The Warren Sun

Sen. Michael MacDonald (R- Macomb Township) has given his support to a resolution measure for the 2020 fiscal year’s budget deficit, the MiSenateGOP website reported.

MacDonald has backed a number of measures that he hopes will remedy the massive deficit. Such measures include hiring freezes, cuts to spending and using some of Michigan’s rainy day funds. In addition, these measure would help to bring more relief funding to sectors hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as education. 

“Macomb County families, students, workers and job providers have all made huge sacrifices due to COVID-19, and I am proud we were able to support them as we solved a historic deficit caused by the pandemic,” MacDonald said, according to MiSenateGOP. “Under this bipartisan agreement, the state will be shouldering the load of the shortfall with spending cuts and other cost-saving measures.”

MacDonald said that the measures he is supporting will help to remedy the budget crisis without raising taxes or reducing vital public services, such as education or public safety. 

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed an executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which will cut spending for this year, resulting in some state agencies reducing their budgets. 

The agreement is set to save $936 million for fiscal year 2020, in addition to using $350 million from Michigan’s rainy day fund for critical programs. 

After Senate Bills 373 and 5265 have been passed, the total from the Coronavirus Relief Funds will reach $3 billion.

“We are using available federal resources to help schools make the improvements necessary to provide a safe place for students to learn — either in person or remotely,” MacDonald said. “This budget plan will also allocate $500 in one-time hazard pay to our teachers in appreciation of their efforts to ensure Macomb students continue to learn during this global pandemic.”