Senate GOP passes COVID-19 funding bills, including one Democrats call 'racist bulls--t'

[marmar]

(Detroit Free Press) Senators approved measures that would send almost $2 billion to schools, businesses and families attempting to avoid evictions, but withheld hundreds of millions more in aid and included language multiple Senate Democrats called racist.

The bills aim to determine how to distribute federal funds approved by federal lawmakers and former President Donald Trump in December. The measures are different from the House's plan and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's proposals, indicating no legislative consensus and ultimately delays in those who need help the most getting any money.

Democrats tried to amend the bills to provide the additional funds, but Republicans beat back those efforts.

The most controversial component of the two-bill package would force the state health department to stop using something called the Social Vulnerability Index in determining how to divvy up vaccines. The index weighs many factors, including race, gender and socioeconomic status, in determining how many vaccines communities should receive. ...........(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/25/senate-gop-covid-19-funding-michigan/6814338002/