LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield released the following statement after reaching a bipartisan budget agreement, which includes adjustments to the fiscal year 2020 budget and allocation of Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars:
“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our state budget," they said in the statement. "In this time of crisis, it is our responsibility to come together and build a budget that reflects a bipartisan commitment to the things we value most as Michiganders. This agreement provides crucial funding for Michigan families, schools, and communities grappling with costs incurred as a result of the virus."
The Coronavirus Relief Fund totals just over $3 billion, with:
- $512 million going to schools,
- $53 million going to hazard pay for teachers
- $200 million going to universitites and community colleges
- $150 million going to local governments for public health and safety costs and first responder hazard pay
You can read the full budget agreementhere.
The budget agreement includes reductions in current year funding, but also provides CARES Act funding for Michigan schools and educators, universities and community colleges, and local governments to address the significant COVID 19 costs they’re facing.
"Our collective priority is a healthy state and a healthy economy," they said in the statement. "We are committed to working together to address the remaining shortfalls in next year’s budget and we are looking to our partners in Congress for support to help maintain the essential services relied upon by our families and small businesses.”
