Letter to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - Rep. Bergman, Colleagues Urge Gov. Whitmer to Use Federal Dollars to Help Local Governments

Letter

Dear Governor Whitmer:

We write to request information on how the State of Michigan has allocated federal resources
through the Coronavirus Relief Fund established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act ("CARES Act"). As the federal government continues to work with Michigan on
efforts to address the impact of the coronavirus, we are interested to know how and where these
funds have been deployed throughout the State.

A recent study conducted by the National League of Cities found that thirty-two states, including
Michigan, are withholding Coronavirus Relief Fund resources from most local governments. The
U.S. Treasury has been explicit in its guidance, stating such funds may be transferred to
localities. Furthermore, it was never Congress' intent that these taxpayer dollars be kept from our
local governments, many of which not only have urgent needs but also have the ability to quickly
put these resources to work in rural and remote communities. Aside from the five Michigan
localities that were eligible for direct funding, it is our understanding that Michigan has access to
$3.08 billion in Coronavirus Relief Fund resources. The full allocation to the State, including the
five large localities totals $3.8 billion. With these considerations in mind, we ask that you
provide an outline of your plan to use the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

In many parts of the State, our county and municipal governments have taken on a significant
role in confronting the spread of the coronavirus. This has led to increased and unplanned costs
for governments already operating on thin margins, and are now seeing a substantial decrease in
revenue. Additional transfers of Coronavirus Relief Funds by the State to our local governments
could be used to cover unforeseen expenses, like hazard pay for local law officers. While we are
thankful Michigan has provided state police with hazard pay; county sheriffs, correctional
officers in county jails, and other local law enforcement have not been afforded this same
assistance from the State. We request that you provide an explanation for why the State has not
facilitated hazard pay, such as through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, for these police and their
families.

Additionally, it is important that Coronavirus Relief Fund resources are appropriately distributed
across the State, because it is the entirety of Michigan -- from Copper Harbor to Detroit -- that has been impacted by the pandemic. We appreciate any information you can provide about which
areas of Michigan received or will receive federal support via the State.

Having spoken with local leaders in our districts, it is clear our counties and municipalities have
significant unmet needs in their efforts to help the State stop the spread of the coronavirus. We
ask that you allow local governments this opportunity, and we stand ready to help your
administration identify areas of need. Thank you for your response and attention to this
important matter.