According to The Center Square, three groups that represent the Michigan local governments urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other state officials to allow them access to some of the $3.8 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act granted to the state from the federal government.
The aid was given to Michigan for small business relief due to the economic disaster caused by COVID-19.
The three groups -- The Michigan Municipal League (MML), the Michigan Association of Counties and the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) -- requested that $1.1 billion from the federal aid be made accessible for local governments of cities with populations under 500,000.
Chris Hackbarth, who is the MML director of state and federal affairs, says the state must grant this money to the groups. Hackbarth also added that the groups are offering a heightened level of service to the local governments.
“It’s important that the state share this money with the remainder of our local units because every city and village in Michigan is providing an even more heightened level of service right now for their residents,” Hackbarth told The Center Square. He adding that the building of Michigan’s local government funding has limited sources of revenue.
Hackbarth says without the aid, there will be an inevitable reduction in services. These services potentially include police, fire, other emergency services and public health.
“That will have a direct impact on that state aid for local governments in Michigan,” Hackbarth said, according to The Center Square. “Without that money, you’re going to see reductions in services, reductions in police and fire, emergency services and reductions in public health services that are available.”
In a statement, Neil Sheridan, who is the MTA executive director, confirmed that local governments are in need of additional funding to continue functioning.
“We are deeply appreciative of the CARES Act federal funding for our state as Michigan weathers unforeseeable impacts due to this crisis,” Sheridan told The Center Square.
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