CNCounty News

NACo urges Congress to act on direct funding, CRF deadline extension

Image of GettyImages-1225009218_Capbulding.jpg

Key Takeaways

NACo is urging bipartisan agreement on a new round of direct flexible funding to local governments of all sizes in the next COVID-19 response package.

In a Dec. 2 letter to congressional leadership, NACo also highlighted the need for Congress to immediately pass legislation that would extend the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) deadline.

The letter highlights the devastating fiscal impact of the pandemic on America’s counties, which could total a combined $202 billion through fiscal year 2021. These costs are compounded by the continued job loss in the local government sector. In October 2020, local governments experienced the largest decrease in employment — with non-education jobs ranging from law enforcement officers to health care practitioners, social workers, maintenance crews, construction workers and administrative support, remaining 354,000 below its February 2020 level. In total, local governments have lost 1.2 million jobs since the outset of the pandemic.

Learn More

Read  NACo's Dec. 2 letter to congressional leadership

NACo has multiple customizable advocacy resources available

Deadline fuels CRF money uncertainty

Webinar: Coronavirus Relief Fund Updates: Spending Strategies Under Multiple Deadline Scenarios

Over the past several months, members in both chambers of Congress have introduced several proposals that would address the immediate needs of local governments, including counites, in pandemic response activities.

The HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), as passed by the U.S. House, would allocate $187.5 billion in direct, flexible relief to counties of all sizes based on population.

HEROES Act funding could be used both for tremendous public health expenditures and the catastrophic losses in county revenue, both of which are key county priorities in the next round of COVID-19 relief.

Most recently, on Dec. 1, a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators unveiled its $908 billion coronavirus aid proposal, aiming to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 negotiations. This framework contains broad objectives for a future relief bill but not any legislative text.

The “COVID-19 Emergency Relief Framework” contains many county priorities including increased food assistance and emergency funding for childcare, re-upping the Paycheck Protection Program, reviving unemployment benefits and providing $160 billion in aid to state and local governments.

The framework also includes an extension of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Dec. 30, 2020 deadline, and new funding for vaccine development, distribution, testing and tracing and the U.S. Postal Service.

As Congress considers next steps on these proposals, NACo urges county leaders to contact their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to support direct and flexible funding for counties of all sizes.

Image of GettyImages-1225009218_Capbulding.jpg

Attachments

Related News

Closeup of Capitol and flag
Press Release

National Association of Counties Releases Analysis of Government Spending Bill Impacts on Local Government

NACo applauds the inclusion of items in the two “minibus” packages for government spending reflecting support for county priorities.

Image of GettyImages-182666077.jpg
Advocacy

Congressionally Directed Spending for Fiscal Year 2025: How counties can navigate the earmarks process

Congress has begun the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations cycle. Formal guidance has not been issued by the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees regarding Congressionally Directed Spending. 

Closeup of Capitol and flag
Advocacy

U.S. Congress passes second FY 2024 minibus to complete annual appropriations process

Congress voted to pass its second six-bill minibus package, completing the FY 2024 appropriations process.