Citing the continuing economic crisis for businesses and residents alike across the Midwest, a trio of Midwest governors has dispatched an urgent letter to Washington D.C. asking the federal government to pass a bipartisan relief bill for much-needed support in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin, and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota sent the letter to President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy urging them to pass a bipartisan relief bill now.
The governors write, “The coronavirus is more than a public health emergency, it is also a continuing economic crisis for the residents and businesses in our states,” adding, “The coronavirus knows no state lines and prioritizing the health of our workers and residents is critical. Yet, as we continue our efforts to contain the virus and mitigate its economic fallout, we confront both declining state budget revenue and the looming cutoff of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars that have been critical to our states’ pandemic response plans and economic relief programs. We implore you to put differences aside and agree to another, much-needed COVID-19 relief bill.”
The governors also stressed the importance of ensuring funding for testing, Personal Protection Equipment or PPE, and contact tracing.
The letter goes on to say, “We would be remiss if we did not specifically point to the need for additional investment in testing, personal protective equipment, and contact tracing. Federal resources have been critical to our states’ efforts to provide widespread access to COVID-19 tests, promptly trace contacts with positive individuals, provide personal protective equipment, and support our health care partners. Without continued federal investment, these programs face imminent end-of-year reductions or even closures. We urge you to take immediate action on additional stimulus for our residents, industries, and state and local governments. Investment in these efforts will not only allow us to dampen the economic fallout of this crisis in our states and slow a potential recession in the coming years, but ultimately, will also allow our residents to return to the new normal once this crisis has passed.”
To view the letter, click this link: Govs.Whitmer.Walz_.Evers-Letter-on-COVID-Package-10.15.20
