News Bite

Two Deaths, But Whitmer Still Closes Bars And Limits Indoor Gatherings To 10

On one day in April more people died of coronavirus in Michigan than all of July

On a day when two individuals died of coronavirus in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closed indoor service at all bars in a state of 10 million and limited indoor gatherings to 10 people.

Whitmer’s executive order was issued Wednesday and will take effect on July 31, according to a press release.

Michigan had 231 coronavirus-related deaths in July through Wednesday, according to the New York Times database.

By comparison, Michigan had 232 COVID-19 deaths on a single day in April (April 21).

In July thus far, Michigan has averaged eight deaths a day linked to the coronavirus.

As of July 27, the there 670 people hospitalized in Michigan due to COVID-19. By comparison, there were 3,357 COVID-19 patients Michigan hospitals on April 20.

The bed occupancy rate in the state’s hospitals was 69% as of July 27. This is about the rate hospitals maintain when there is no epidemic.

“As we see COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Michiganders cannot afford to drop our guard. We must take every step possible to save lives, protect the brave men and women on the front lines, and avoid overwhelming our healthcare system while we continue to combat COVID-19,” Whitmer said in a press release. “After seeing a resurgence in cases connected to social gatherings across the state, we must further limit gatherings for the health of our community and economy. By taking these strong actions, we will be better positioned to get our children back into classrooms and avoid a potentially devastating second wave.”

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.

News Story

Group Wants Schools Serving Low-Income Students To Get More — But That’s Already Happening

A big pot of state and federal dollars is set aside for districts whose families have less

A group called Education Trust-Midwest, plus a number of business executives, civil rights groups and municipal officials, have a new campaign they call “Opportunity for All.” It will lobby for increased spending on public schools, and direct more of the money to districts serving more students from low income households.

The goal is to prioritize school funding to help low-income students.

However, in Michigan, school funding already favors districts with more low-income students.

For example, the state of Michigan will distribute an additional $350.8 million in federal money to school districts due to COVID-19.

Benton Harbor Area Schools in Berrien County will receive $3.2 million in that federal COVID-19 money. That’s $1,672 per pupil, based on 2018-19 enrollment. Benton Harbor has 47% of its residents living in poverty.

DeWitt Township has just 9% of its residents in poverty. DeWitt Public Schools in Clinton County received $52,686 in the federal coronavirus money. That’s $16.48 per pupil based on DeWitt Public Schools’ 2018-19 enrollment.

The discrepancy between schools exists because the government favors districts with more low-income students.

And that plays out with overall school funding also.

DeWitt Public Schools received $9,397 per pupil in 2018-19, according to the Michigan Department of Education. That included local, state and federal funding. By comparison, Benton Harbor Area Schools received $14,740 per pupil. The state average was $10,487 per pupil.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.