State Rep. Timmy Beson, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, and the Michigan House of Representatives today approved a supplemental budget to send relief to workers and businesses still experiencing the effects of the pandemic and previous government restrictions.

The economic aid plan, contained in House Bill 5524, would appropriate a total of $184.6 million.

“Recovery is a work in progress,” said Beson, of Bangor Township. “Michigan workers and small businesses need more relief. Our plan will help repay license fees for workers and small-business owners. And other aid will help local businesses stay open and pay employees.”

The plan would offset the cost of proposals Beson and the House approved last year to compensate businesses and workers for state license fees. This includes more than $28 million to cover refunds for individual license fees for people who were unable to work because of COVID-19 orders: nearly $9 million for health care workers, $1.5 million for skilled trade workers and $17.7 million for other licensed workers. Another $5 million would offset refunds for businesses’ food license fees, and $9 million would cover liquor license fee refunds.

Proposed business fee relief comes on top of a $409 million business relief program based on taxes and fees, which became law last month after a months-long effort by Beson.

Other components of the plan to help local businesses include $53 million for health and fitness centers, $10 million to support businesses certifying staff to serve alcohol, and $30 million to support tourism through local convention and visitors bureaus.

HB 5524 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and now advances to the Senate for consideration.

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