(WWJ) Michigan Gov. Gretchen is asking state lawmakers for a considerable infusion of cash to help families and support the state's economy.
Amid a powerful second surge of the coronavirus in the state, Whitmer said she needs the Michigan Legislature work with her on key priorities during the few remaining session days of 2020.
The first: Passing a $100 million Michigan COVID relief plan.
She said, at a news conference Tuesday: "Week after week...the nation's governors on both sides of the aisle have been urging Congress and the White House to pass a bipartisan, and sign a bipartisan relief plan so that we can provide for our families, protect our frontline workers, help our restaurants, support our educators and give small business a hand during this tough time. But leaders at the federal level still have not been able to agree on a plan."
Because of that, Whitmer said, it's crucial that Michigan take action at the state level to pass "a targeted, state-based economic stimulus plan of up to $100 million that will provide direct financial support to the families and small businesses that have been hit the hardest by this pandemic."
Whitmer noted that Michigan is facing a hefty budget shortfall next year. So while there will be difficult decisions to make, she said lawmakers must prioritize Michigan families, frontline workers and small businesses.
"It will take leaders from both sides of the aisle working together in a bi-partisan way to get it done," the governor added.
Whitmer stressed that, meanwhile, everyone must do their part to help stop the continued spread of the coronavirus in Michigan.
"We all know the next two months are going to be hard," Whitmer said. "Too many people traveled for Thanksgiving, and we will see our numbers increase very likely because of it. And that will coincide with the next big holiday -- Christmas.
"Too many people are considering traveling and I'm reiterating: Please don't."
Whitmer says Michigan's case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths are "dangerously high already."
"And even with our targeted and temporary actions to slow the spread, we expect to see numbers increase over the coming weeks and months as more people travel for the holidays," she said.
Whitmer's comments come amid a "three-week pause" in Michigan -- with restaurants closed for indoor services; casinos, theaters, skating rinks and more shut down; and high schools and colleges restricted to online-only instruction.
Asked if those orders will be lifted as scheduled on December 8, Whitmer said that will depend on the results. She said we should know more early next week.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported 160 new COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, and 30 more identified during records reviews. That's the highest combined total since April.
The same day, MDHHS reported 5,793 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. [More stats from the state HERE].
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