News from Washington on federal coronavirus information and resources.
Coronavirus Update
March 30, 2020
Information and resources on federal responses to the coronavirus crisis for state, local, and regional government.
Federal Response
Capitol Hill. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump (P.L. 116-136), on March 27, 2020. TFG has prepared a thorough Brief on the CARES Act that provides detailed information on the bill's provisions.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) foresees a fourth coronavirus legislative package focusing on recovery efforts targeted at job creation and infrastructure building. However, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has advocated for waiting to see how the approved three coronavirus packages play out before turning to draft another.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), according to Politico, said he wants to “double down on an infrastructure package that repairs the breach left by years of neglect.”
Administration. President Trump announced that the federal guidelines urging Americans to social distance will remain in place for another month and could last until June. The Administration is urging Americans to avoid restaurants, bars, and other situations involving 10 or more people.
FEMA released information regarding the National Guard Title 32 status. President Trump directed the Secretary of Defense to permit full federal reimbursement by FEMA for some states for use of their National Guard forces.
President Trump approved additional Major Disaster Declarations. A full list of the Major Disaster Declarations for individual states can be found here.
FEMA extended the grace period for flood insurance renewal premiums from 30 to 120 days. This extension applies to NFIP flood insurance policies with an expiration date between February 13 – June 15, 2020.
The Department of Health and Human Services and FEMA are purchasing and/or accepting donations of medical supplies or equipment from the private sector.
EPA Administrator Wheeler sent a letterto Governors urging them to ensure that drinking water and wastewater employees are considered essential workers by state authorities when enacting restrictions such as shelter in place orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Advocacy
NACo has created ananalysis of the CARES Act which points to provisions that assist counties and highlights areas of the legislation that fall short.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) conducted a surveyon vital protective equipment and supplies. In response to the results of this survey, USMC sent aletter to President Trump asking for help in securing critical supplies and equipment in cities across the country.
News and Updates
The CARES Act provides for population based state and local aid under the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund. The Tax Foundation released detailed information on the eligibility requirements for the aid, which will be distributed to states no later than April 26, 2020.
Apple and the CDC, with the White House and FEMA, launched a new website and app with a COVID-19 screening tool and resources to help protect individuals’ health.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a reporton March 27, summarizing the 2020 Recovery Rebates included in H.R. 748, the CARES Act.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has created a COVID-19 State-by-State projections model that can be used to determine when the coronavirus may overwhelm U.S. hospital and state governments’ ability to care for patients.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)conducted an online survey of finance officers last week, that details the impacts of the coronavirus on government revenues and expenditures.
