ANN ARBOR, Michigan – The following statement was sent to media statewide today by the Michigan Municipal League. The statement is about the U.S. Senate voting to approve direct aid to local governments in the American Rescue Plan. The statement can be attributed to League Board President Bill Wild, Mayor of Westland.
“We applaud the Senate for committing much-needed $65 billon of direct aid to all local governments to help our communities recover and rebuild from the devastation caused by COVID-19. This aid will provide significant and desperately needed funding to Michigan communities of all sizes as they work to assist our communities, businesses, and residents in emerging from the coronavirus pandemic,” Wild said. “We would especially like to thank Michigan U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters for their leadership in getting this package approved.”
The League also supports the following statement released today by the National League of Cities.
“As the American Rescue Plan makes its way back to the House of Representatives, and ultimately to President Biden’s desk, we urge lawmakers to preserve the essential aid they have secured for our local governments on the front lines. Throughout this pandemic, our community leaders, first responders and members of our critical local workforce have worked tirelessly to protect our communities from COVID-19, and we implore Congress and the President to ensure their sacrifices are met with a steadfast commitment to supporting our hometowns now and throughout our nation’s economic recovery.”
“Today’s vote is an important acknowledgement of the urgency with which we all must work to ensure our municipalities have the resources to put an end to the pandemic. In particular, our nation’s small municipalities – which have been passed over in all previous federal relief packages – will finally be able to secure the direct relief they need to ensure critical local services can continue during this critical moment.”
For additional information contact the League’s Matt Bach, assistant director of strategic communications, at (810) 874-1073 (cell) and [email protected].
Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.