LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Months after devastating ice storms swept through Northern Michigan, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) is urging the Senate to advance long-delayed relief funding that has been stalled in the Appropriations Committee for three months.
The bill.
House Bill 4328 would provide Northern Michiganders with the funding they need to rebuild after the March storms damaged property and left people dealing with economic repercussions.
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“It’s been months since the ice storm hit, and Northern Michigan families are still struggling to rebuild,” Nesbitt said in a press release. “These are our neighbors, our communities, and they deserve help now.”
Federal funding.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met with President Donald Trump and requested federal aid for Northern Michiganders in April. Last month, Trump approved her request.
“With this initial support, we can help communities recover costs associated with cleanup efforts,” Whitmer said in a press release. “I want to thank the president and our congressional delegation for supporting our request, and I look forward to collaborating further on much-needed additional resources. Michiganders across the state stepped up to help our neighbors, and while other parts of our request remain under review, we will continue advocating together to help Northern Michigan recover and rebuild.”
Next steps.
The next step is for the Senate to pass the relief funding bill, ensuring that businesses and families in Northern Michigan receive the financial support they need.
“The House, Senate Republicans and the governor are at the table, ready to act,” Nesbitt said. “Instead of playing political games while people are in need of relief, Senate Democrats need to stop obstructing and do what’s right for the people of Michigan.”
The Republican leader and candidate for governor said there is no reason to hold up funding, in a post on X.
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“People are hurting,” Nesbitt said. “It’s time for Democrats to stop treating Michiganders as pawns in a game of political chess.”