UPDATED (3/25): COVID-19 Funding in the CARES Act
We know the Senate is approaching final agreement on the CARES Act. However, negotiations are ongoing and our champions in Congress are still working to improve the legislation before it’s sent to the President for enactment.
NLC sent a letter to House and Senate leadership to reiterate the critical priorities that should be included in the final negotiations on this third emergency supplemental funding package. This letter can be accessed here.
There is still time to use your voice to URGE your members of Congress to adopt recommendations that will empower cities, towns and villages to respond to this public health and economic crisis. The third stimulus bill should:
- Fix the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The bill currently authorizes $150 billion in direct federal aid for state governments, and local governments over 500,000 in population.
- Fix Unfunded Mandates. The bill does not fix an unfunded mandate enacted under H.R. 6201 that prevents governments from receiving tax credits to offset new employer requirements for paid sick leave and paid emergency leave.
- Fix the Municipal Bond Market. Municipal bonds are a key source of funding for local governments. Congress must enact provisions protecting the functioning and liquidity of the municipal bond market so that local governments can gain access to the funding they urgently need to provide crucial services during this difficult period.
If you have a direct line to your member of Congress, we encourage you to call them first with these requests. We understand there are continuing last minute negotiations and any urgent action around these requests will help.
For additional information and resources for local leaders, visit NLC’s Coronavirus Response Resources page.