Whitmer: Congress can prevent deep cuts; K-12 is priority

(WXYZ) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says protecting K-12 funding is her priority as Michigan seeks a federal bailout to avoid steep spending cuts during the pandemic. Her budget director says there's no way to complete the next budget by a July deadline. The state's facing a nearly $6.3 billion revenue hole over this fiscal year and the next one. Whitmer's hoping Congress soon approves another round of funding for states and gives them flexibility so existing aid can address budget shortfalls. Michigan says at least 1,216 residents of nursing homes have died from the coronavirus, nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 deaths.