CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE CONTINUES CALL FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING RELIEF
Recent reports in Democrat and Chronicle, New York Times underscore importance of securing funding for Monroe County and the City of Rochester.
Morelle-sponsored legislation would provide immediate relief, protect critical community programs, services, and jobs.
(Washington DC) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle reiterated his call for meaningful legislative action to help state and local governments cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent cuts to critical community programs, like education. Congressman Morelle has introduced two bills, The Coronavirus Assistance for States Act and the State Operations Stabilization (SOS) Act, and has also voted to pass the HEROES Act to address this crisis, however legislation has stalled in the Senate.
"Recent articles from the New York Times, the Democrat and Chronicle, and more have simply put to paper what have known for months: communities are struggling, and Congress must allocate aid immediately to protect critical services families need to survive," said Rep. Morelle. "With each day that passes without a new relief bill, it is becoming increasingly urgent that we must provide states and localities the funding they need to weather this crisis. I've introduced legislation to do just that, and one of my top priorities in the coming weeks and months is ensuring that we have expansive stabilization funds to help Rochester and communities across the country continue to heal."
Cuts to the Rochester City School District further underscore the urgency and importance of government aid to our schools that are struggling. The Heroes Act, which Congressman Morelle passed through the House in May, would have helped to circumvent these cuts. This bill provided $915 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments, which are facing budget shortfalls and would've prevented mass teacher layoffs and deep cuts to public education. It also invested more than $100 billion in direct emergency funding for students, schools, and institutions to maintain access to education. The bill has not been taken up by the Senate.
Rep. Morelle's own legislation, The State Operations Stabilization (SOS) Act, would expand the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was recently enacted as part of the CARES Act, to allow localities to utilize funds as a replacement for lost revenue or to make up a deficit resulting from lost tax revenue due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. This would prevent state and local governments from being forced to cut critical social, community, and educational services to make up shortfalls due to lost income.
The Coronavirus Assistance for States Act, also sponsored by Rep. Morelle, will provide additional funding and flexibility for states and tribal governments to adequately protect and care for their residents and help begin the economic recovery from COVID-19. The funding for each state or tribal government is determined by their relative population and is expected to equal about $1,000 per person for each state or tribal government. The funding provides much-needed relief for states to cover the necessary expenditures incurred during the COVID-19 outbreak, replace revenue lost during the public health emergency, or contribute to the economic recovery for their region.
Congressman Morelle is also a cosponsor of the Coronavirus Community Relief Act, legislation to provide $250 billion in stabilization funds for local communities, cities and towns across the United States that are struggling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides funding for units of local government with a population of 500,000 or less.
"It's our responsibility as lawmakers to fight for our communities," continued Rep. Morelle. "That the Senate continues to delay relief is not only unconscionable, it will profoundly hurt the future of our families and our economy."
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