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Democrats: Legislature should not break without votes on COVID funding

Michigan Municipal League Photos from 96th Michigan Legislature Swearing in Day at Capitol in Lansing by Michigan Municipal League (MML) is licensed with CC BY-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

State House Democrats are calling for Republican leaders to allow votes this week on spending more COVID-19 funds before the Legislature starts its spring break.

The call by House Democrats matches up with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s demand that GOP leaders adopt a new COVID-19 budget bill that includes new federal funding.

House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski said the Legislature should not begin a spring break next week without appropriating that money.

“We have a way to bring home evert penny of these stimulus dollars to Michigan today. A simple up-or-down vote.”

Lasinski said that’s especially important as current COVID plans will give less money to schools that don’t offer at least 20 hours a week of in-person classes. 

GOP leaders want to hold back, though, as a check on the governor’s use of emergency powers.