The Chamber’s Analysis of a Pivotal Week in the Fight Against COVID-19
March 17, 2021Governor Signs COVID-19 Supplemental Relief
Gov. Whitmer signed two COVID-19 relief supplemental bills into law, but also line-item vetoed about $650 million from those two bills and put in question an additional $841 million for schools that are part of her veto of another bill that would have transferred the power to close schools to in-person learning from state to local authorities. She cited problems with the bills and lack of negotiations with the Legislature as reasons.
Mayor Duggan Gives State of the City
Mayor Mike Duggan gave his eighth State of the City address virtually on Tuesday, March 9, from the floor of the Stellantis NV (Formerly FCA) factory on East Jefferson. The Mayor covered a wide range of topics including, vaccination efforts around the city, a post-COVID-19 recovery for Detroit led by new jobs, improving education outcomes, and a continued focus on the city’s neighborhoods.
$1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan Becomes Law
President Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic-aid package, the American Rescue Plan, was signed into law on Thursday, March 11. The plan has many provisions that focus aid to state and local governments, small businesses, unemployed Americans, and sends stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans. The bill is the second-largest government relief program in American history, surpassed only by last year’s $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
What does this bill mean for Michigan?
All Michigan Adults Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine April 5
On April 5 all Michigan residents age 16 and up will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Whitmer and state health department officials announced a day after President Biden urged all states to open vaccination to adults by May 1. On March 22, anyone 16 and older with a qualifying medical condition will be eligible. The governor announced that Ford Field would be used as a federally selected regional mass vaccination site starting on March 24. The hope is to administer an additional 6,000 doses a day for eight weeks.
Details on Vaccine Announcement
The Chamber will continue to provide insights on the most significant economic and vaccine stories and keep our members updated on the latest governmental actions.
