NACo Legislative Analysis of the Problem Solvers Caucus COVID-19 Relief Framework
-
BlogAfter weeks of stalled negotiations over the next round of federal coronavirus aid, on September 15, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled a new $1.5 trillion “framework” to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 negotiations ahead of the November election. This framework contains broad objectives for a future relief bill but noNACo Legislative Analysis of the Problem Solvers Caucus COVID-19 Relief Framework
-
Blog
NACo Legislative Analysis of the Problem Solvers Caucus COVID-19 Relief Framework
After weeks of stalled negotiations over the next round of federal coronavirus aid, on September 15, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled a new $1.5 trillion “framework” to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 negotiations ahead of the November election. This framework contains broad objectives for a future relief bill but not any legislative text.
The “March to Common Ground” framework contains many county priorities including increased food assistance and emergency funding for child care, re-upping the Paycheck Protection Program, reviving unemployment benefits and providing new aid to state and local governments. The framework also includes new funding for virus testing and tracing, elections, the U.S. Postal Service and extends the 2020 Census.
Along with $1.5 trillion in new proposed new spending, the framework takes into account $130 billion in unspent CARES Act funds and includes potential spending increases (of roughly $400 billion) or reductions (of roughly $200 billion) based on the ongoing severity of the pandemic. The metrics for triggering these provisions involve hospitalizations and vaccine progress, but the framework does not include additional details.
NACo developed an in-depth analysis highlighting key provisions included in the "March to Common Ground" framework and their impact on county governments.
After weeks of stalled negotiations over the next round of federal coronavirus aid, on September 15, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled a new $1.5 trillion “framework” to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 negotiation2020-09-16Blog2020-09-23
After weeks of stalled negotiations over the next round of federal coronavirus aid, on September 15, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled a new $1.5 trillion “framework” to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 negotiations ahead of the November election. This framework contains broad objectives for a future relief bill but not any legislative text.
The “March to Common Ground” framework contains many county priorities including increased food assistance and emergency funding for child care, re-upping the Paycheck Protection Program, reviving unemployment benefits and providing new aid to state and local governments. The framework also includes new funding for virus testing and tracing, elections, the U.S. Postal Service and extends the 2020 Census.
Along with $1.5 trillion in new proposed new spending, the framework takes into account $130 billion in unspent CARES Act funds and includes potential spending increases (of roughly $400 billion) or reductions (of roughly $200 billion) based on the ongoing severity of the pandemic. The metrics for triggering these provisions involve hospitalizations and vaccine progress, but the framework does not include additional details.
NACo developed an in-depth analysis highlighting key provisions included in the "March to Common Ground" framework and their impact on county governments.

About Eryn Hurley (Full Bio)
Director of Government Affairs & Federal Fellowship Initiative
Eryn serves as the Director for NACo’s Government Affairs Department. In this capacity, she assists in Legislative and Executive Branch outreach and advocacy of the association’s legislative priorities and policy development.More from Eryn Hurley
-
County News
Urban county leaders stress ARPA flexibility during Hill visit
Urban county leaders demonstrated how the American Rescue Plan Act's flexibility offers counties a transformational opportunity to improve and deliver services to residents and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. -
Press Release
Metropolitan County Leaders Invest American Rescue Plan Resources in Pandemic Response, Mental Health, Homelessness
Elected leaders from major urban counties with over 4.2 million residents this week outlined how they are deploying resources from the American Rescue Plan to respond to urgent community needs. -
Video
Capitol Hill Briefing: Leveraging ARPA Funding to Respond to the Pandemic and Address the Nation’s Mental Health and Homelessness Crises
Leaders of NACo's Large Urban County Caucus host a Capitol Hill briefing to describe how counties are investing in pandemic recovery, including efforts to address the nation’s growing behavioral health and homelessness crises. -
Blog
Treasury releases closeout guidance for ERA1 awards
The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, provides direct funding to states and eligible units of local governments, including counties with populations of over 200,000, to assist families struggling to make rental and utility payments. -
Webinar
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Broadband Programs: Overview of the NTIA’s Notice of Funding Opportunities
Jun. 1, 2022 , 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmJoin NACo staff for an overview of the new Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) released by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to administer $48 billion in broadband infrastructure and digital equity funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. -
Reports & Toolkits
Counties and the American Rescue Plan Act Recovery Fund: Intergovernmental Partnerships
Counties across the nation are complementing Recovery Fund investments with intergovernmental partnerships to efficiently deliver programs and services, leverage state funding opportunities and support a regional approach to recovery.
-
Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.Reports & Toolkitsdocument010512:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Basic page
Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2021-2022 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues.</p>
-
Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
On November 15, 2021, President Biden enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58), into law. This page and its contents are supplemental to NACo's comprehensive legislative analysis of the BIL for counties.Reports & Toolkitsdocument030310:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Contact
-
Director of Government Affairs & Federal Fellowship Initiative(202) 942-4204
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
-
Legislative Director – Health | Large Urban County Caucus(202) 942-4246
Related Posts
-
County NewsUrban county leaders stress ARPA flexibility during Hill visitJun. 27, 2022
-
BlogTreasury releases closeout guidance for ERA1 awardsJun. 14, 2022
-
BlogNow accepting policy resolutions and platform changes for the 2022 NACo Annual ConferenceMay. 19, 2022
Related Resources
-
Press ReleaseMetropolitan County Leaders Invest American Rescue Plan Resources in Pandemic Response, Mental Health, HomelessnessJun. 24, 2022
-
VideoCapitol Hill Briefing: Leveraging ARPA Funding to Respond to the Pandemic and Address the Nation’s Mental Health and Homelessness CrisesJun. 23, 2022
-
Reports & ToolkitsCounties and the American Rescue Plan Act Recovery Fund: Intergovernmental PartnershipsMay. 24, 2022
More From
-
Understanding Eligible Uses of The Fiscal Recovery Fund: How Counties Should Calculate Revenue Loss
Find important information your county should reference when calculating its revenue loss.
Learn More