On April 21st, U.S. Reps. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Joe Morelle (NY-25), along with more than a dozen cosponsors, introduced new legislation to provide additional support for states as they deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Relief for States Act will provide $500 billion in flexible funding to states to respond to the current crisis, backfill state budgets, and support economic recovery. The $500 billion amount mirrors the request from the National Governor’s Association, and compliments other efforts to support local cities and counties. Governor Jared Polis has also expressed his support for $500 billion for states in the next federal relief package.
“The CARES Act was a solid first step but we need to do more to help state governments as they respond to this unprecedented crisis,” said Congressman Ed Perlmutter. “This means providing more funding as well as more flexibility for states to cover the necessary expenditures incurred during the COVID-19 outbreak, replace revenue lost during the public health emergency, and contribute to the economic recovery for their particular state.”
“COVID-19 has caused unprecedented challenges for communities across our nation, and we will continue to feel its effects for months to come,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “That’s why it’s so important that we take action to ensure states and localities have the financial resources to respond to their changing needs and protect critical social services families rely on. Americans have always proven their resiliency, even in the most trying of times—and I’m proud to partner with my friend Rep. Perlmutter to help provide the support and stability our communities need to get through this crisis safely.”
“The CARES Act was a solid first step but we need to do more to help state governments as they respond to this unprecedented crisis.”
Congressman Ed Perlmutter
Perlmutter has made the need for an increase in state and local aid a priority as he works to develop legislation to support Colorado during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also cosponsoring the Coronavirus Community Relief Act, introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), to provide $250 billion in stabilization funds for local communities, cities and towns in Colorado and across the United States that are facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Current cosponsors of the Coronavirus Relief for States Act include Reps. Joaquin Castro, Jan Schakowsky, Alcee Hastings, Peter Welch, Don Beyer, Derek Kilmer, Marc Veasey, Joe Neguse, Jamie Raskin, Madeleine Dean, Tim Ryan, Alma Adams, Peter DeFazio, Jason Crow, Sean Patrick Maloney, Ed Case, Diana DeGette, Jahana Hayes, Deb Haaland.
For More Colorado News: WWW.ELSEMANARIOCOLORADO.COM
- Denver Will Use These Criteria to Decide Which Schools to Close for Low Enrollment - November 8, 2024
- Encouraging Black and Latinx Students to Apply to Selective Colleges Has Become More Urgent Than Ever - November 8, 2024
- Growing Up, I Often Heard Gunfire. Why Didn’t We Talk About It? - November 8, 2024