Macomb Today

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer received a $371 million budget supplemental from the Michigan Senate. According to Sen. Michael D. MacDonald (R-Macomb Township), the budget supplement is aimed at restoring her fiscal year 2020 vetoes and to improve the health of Macomb families.

Sen. MacDonald issued a statement in support of this move. “This  bill will support health and emergency care in Macomb County — with  vital resources heading to local hospitals and to provide lifesaving LUCAS Chest Compression Systems to the Sterling Heights Fire  Department,” MacDonald said, according to MiSenateGOP.

The devices, which cost $16,000 per unit, according to MiSenateGOP, will help firefighters during resuscitation, as they are designed to  perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation automatically. This will ease the  burden of constant resuscitation by firefighters during a fire rescue.

The governor’s previous budget cut -- from funding to support veterans, job training, people with disabilities and hospitals -- will be restored by Senate Bill 151, which includes $200,000 for these devices.

The new coronavirus war has been boosted by the inclusion of $75 million in funding, authorized  by the bill. An additional $5 million will be allocated to manage shoreline erosion that is caused by high water levels.

Asked about the additional funding, MacDonald stated the importance of restoring the local health system in the fight against COVID-19.

“This critical funding will ensure we’re doing everything we can to help state  and local health officials combat and respond to the coronavirus  outbreak,” MacDonald said. “As your senator, I’m dedicated to helping  improve the lives of the people of Macomb County, and I was also proud to fight for a grant in this supplemental budget for a green space initiative in Sterling Heights that would benefit area families for  years to come," reported MiSenateGOP.

The governor will be presented with SB 151 bill to sign.