Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves $56 million budget plan to help Northern Michigan recover from ice storm
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 4328 to appropriate state funds to assist 12 northern counties after a historic ice storm; amendments seeking immediate EMS and federal-recovery replacements were considered and rejected before a floor substitute was adopted.
The Michigan House approved House Bill 4328 on third reading to supplement appropriations and support recovery in Northern Michigan after a severe ice storm that damaged infrastructure across 12 counties.
Representative Fairbairn, sponsor of the bill, described the event as a "once in a generation" storm that coated trees, power lines and communications infrastructure with thick ice, leaving many communities without power or fuel and facing extensive debris removal. "A vote in support of this plan tells the people of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula that, yes, we hear you loud and clear, and we do have your back," Fairbairn said.
Several floor amendments were offered and voted on. Representative Snyder proposed an amendment to appropriate $6 million to reimburse emergency medical services (EMS) providers owed payments by Wellpath for prison responses; Snyder said some EMS agencies faced near-term insolvency without repayment. Representative Menser offered an amendment to replace $56 million of federal disaster recovery funds that had been delayed; Menser argued state action was needed so communities would not be left waiting for federal disbursements. Both amendments were not adopted. The House adopted a floor substitute offered by Representative Fairbairn.
On final passage, the clerk announced the bill passed by recorded vote, 107 yeas to 1 nay. The House ordered immediate effect.
