments need help now. This is a necessary step to get critical funds to our communities and families as vaccine distribution continues to expand.

As these bills continue to move through the legislative process, it is likely there could be additional changes made, including the attached in-person learning requirements for school districts. We will work to update our constituents on those changes.  

Mallory McMorrow

Mallory McMorrow
State Senator
13th District