(WWJ) As Michigan prepares for the next phase in the battle against COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer says we cannot do it alone.
She sent a letter this week to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to request it waive cost-sharing requirements in Michigan in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Public Assistance Program allows 75% federal funding for emergency work—including direct federal assistance. State, tribal and local entities must pay the remaining 25%.
Governor Whitmer asked FEMA to pay 100%.
In the two page letter to FEMA Administrator, Peter Gaynor, she wrote: "FEMA is authorized to increase the federal cost-share to 100% for emergency work, including Direct Federal Assistance, 'if warranted by the needs of a disaster. I believe that the extreme nature of the necessary COVID-19 response far exceeds the capability of the State of Michigan and warrants the full resources and support of the federal government."
She added the state spent more than $234 million with the State Emergency Operations Center to "prevent, contain and mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic." Early estimates predict the state will have a three to four billion dollar revenue deficit over the next two years because of the outbreak.
When Governor Whitmer requested a Major Disaster Declaration on March 26th, she said she asked President Trump to waive the cost-sharing. The President approved the Disaster Declaration, but not the cost-sharing waiver.
Michigan has the fourth highest number of COVID-19 cases in the nation, and the third highest number of deaths. This, despite the fact it ranks eighth in population size.
Governor Whitmer closed the letter: "This pandemic has come at an enormous human, financial, and social cost, one that Michigan alone cannot sustain without further federal assistance."
FEMA has yet to respond.
