Rep. Alexander votes to protect Jackson County families against COVID-19, economic repercussions

State Rep. Julie Alexander, of Hanover, today voted in favor of funding to help Michiganders whose livelihoods have been disrupted by devastating economic shutdowns in the coronavirus-era.

Alexander helped lead efforts as the House approved a $465 million overall plan that temporarily extends unemployment benefits while supporting the restaurant industry, small businesses and the families who depend on them.

“My heart goes out to small business owners and their employees right now,” Alexander said. “They desperately need more assistance to get through this pandemic. While tens of thousands of Michigan businesses have applied for aid through existing programs, there are not enough resources to help. That’s why my colleagues and I are committing more resources – our families deserve all the help they can get.” 

Alexander said it’s unacceptable that our state’s restaurant industry and its thousands of employees who depend on it for their livelihoods have been decimated by the governor’s shutdown orders. According to the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, 2,000 dining establishments have permanently closed because of the pandemic and thousands more could close within six months if they don’t get additional relief. Other small businesses, the heartbeat of our community economies, also are struggling to stay afloat.

“So many concerned parents, business owners, and other members of the community have reached out to my office during these trying times to tell me they’re concerned how they are going to pay their bills or put food on their table for their families because of the many shutdown orders,” Alexander said. “That’s unacceptable. So many of our families are hurting financially through no fault of their own –their entire livelihoods have been jeopardized. The best solution would be working to get our businesses back up and running. In the meantime, while this measure will not resolve everything, it is a step in the right direction and one that I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting.”

In addition, the measure approved today will help provide funding for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Michigan for those who choose to get one.

“I’m pleased this budget will provide more than $22 million to support our state’s ongoing virus testing efforts with a special focus on nursing homes and adult foster care centers,” Alexander said. “Our loved ones in long-care housing facilities tend to be at higher risk of coronavirus, so it makes sense they are given support.”

Additional funds will also be committed to test for the virus and provide COVID-related supplies at veterans’ homes and for our Michigan National Guard, Alexander added.

Highlights of the measure include:

• Unemployment benefits and additional help. The measure includes $220 million to temporarily extend unemployment benefits for those who have been forced out of work by the governor’s most recent shutdown orders. The measure extends benefits by six weeks through March, meaning laid-off workers are temporarily eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits. Employers are held harmless for the change.
• Restaurant and small business relief. The measure adds to grant programs for small businesses whose operations have been shut down or restricted by the governor’s latest orders. Alexander said the small business survival program – supported by $55 million in this measure alone – could provide a lifeline for many job providers and families on the brink of economic collapse.
• Vaccine distribution and support for health care workers. The measure includes more than $50 million to support vaccine distribution efforts, and $22.5 million to boost virus testing efforts – with a special focus on nursing homes. Another $42 million will support temporary staffing needs and wage increases for direct care workers who are the front lines of the COVID-19 fight.

This measure builds on the Legislature’s commitment to fight COVID-19 and its repercussions – which includes approving more than $3 billion earlier this year from state budgets, plus allocation of federal unemployment funding to surpass $6 billion overall.

Senate Bill 748 is expected to soon be headed to Gov. Whitmer for her consideration.