(WSYM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer warned that the state will run out of antigen tests if the Legislature does not deploy federal dollars for economic recovery.
She said the state must pass the COVID recovery plan in order to meet vaccination goals, among other things.
"The urgency to pass this plan couldn't be higher," she said.
Whitmer said antigen tests have been an "essential tool" to re-engaging the state's economy, she said.
She also said the tests are an important component to re-engagement in a way that's "sustainable and successful."
"Michigan will not be able to keep up with testing demand if the Legislature does not act," she said. "We need them to do their job and pass the recovery plan so we can keep purchasing these critical antigen tests."
She said the state is "hopeful" to announce additional aspects of re-engagement, but said the Legislature needs to do their part in order for the state to stay on its current path.
"These dollars are crucial for success on all these fronts," she said. The state will be out of antigen tests in the coming weeks if more resources are not deployed.
Whitmer said the state needs 3 to 4 million antigen tests per month for nursing homes and schools alone.
"I can't understand why the Legislature would not deploy $5 billion into the Michigan economy for vaccines, testing, in-person learning, small business relief," she said.
Both the state House and Senate have released their own recovery plans that have a significantly smaller price tag than the governor's.
