COMMUNITY NEWS
Talks Ongoing For $908B COVID Aid Package Editor’s note: On Dec. 16, Republicans and Democrats in Congress were reported to be nearing an agreement with the White House on a “targeted pandemic relief package” as a Friday midnight deadline loomed. The proposal may include stimulus checks of $600 to $700 to individuals and unemployment aid. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said legislators would not leave until there is an agreement. ••• n Dec. 3, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), his bipartisan congressional colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus, and a bipartisan group of senators announced a $908 billion COVID-19 emergency relief framework. The package would provide support to small businesses, local and state governments, students, renters and healthcare providers during the pandemic. The proposal was formulated and supported by the 25 Democrats, including Congressman Panetta, and the 25 Republican members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in coordination with Senators Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Susan Collins
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(Maine), Mark Warner (Virginia), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Angus King (Maine), Mitt Romney (Utah), and Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire). The framework of the targeted package allocates $908 billion in total aid, including both new funding and the reallocation of previously appropriated CARES Act funding. The legislation would focus resources to the following key categories: • Paycheck Protection Program including restaurants, stages, and deductibility $288 billion
12 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments $160 billion • Additional Unemployment Insurance - $180 billion • Education Funding - $82 billion • Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit, Amtrak) - $45 billion • Healthcare Provider Relief Fund - $35B • Nutrition/Agriculture - $26 billion • Rental Housing Assistance - $25 billion • Vaccine Development and Distribution, Testing, Tracing - $16 billion • CDFI/MDI Community Lender Support - $12 billion
U.S. Postal Service - $10 billion Child Care - $10 billion Broadband Funding - $10 billion Opioid Treatment - $5 billion Student Loans - $4 billion The proposal would provide short-term federal protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits to give states times to develop their own response. “Right now, there are Americans that are hurting due to this bruising pandemic and damaging economic restrictions. In my community, in addition to the health crisis, people are out of work and small businesses are closing their doors under incredible financial strain,” said Panetta. “Our Problem Solvers Caucus bipartisan, bicameral package delivers targeted relief to our country’s healthcare providers, families, employees, and employers. It’s past time for Congress to play its part, get back to the negotiating table, and provide the needed support for the central coast of California and communities nationwide.” “908 Billion” page 14
