The allocation uses money from the federal American Rescue Plan Actand other grants to fund a broad set of COVID-related priorities, including school safety grants.
Republican state Senator Wayne Schmidt sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee. He says the funding should help schools be prepared for in-person learning.
“I have yet to see a school district that doesn’t have enough money for COVID problems. I mean, you know? They always want more. I get that.”
The supplement also includes spending on areas like healthcare worker retention and epidemiology. It passed both chambers of the Legislature with widespread support. But lawmakers still need to iron out some differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.
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— Colin Jackson is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
