Michigan Legislature passes $4.2B in virus aid without deal
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan's Legislature on Wednesday approved a $4.2 billion coronavirus relief plan without a deal with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, as majority Republicans pressed to curtail her administration's pandemic powers and Democrats opposed a decision to not allocate all federal aid immediately. Frustrated school officials have criticized GOP legislators for tying nearly half of the additional federal K-12 funding to a bill Whitmer will not sign. House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski, a Democrat from Washtenaw County's Scio Township, accused GOP lawmakers of โliterally knee-capping Michigan's recoveryโ by not disbursing all $5 billion in federal relief now. A $2 hourly wage hike for direct care workers, which expired Sunday, would rise to $2.25 and be extended through September.
Michigan Democrats call for federal COVID relief funds to be released immediately
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Democrats are pressuring state Republicans to vote to release more than $5 billion in COVID relief, chastising them for holding the funds. โRepublicans need to stop holding these federal stimulus dollars hostage. This is not a partisan issue, these dollars should be at work here in Michigan right now,โ said Michigan House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski. READ: Michigan Republicans unveil $2B COVID relief plan for residents struggling due to shutdownsRepublicans have held funding, hoping to get Gov. In a statement, a spokesperson for Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth said, โOur plan addresses all needs...
Michigan GOP rep. who attended rally ahead of deadly DC riots under scrutiny
DETROIT โ Members of Michiganโs House of Representatives want to remove a Republican colleague from office for attending the rally in Washington, D.C. that preceded the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building that left five dead. RELATED: โThey didnโt care if they hurt peopleโ -- Michigan lawmakers react to deadly DC riotsRep. Matt Maddock and his wife Meshawn are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump and have tried to overturn President-elect Joe Bidenโs victory in Michigan. Matt Maddock and Meshawn -- who is expected to become the next Republican Party Co-Chair -- spent much of Thursday in closed-door meetings. Matt Maddock was sworn into the Michigan House of Representatives Wednesday. โWhat we are seeing play out across our country right now is deeply concerning,โ Whitmer said.
Michiganโs first day of legislature gets off on a tense note
New House Speaker Jason Wentworth said during a news conference that he denounces violence but supports the peopleโs First Amendment right to peaceful protest. Wentworth said that although he doesnโt agree with Lasinski, he would continue to have conversations across the aisle. That Donald Trump is the only one who is sent from God to stop that and that the election was stolen from him,โ McMorrow said. Their Democratic counterparts introduced resolutions to condemn and recognize false claims of election fraud and those who signed the letter as contributors to violence. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Deadly siege on US Capitol Building reignites gun debate in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ The riots in Washington, D.C. Wednesday that left five people dead has reignited debates over whether guns should be allowed inside Michiganโs Capitol Building. READ: FBI, Michigan federal prosecutor seek tips in deadly siege on US Capitol BuildingWith the new legislative session starting in days, security of the Capitol will likely take center stage. Itโs impossible to come to work when you are under that constant threat,โ Lasinski said. Security experts are now viewing that event as a potential practice run for those who stormed the U.S. Capitol Building Wednesday. โThere should be no weapons of any kind in our Capitol,โ Lasinski said.
Womenโs March Ann Arbor takes to the Diag on Saturday
ANN ARBOR โ Members of the public are invited to take part in Womenโs March Ann Arbor as marches are scheduled across the country on Saturday. The event will begin at the University of Michigan Diag at noon where attendees will hear from speakers before marching to Ann Arbor City Hall to encourage community members to vote. โWe feel the work of the Womenโs March strongly aligns with our values,โ members Kristina Oberly, Alison Todak, Claire Small and Rachel Phillips said in a statement. โIt is so important that womenโs voices are heard, whether in politics or technology, and we wanted to ensure people in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area have the opportunity to come together (safely) in solidarity and hope for the future before the upcoming election.โMasks are required. The University of Michigan Diag is at 913 S. University Ave.