UPDATE
APRIL 22, 2020
FEDERAL ACTION
The federal legislation adding funds to the Paycheck Protection Project cleared the Senate unanimously yesterday. We’ve been told that the House will vote to approve the package on Thursday. Following is a summary of the increased funding:
Amendments to the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and Emergency Grants:
  • Increases the authorization level for the Paycheck Protection Program from $349 billion to $659 billion.
  • Increases the appropriation level for the Paycheck Protection Program from $349 billion to $670.335 billion.
  • Increases the authorization level for the Emergency Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) Grants from $10 billion to $20 billion.
  • Allows agricultural enterprises as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)) with not more than 500 employees to receive EIDL grants and loans.
  • Creates a set-aside for Insured Depository Institutions, Credit Unions, and Community Financial Institutions for the Paycheck Protection Program.
STATE AND LOCAL ACTION
Both the Legislature and the State have created Task Forces to make recommendations for the economic recovery of the state post COVID19. The Regular Session of the Legislature is scheduled to resume some time betwen early to mid May but must end by June 1. Political talk is there will be two special sessions; once focused on budgetary issues and a session in the fall focused on economic development.

The Louisiana Legislative Advisory Task Force on Economic Recovery is expected to present its recommendations to the House and Senate by July 1 with the Governor's Resilient Louisiana task force "charged with examining Louisiana’s economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic and making recommendations for more resilient business-related activities and commerce in the coming months." 

There are legislators and non-legislators on both. It will be interesting to see how the two groups align or diverge in their recommendations.

ACECL-DOTD VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE MEETINGS
DOTD SECRETARY SHAWN WILSON

When: Apr 28, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please submit suggestions for meeting topics or advance questions to Doreen Brasseaux at dbrasseaux@acecl.org.

1 PDH will be offered for this meeting.
DOTD CHIEF ENGINEER CHRIS KNOTTS

When: Apr 30, 2020 01:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:



After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please submit suggestions for meeting topics or advance questions to Doreen Brasseaux at dbrasseaux@acecl.org.

1 PDH will be offered for this meeting.
CARING AND SHARING
MOVEBR Small Business Outreach Webinar
I highly encourage anyone doing or interested in MOVEBR projects to view this webinar.

The PowerPoint presentation, sign-in sheet and a video recording of the MOVEBR Webinar: Tips for Responding to Requests for Qualifications Webinar held on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 are all available for download on the MOVEBR website. 
Results from 4.20.20 Swift Survey:

84% of those responding have submitted a PPP application and 95% have been approved.
23.5% have applied for a SBA EIDL loan with no approvals yet.
16% of respondents have reduced the hours of design professionals and 6% have furloughed or laid off design professionals. On the other hand, 37% have reduced hours, furloughed or laid off non-design professional staff.


Thanks for your participation! I think it is helpful to see how your colleagues are managing through this response and recovery.