Whitmer was expected to use her veto authority after Republicans in the House and Senate negotiated a plan without involving her office.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved measures allocating hundreds of millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds on Tuesday, but used vetoes to nix other provisions — including a bill to take away state pandemic powers — that ultimately represent more than $1 billion in federal dollars. Whitmer called the bill to remove power from the state health department director « a reckless idea, poorly executed and poorly timed. » But because of legislative maneuvering by the GOP-controlled House and Senate, the veto at least temporarily imperils more than $840 million in education funding. The moves come after substantial public fighting between the governor and Republican legislators over how best to provide billions in available federal funds that advocates say families and businesses desperately need. More: Michigan GOP goes after state pandemic powers again with $4.2 billion COVID-19 relief plan More: Whitmer: Any COVID-19 relief deal withholding federal funds is ‘shortchanging’ Michigan In a letter to lawmakers, Whitmer noted Republicans largely ignored her proposed $5.6 billion relief plan and never negotiated with her office on these funding measures. « I note that this legislation leaves more than $2 billion in federal money unappropriated. As Michigan goes all-out to finally beat back this awful pandemic and turn the page to recovery, we need every last dollar going to work for us before the Legislature takes its Spring Break, » Whitmer said in her letter to lawmakers. « I know we share a basic desire to help Michiganders, and provide meaningful financial support to struggling businesses. » The bill still includes hundreds of millions needed to provide a $2.25 per hour wage increase for frontline workers, approximately $223 million in rental assistance and more than $650 million to assist with vaccine distribution, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. The governor’s veto letter on the funding measures did not explain in detail why she used her line-item authority on either bill. Her vetoes target roughly $405 million in property and other tax relief for businesses, $150 million intended for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, nearly $87 million intended for non-public schools and $10 million designated for a grant program aimed at helping parents offset the cost of summer school. “Unfortunately, the legislature tried to prohibit expenditure of funds for vaccine distribution and the return to school unless the governor signs legislation stripping powers from the executive branch. Rather than these political games, we need to focus instead on how to best help businesses and individuals most impacted by the pandemic,” state Budget Director Dave Massaron said in a statement.
