ST. IGNACE, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants $250 million in federal coronavirus relief aid to go towards the upgrading of Michigan’s state parks and trails.

In a press conference Thursday, Whitmer blamed the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it disproportionately hit the tourism industry and hospitality sector.

However, Whitmer failed to acknowledge the role her extended shutdowns had on those industries.

Under her mandates via the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), restaurants and bars are still at 50 percent capacity until July 1.

Whitmer’s announcement comes as Senate Republicans propose a $1.5 billion plan to fix hundreds of deteriorating bridges across the state. They’re the latest proposals added to the mix as Whitmer and lawmakers haggle over how to use $6.5 billion in discretionary COVID-19 funding included in a rescue package.

This piece was written by Katie Heid on June 11, 2021. It originally appeared in GreatLakesNews.org and is used by permission.

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