West Central Michigan News

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) is sponsoring a bill to provide assistance to essential workers in Michigan. The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations (HEROES) Act is one way to say thank you to those who are working during the COVID-19 crisis.

“This was modeled after what we do for troops,” said Huizenga in an interview with the Grand Haven Tribune. “We suspend their income tax when they go into war zone. This really is a war on this virus. The impact to the economy is real. The threat to health is real.”

If approved, this bill would offer law enforcement officers, pharmacists, firefighters, nurses, doctors and licensed medical facility support staff a four-month income tax holiday. Huizenga wants to get the bill passed as quickly as he can.

He has also announced federal funding to support college students and institutions, which he announced in April. The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act provided over $6 billion to colleges and universities, with the caveat that they must provide cash grants for students to cover expenses related to the disruption in their studies.

These funds can cover items like food, housing, health care and child care, as well as books and course materials. Each individual educational organization will determine how it allocates the money.  

“The coronavirus has significantly impacted the ability of students to achieve a quality educational experience,” said Huizenga, according to a press release on his website.  “Through federal grants included in the CARES Act, colleges and universities across Michigan will be able to provide relief to students with expenses associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

In West Michigan, 21 educational institutions will receive funding. Those include: Aquinas College, Baker College, Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin University, Central Michigan University, Compass College of Cinematic Arts, Cornerstone University, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grace Christian University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Kuyper College, Michigan State University, Muskegon Community College, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Wayne State University, West Shore Community College, Western Michigan University and Western Theological Seminary.