GovWin SLED Coronavirus Recon

General 

• Montana updates daily test reporting as COVID-19 cases top 300
  • Montana is expected to extend its stay-at-home order for another two weeks
  • The state announced that it will change how it updates COVID-19 testing results online, moving from twice-daily updates to a mid-morning report
• (Minnesota) Walz Expects To Extend Stay-At-Home Through End Of April
  • The Governor’s original stay-at-home order runs through Friday, April 10, but he has said in recent days that he is not ready to lift it
  • Minnesota Legislature will reconvene Tuesday to pass a bill that would ensure first responders and health care workers who are infected with the coronavirus to qualify for workers compensation without having to prove they were sickened on the job
• Iowa's additional COVID-19-related closures begin Tuesday
  • Additional closures began at 8 AM, Tuesday April 7, 2020
• Most Aggressive States Against the Coronavirus
  • This report highlights which states are taking the most aggressive action to fight the pandemic
• Idaho moves up the most in updated study on state responses to COVID-19
  • Idaho jumped up several spots in a study on COVID-19 responsiveness to 24 from 48.
• Kansas Gov. Kelly says federal response to COVID-19 is forcing states into ‘bidding war’
  • Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a rebuke of the Federal Government’s response by describing the actions as creating a “bidding war” among the states for supplies.
• (Alabama) Governor Ivey Launches State’s Guide to COVID-19 Relief Efforts
  • Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced the launch of altogetheralabama.org, an online resource that will serve as a hub of information for the state’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
• (Colorado) Stay-At-Home Orders Extended & Other COVID-19 News
  • Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced he was extending the state’s stay-at-home order—which would have expired next weekend—through April 26.
• Wisconsin is holding the most dangerous election ever. Here’s why.  
  • Amid a deadly pandemic that has led more than a dozen states to delay their elections, Wisconsin is asking its citizens to come out and vote Tuesday.
• NYS on PAUSE Extended
  • Governor Cuomo directed schools and nonessential businesses to stay closed for an additional two weeks through April 29th.
• (Wisconsin) Statewide Election Back On after Wisconsin, U.S. Supreme Courts Take Action
  • In a 4-2 decision, Monday evening, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the governor was not authorized to change the date of the election on his own and overturned the order.
  • 2,400 National Guard Members have been activated and trained to assist with staffing polling places.
• DC Coronavirus Emergency To Be Extended Into Mid-June
  • City Council is considering a measure to extend by an additional 45 days the state of emergency declared by Mayor Muriel Bowser
  • The bill will also authorize up to $500 million in short-term borrowing
  • The bill would also authorize the mayor to provide up to $25 million in grants to hospitals as they prepare fo the surge of patients with COVID-19.

Funding & Economic Impact 

• COVID-19 Could Bankrupt Your State
  • States and cities are facing potential bankruptcy, as tax revenues fall and emergency spending skyrockets.
• (North Carolina) Monday numbers: A closer look at where millions in federal COVID-19 relief dollars will go in NC
  • This article breaks down how federal funding for COVID-19 will be disbursed throughout the state.
• From surplus to 'tsunami': Pandemic dims bright forecast for Minnesota's budget
  • Minnesota is expected to receive nearly $2.2 billion in federal government aid by April 24, Frans said. About $1.2 billion of that will be for the state government, with the rest passed through to cities and local governments. Federal dollars are intended to help cover COVID-19-related expenses, not to make up for lost revenue, Senate fiscal analyst Eric Nauman said. Congress, however, could change that.
  • Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury, asked if a borrowing bill to fund construction projects, commonly referred to as a bonding bill, would help the state’s economy. Using bonding to put people to work when the interest rates are low is a good idea, Kalambokidis said.
• (Massachusetts) Bill to keep local government running during COVID-19 pandemic now on governor’s desk
  • House Bill 4598, an act to address challenges faced by municipalities and state authorities resulting from COVID-19, was enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate on April 2. State Rep. Susan Williams Gifford, R-Wareham, said the bill provides communities with much-needed flexibility to conduct business and finalize a budget while operating under the difficult constraints imposed by the state of emergency that took effect March 10.
  • In addition to giving town moderators the authority to declare a recess or continuance of town meeting for up to 30 days at a time during the state of emergency, the bill also allows local select boards to extend town meeting business beyond the statutorily-mandated cutoff date of June 30. Communities that are unable to finalize a budget for the next fiscal year by June 30 will be allowed to continue operating using monthly interim budgets funded through free cash and other revenue accounts, with the approval of the director of local accounts at the Department of Revenue.
• Tennessee to give out $200M in grants to county, city governments for COVID-19 response
  • $200 million in grants will be distributed by the state to every county and city government across Tennessee, Governor Lee announced Monday.
  • Each county is expected to receive at least $500,000, with each city or municipality getting at least $30,000. The three Metro governments will receive one allocation. Funding will be based on population as published by the US Census Bureau.
  • The money may be used for one-time expenses related to COVID-19 like supply and equipment purchase, cleaning, emergency food and shelter programs or for needs related to road projects, I.T. upgrades, capital maintenance, utility system upgrades, and public safety projects. Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Gibson, Putnam, Smith, and Wilson counties may also use the funds for tornado relief efforts.
• State Rainy Day Funds and the COVID-19 Crisis
  • Shows state-by-state “rainy day fund” balances at the start of FY 2020
• Minnesota bracing for possible budget deficit because of COVID-19
  • Minnesota’s finance agency is bracing for a steep drop in tax revenues
• Oklahoma Senate approves measures stabilizing state budget
  • The current state budget experienced a revenue failure of approximately $416 million due to the ongoing pandemic
  • Legislature approved withdrawing $503.9 million from the Rainy Day Fund
• Missouri receives $13.6 million to support COVID-19 response efforts
  • Missouri Department of Economic Development announced that it will receive this money to support the State’s COVID-19 response efforts
  • The funding is provided by Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
• CDC announces additional $8 million to Illinois for COVID-19 response
  • The state of Illinois is set to receive an additional 8 million in funding in response to the coronavirus relief efforts with $6.7 million going to the state and $1.7 going to Chicago
• University of Missouri loses $36.5 million in state funding due to COVID-19
  • Missouri Governor Mike Parson is cutting the state’s budget to fight COVID-19, including a cut of $36.5 million for the University System.
• CDC's COVID-19 supplemental funding hits $871M: State-by-state analysis
  • HHS has released the amount of CDC Coronavirus preparedness and response supplemental funds each state has received, amounting to $871 million.
• Some cash-strapped states turn to election security funds to fight COVID-19
  • Several states— including the political battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as Rhode Island, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Alabama—are either now using or intend to use election security funds.
• Vermont requests federal disaster funding
  • Vermont has officially requested federal disaster funds to assist the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If granted, the disaster assistance provides a 75% reimbursement to state and local governments and some nonprofits for emergency protective measures.
• Senate Eyes More Pandemic Funds For Small Biz, Workers
  • Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell aims to approve more funding this week for the $350 billion small-business loan program.
  • Senate Democrats propose a $25,000 “Heroes Fund” for workers in the healthcare industry as well as grocery store clerks, truck drivers and mass transit employees. Proposal to include a $15,000 recruitment bonus to new health care providers, home health workers and first responders.
• Florida COVID-19: 11 percent of testing is positive, HHS announces more funding for states –
  • On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing upcoming action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide $186,000,000 in funding for additional resources to state and local jurisdictions in support of our nation’s response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
• CARES Act may not help states like Mississippi fill budget holes created by COVID-19 –
  • The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also called CARES, provides funds to states for expenses incurred fighting the virus, funds to hospitals that have faced additional costs, enhanced unemployment benefits, direct payments to most adult Americans and many other goodies to help fight the virus and to deal with the extreme economic slowdown created by the illness.

Technology

• (Austin, TX) Austin deploying IBM’s tech to share coronavirus info
  • The city will be one of 10 organizations using the company's new Watson Assistant for Citizens, to help communicate information about the virus. The service is now live and available for use through the city's website.
• Microsoft exec says coronavirus could spark big shift for AI in health care
  • The coronavirus pandemic could spur a serious increase in funding for artificial intelligence and ultimately make a big difference in our nation’s health care system.
• Coronavirus: Location-Tracking Apps Could Stop the Disease – Here's How

Higher Education

• Senators Seek Help For Student Loan Borrowers Left Out Of Coronavirus Relief Bill
  • Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and 10 other Democratic senators sent a series of letters to private student loan companies asking for help for borrowers of non-federal student loans.
• (Florida) Coronavirus Update: Florida Prepaid College Plan Payments Deferred For Three Months
  • Florida families who are enrolled in one of Florida’s Prepaid College Plans will have their payments deferred until July.
  • The deferred payment option will apply to all 26,000 families who have opened new Prepaid Plans since Open Enrollment began February 1st and to any existing enrollees who are still paying on their plans.
  • New enrollees will make their first payment on July 20 and have their $50 application fee waived.

K-12 Education

• Special Education and COVID-19 School Closures
  • The Department of Education released guidance in mid-March stating that as schools close for extended periods due to the pandemic, they must continue to provide FAPE to students with disabilities if distance education is provided for the general student population.
  • The guidance also notes that IEP teams may meet virtually when schools are closed, and any evaluations that are able to be conducted virtually can proceed, with parent consent.
  • States and districts could consider proactively creating guidelines for virtual IEP meetings and the possible implementation of provisional IEPs.
• Idaho schools vote to extend soft closure through end of year with local flexibility
  • The board's decision on Monday does leave local districts the option to call students back to class if they meet yet-to-be-decided criteria and public health officials give the OK.
• (Montana) Billings schools hoping to use federal cash to help close learning gaps after coronavirus closures
  • District 2 superintendent Greg Upham floated possibilities like an extended school day, summer school, or extra tutoring to help students who don't finish the year on track academically.
  • The federal money, part of at least $41 million Montana schools are getting from the $2 trillion CARES Act, will also fund more immediate budget needs, like cleaning supplies and copying and printing.
• (Washington) Coronavirus: Washington schools closed through rest of academic year, distance learning will continue
  • Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and state schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced Monday that due to the coronavirus outbreak schools will remain physically closed for the remainder of the school year and that the state’s more than 1.2 million public and private K-12 students will continue distance learning until the end of June.
  • Schools have been shut statewide since March 17, and were originally scheduled to reopen April 27. Now, that closure is extended until midnight June 19 — when the spring term ends.
• (Vermont) How Vermont families can use PBS to boost remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Vermont PBS and the state Agency of Education have partnered to broadcast free educational resources to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• (Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky) JCPS teachers prepare to make most of distance learning in midst of COVID-19 pandemic
  • JCPS has handed out 273,565 free meals since district schools stopped offering in-person instruction during the global COVID-19 pandemic, and each site now has physical copies of schoolwork for students who lack internet access at home.
  • JCPS has made available 25,000 Chromebooks and purchased more than 6,000 T-Mobile hotspots with unlimited data, the latter only being available to special education students for now.

Health Care

• Health care cybersecurity: new front in coronavirus battle
  • Health care professionals battling the coronavirus pandemic are also facing increased cyberattacks, which threaten to disrupt operations and broadcast disinformation.
• (Texas) Gov. Abbott feels ‘more confident now than I ever have’ on state’s medical supply chain as Texas responds to COVID-19
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that he is more confident than ever in the state’s supply chain as the state has seen a large increase in the number of delivered medical supplies.
• (Massachusetts) Coronavirus response: Gov. Charlie Baker says COVID-19 testing sites to launch in Lowell, West Springfield
  • Massachusetts will be opening two new COVID-19 testing sites in the state.
• (California) Gov. Newsom: State Making Progress To Meet Medical Site And Bed Goals For COVID-19 Surge
  • California Governor Gavin Newsome announced that the state is making progress on its goal to have 50,000 beds available by end of April for an expected mid-May surge in cases.

Social Services 

• Minnesota poised to expand workers' comp for first responders hit by COVID-19
  • Minnesota lawmakers are set to return to the State Capitol on Tuesday to vote on legislation that would expand workers’ compensation eligibility for police, health workers and other first responders who contract COVID-19.
  • Front-line workers, including firefighters, health care providers, paramedics and police, could qualify for benefits once they receive a positive COVID-19 lab test or diagnosis. Current law mandates workers prove that they contracted the virus on the job to obtain benefits. The bill creates a presumption that any coronavirus exposure was work-related, shifting the responsibility to employers to prove that an infection happened elsewhere.
• Aid to unemployed freelancers lags as California officials await federal guidance
  • Currently, there is no way for freelancers to apply for assistance unless they claim they were “misclassified” employees or had voluntarily paid into the Unemployment Insurance Program individually or through an employer, none of which is required under the new federal law
• (Alabama) Federal law strengthened SNAP amid COVID-19 pandemic, but benefit increase still needed
• New Jersey needs COBOL coders to fix ailing unemployment system
  • With many states finding that their unemployment systems are buckling under unprecedented demand, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy put out a call for programmers who know COBOL, the arcane programming language that New Jersey’s unemployment system runs on.
• Arizona Slow to Handle Unemployment Claims as 129,000 More People Sought Help Last Week
• (Orange County, California) COVID-19 update: In OC, children account for less than 1 percent of reported cases
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order intended to prioritize child care for essential workers, including health care professionals, emergency response personnel, law enforcement and grocery workers. The order gives the state Department of Education and the California Department of Social Services flexibility to waive certain programmatic and administrative requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Justice/Public Safety

• SC governor adds criminal penalties to COVID-19 orders
  • The Governor issued what he called a work-to-home order, adding fines and possible jail time to keep residents away from each other and from catching the coronavirus
• Dozens of California Prison Workers Have Tested Positive for Coronavirus:
  • 53 California prison workers have tested positive for COVID-19, as the corrections department is continuing to restrict movement within institutions and identify infected persons.
  • 17 inmates have tested positive although the department has ended in-person visits to inmates in addition to frequent deep-cleaning of common areas to prevent further transmission.
• (California) On streets emptied by COVID-19, LA officials crack down on speeding
  • With wide open roads in a normally heavily trafficked Los Angeles, speeding is up by as much as 30%. The city has made adjustments to light cycles as a result of the decreased traffic. Police are urging drivers to slow down and not take advantage of the current situation.
• Below we see more evidence of an increasing trend for first responders on the front lines to receive hazard pay while working during the pandemic:
  • (Michigan) Detroit, county considering hazard pay for front-line workers
  • (Alabama) Ala. city approves COVID-19 hazard pay for firefighters, police and COs
• (California) San Diego Courts Deploy Tech to Conduct Some Business Now
  • San Diego Superior Court has begun to hold virtual hearings and is looking to expand these services during the ongoing pandemic.

Transportation

• Post COVID-19 Fleet Initiatives to Focus on Cost Reduction & Utilization
  • As more people work from home during the pandemic, work from home is likely to persist and become more common after the pandemic slows and nears its end. It is theorized that this will have an impact on the size of fleets operated within various industries.
• March Truck Traffic Still Strong, says PrePass
  • Despite the current pandemic slowing and shutting down many businesses, commercial trucking remains strong. As one of the main sources of the overall supply chain, truck volume on the roads has stayed consistent and even increased in some areas of the country. This is due to the constant demand for products and specific items as people are advised to stay indoors.
• Automotive Fleet & AFLA Partner for COVID-19 Webinar
  • Automotive Fleet Magazine has partnered with the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) to host a webinar this Thursday April 9 at 2:00pm titled Real-World Best Practices, Solutions and Lessons Learned in Managing a Fleet During a Pandemic
• Transit agencies turn attention toward face coverings for operators and riders
• Agencies work to transport homeless populations to shelter as threat of COVID-19 intensifies
• (Michigan) MI: 300 layoffs ‘indefinitely postponed’ after Grand Rapids bus service offered federal relief

Public Utilities

• Oil Companies Are Collapsing, but Wind and Solar Energy Keep Growing
  • Analysts at Raymond James & Associates theorize that the decline in electricity usage in recent weeks will help renewables. Renewables cost little to operate and maintain compared to fossil fuel power plants. While renewables are likely to take a hit in the short term, the long term goal of more renewable energy usage is likely to win out, while a decline in fossil fuel usage is anticipated. This article goes in to more detail on this topic.

Other

• A collection of open source digital resources to help governments respond to the Coronavirus.
• Post-Coronavirus World Will See Increase in Working at Home