Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, sent a letter to the Trump administration asking for additional resources for states and localities to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Without this leadership, the damage to our state economies will be exacerbated by the cuts we know we will be forced to make,” the governors said. “We ask you to heed this weekend’s call from the leadership of the National Governors Association, Chair Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Vice Chair New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and support $500 billion in state stabilization funds that will allow for the replacement of lost revenues and with the maximum flexibility possible so the funding can be used beyond those costs directly tied to COVID-19 related expenses.”
The state of Michigan reported 1,921 total deaths and 28,059 confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday. And on Monday, Whitmer and MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun announced that data shows the virus curve is starting to flatten and that all of what they described as the "incredible" measures that have been taken are working, there is still much more work to do.
"We will get past this," Whitmer said. "We will get through this. This is not a permanent moment."
And although the curve of illnesses have started to flatten, the state is still dealing with the economic impact of the pandemic.
Initial estimates suggest that state revenues in Michigan could be reduced by $3 billion alone this year -- $7 billion over the next 18 months -- due to the measures taken to halt the spread of COVID-19, a release states.
“As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the health of our people and our economies are dependent on your actions in the coming days and weeks,” the governors continued in the letter. “We implore you to act decisively and expeditiously during this unprecedented time for our Nation.”
Read the complete letter here .