In The News

Michiganders in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Ottawa County, have been tuning in to hear from and ask questions of U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, for roughly eight weeks now.
 
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga answered questions about the coronavirus during a telephone town hall conference call.

On Thursday, the congressman talked about how long he has been hosting the telephone town hall meetings, stimulus checks, reopening the economy and more.

One question asked more than once centered on opening the economy after the shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The longer we are at a standstill, the steeper the climb we have to get out of this valley,” Huizenga replied. “Let’s get this economy moving again.”

Huizenga said his general viewpoint is that Michiganders need to get back to work, but in as safe and as low-risk of a manner as possible.

Of the other questions asked during the meeting, some were centered on the federal stimulus checks, or economic impact payments, which were made to Americans via the Internal Revenue Service to help stimulate the economy.

One listener explained that her family had received stimulus checks for relatives who had recently died and was looking for guidance. Huizenga advised her not to use the funds and wait to see if there is a way to return the money so as not to be potentially penalized.

“My strong suggestion is – do not cash that,” he said. “If it was a direct deposit, set that money aside. Do not spend it.”

This article originally appeared in the Grand Haven Tribune on May 2nd.