Whitmer Hopes Michigan’s Economy Can Start to Reopen May 1st

State leaders are continuing planning efforts to re-open Michigan’s economy.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says a plan offered by President Donald Trump this week is good starting point, but she says most of the work will need to be done at the state level.

“It’s going to be really important that we are able to make decisions based on the needs of our individual states.”

“We have to come up with a plan for Michigan and I think Michiganders are the best ones to come up with that plan,” Whitmer said. “And that’s why we’ve been inclusive and thoughtful about how we do this work and plot the strategy.”

Whitmer says she agrees with the president that re-opening the economy will require a phased approach. She says she hopes Michigan businesses can start re-opening on May 1st.

A hiring freeze at the state level is already in place, but Whitmer says more will likely need to be done to balance the books for the current fiscal year.

She says Washington D.C. lawmakers could help by giving states more wiggle room to use federal funds.

“They’ve not given us a lot of flexibility and it’s going to be really important that we are able to make decisions based on the needs of our individual states.”