Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday slammed House Republicans after lawmakers threatened to withhold billions in school funding over arguments over her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a news conference, Whitmer said the GOP’s actions were ‘cruel and reckless’, noting that lives are still hanging in the balance.
The numbers in the state have dropped recently and officials on Tuesday reported the least new cases in more than three months.
DEM GOVS WHITMER, MURPHY FLOUT OWN CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS FOR COMMANDED HIRE
The state health department on Thursday 1872 reported new cases and 80 deaths. There have been nearly 14,500 deaths since March.
“The executive must be agile and fast when lives are at stake,” she said.
In addition, Whitmer also criticized her handling of personal education and sports.
She said measures are important in the state’s response to the spread of the virus, but specific figures are ‘problematic’ and the context is also important.
Whitmer noted that although other states had set standards in the past, “every state that did so had to change it along the way.”
“That’s why we were reluctant,” she said.
From Monday 1 February, restaurants can resume indoor dining with 25% capacity with a curfew. The order is valid until Sunday 21 February.
Whitmer’s remarks come on the heels of her third state of the nation address, prompting a mixed response to unity.
“It’s easy to look back on this last year and focus on the bad. But we can not forget the action to protect ourselves and our families,” she said. “To those who acted and did your part, who listened to medical experts, stayed at home, wore a mask, helped a neighbor and did social distance – your actions saved lives. Your actions ensured that more Michiganders would be able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas 2021 with their loved ones. ‘
Talk directly to the legislative leaders of the state in her speech, Whitmer said the task now is to ‘fix the damn way forward – together.’
“Let’s commit to the strong dual action we took last year, and focus the same energy on ending the pandemic, growing our economy and getting our children back on track,” she insisted. “The people of Michigan are counting on us.”
While Democrats like State Representative Darrin Camilleri thanked Whitmer for her leadership and guidance during the crisis, Republicans were not so convinced.
Just hours before the speech, Senate Republicans rejected 13 of her appointments to various boards and committees, and House Republicans said they would hold a significant portion of a billion-dollar aid package unless Whitmer agrees. to a law that would strip her and the Michigan Department of Health of Emergency Health competencies.
Whitmer last week proposed a $ 5.6 billion recovery plan, and Republicans opposed $ 3.5 billion. Although both plans call for the reopening of schools, Whitmer supports a March 1 deadline and hopes Republicans of the House will offer public schools $ 250 per student if they commit to a February 15 reopening.
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, wears a mask with the word “voice” displayed on the front during a roundtable discussion on health care, Wednesday, October 7, 2020, in Kalamazoo, Mich. (Nicole Hester / Ann Arbor News via AP) /
((Nicole Hester / Ann Arbor News via AP) /)
In a statement released before Whitmer’s speech, Jason Wentworth and Senate Leader Mike Shirkey said Michigan was back in business. ”
“The people we represent do not agree with the continued closure of the government. The people of Michigan want and deserve answers,” they said.
Sen. Jon Bumstead, Representative Greg VanWoerkom, and Senator Rick Outman all told FOX 17 that Whitmer’s actions would speak louder than her calls for cooperation – even though VanWoerkom asked for a partner in the governor’s office to get things done. Michigan to get done. families. ‘
“Some school districts in Michigan have not had personal classes since March – it hurts children in ways we can not even imagine, and not just academically,” Michigan House chairman Thomas Albert said in a statement on Wednesday. . “The disruption of sports and other extracurricular activities also takes a huge toll.”
He also noted that Whitmer’s budget request was ‘by a wide margin from the point’.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich fired back that if Republicans really want to help, they can offer solutions instead of raising issues.
“It is not our job to play small games just for the sake of the governor, especially not while she’s trying to get us through the tail end of a deadly pandemic with little or no help from you,” he said.
Whitmer said Thursday that her government has invited Republicans to the meetings for data modeling, but that they often do not show up.
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Whitmer reportedly sought a common case with the legislature and told reporters she did not respond Wednesday to Republicans’ actions because she wanted to acknowledge the sacrifices of Michiganders and the residents lost to the pandemic.
“I’m not going to sink into having this argument that apparently some members of the Legislature want,” she said.
Fox News reached out to Whitmer’s office for comment, but received no response.