GovWin SLED Coronavirus Recon

Word on the Street

(What our Analysts are hearing from government)

• (Illinois) The City of Chicago is focused on emergency contracts related to the COVID-19 response. They will continue to update the city’s buying plan, which is refreshed quarterly.

General 

• California, Oregon governors lay out framework to resume public life and business as coronavirus deaths soar
  • The governors of California and Oregon laid out a framework to resume public life and business.
• (Massachusetts) 'We are in the surge,' Gov. Charlie Baker says during Wednesday briefing
  • Massachusetts is currently in the surge of COVID-19 cases, but Governor Baker says the state is pretty well positioned to deal with it.
• Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Requiring All People in New York to Wear Masks or Face Coverings in Public
  • Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced he will issue an Executive Order requiring all people in New York to wear a mask or a face covering when out in public and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Gov. Hogan orders face masks in grocery stores, other public spaces in Maryland
  • Governor Larry Hogan announced an executive order requiring the wearing of masks or face coverings when inside retail establishments, grocery stores or when riding any form of public transportation in Maryland.
• Pa. will now require most customers to wear masks, workers to wear them on the job, to slow COVID-19 spread
  • Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order requiring most customers to wear masks while on the premises of all businesses that serve the public within a building or defined area. Employees will need to, as well.
• (Connecticut) As new COVID-19 deaths grow, Lamont considers executive order on masks
  • Governor Ned Lamont said Wednesday that he is considering an executive order spelling out when and where Connecticut residents should wear face masks in response to the ongoing pandemic.
• (Wisconsin) What the Wisconsin COVID-19 bill does and doesn't do
  • The bill makes it easier for the state and private businesses to respond to the virus by loosening restrictions and providing additional money for the state when federal dollars fall short
• (Colorado) From furloughs to hiring freezes: How metro-area governments are handling COVID-19 budget woes
  • In Denver, expenses like travel and vehicle purchases have been put on hold. Department cuts would be next.
  • Sales and use tax makes up $140 million of the $180 million shortfall. Part of the other $40 million comes from parking meters, parking fines and the lodgers tax. Another significant amount is from the city's occupational privilege tax.
• Kansas Chamber Releases Plan to Safely Restart State Economy
  • Striving to strike the balance between ensuring citizens’ health and safety and reigniting the state’s economy, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce has released more than 40 recommendations how best to do so. Highlighting the need for state and local officials to work together, the Chamber shared its Relief and Recovery Agenda reflecting health and economic data that represents all state-wide industries.
• Gov. Burgum Extends North Dakota Business Closures Through April 30
• Texas voters who fear catching the coronavirus can vote by mail, state judge rules
  • A state judge said Wednesday afternoon that all voters in Texas afraid of contracting COVID-19 through in-person voting should be allowed to vote by mail during the pandemic. State District Judge Tim Sulak of the 353rd District Court in Travis County said he will issue a temporary injunction allowing voters who fear catching the new coronavirus to qualify for mail-in voting through the disability clause in the state’s election code.

Funding & Economic Impact 

• (Hawaii) With tourism at a standstill, governor says he’s preparing for $1.5B in cuts to state’s budget
  • The governor says the shutdown of tourism is Hawaii will have a significant impact on the state’s budget — and could lead to up to $1.5 billion in cuts.
• Minnesota receives $1B from federal COVID-19 relief fund
  • Minnesota is expected to receive a total of $2.187 billion through the fund, with just a portion of that going to local units of government
• (Texas) Governor Abbott Announces $38 Million In Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funding For Local Governments
  • The Governor’s Public Safety Office will provide $38 million in federal funds to local units of government
  • Allowable projects and purchases include overtime, equipment, supplies, training, travel expenses, and addressing medical needs of inmates in local and tribal jails and detention centers
• LA County projects $2 billion loss in sales tax revenue from coronavirus – with vital programs taking biggest hit
  • Los Angeles County is on track for a $2 billion sales-tax hit through next year, with vital social programs at stake.
  • The county will see a 50% to 75% drop in sales-tax income from March through the end of the current fiscal year, and likely a 25% drop for the next.
• (FLORIDA) District 24 awarded over $92 million for COVID-19 relief
  • Colleges and universities in District 24 will receive $84,708,059 in emergency funding as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,
  • Funding will be distributed between five South Florida institutions: The following colleges and universities will receiving funds under the CARES (Act):Barry University; Broward College ; Florida Memorial University; Miami Dade College and St. Thomas University
• (CONNECTICUT) CT Congressional Delegation Announces $30 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funding for State Airports
  • Connecticut airports will be receiving $30 million in funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that will be used to offset the dramatic economic impact of COVID-19 on the aviation sector.
• (Illinois) Gov. J.B. Pritzker says state faces $2.7 billion revenue shortfall this year; up to $7.4 billion next year due to coronavirus
  • Gov. J.B. Pritzker provided a glimpse of the havoc the new coronavirus is unleashing on the state’s already precarious finances, starting with a projected shortfall of $2.7 billion for the budget year that ends June 30. To fill that hole, which is due in part to Pritzker’s decision to move the state’s income tax filing deadline from April to July to match a federal delay, the governor is authorizing up to $1.2 billion in short-term borrowing, which will need to repaid during the state’s next budget year.
• (New York City, New York) Facing Unprecedented Crisis, Mayor de Blasio Unveils Budget Plan that Protects New Yorkers by Prioritizing Health, Safety, Shelter and Access to Food
  • The $89.3 billion Executive Budget is balanced and was crafted in light of immense fiscal hardship. Facing a $7.4 billion tax revenue hit across FY20 and FY21, the Administration achieved an unprecedented level of savings and took down reserves. These actions reduced the budget by $3.4 billion, or 3.7%, compared to the FY20 Budget that was adopted in June 2019.
• (Virginia) Gov. Northam announces $70 million funding to expand access to child care during pandemic
  • The funding will provide additional ways to ensure the availability of child care services for essential workers, as well as providing cash assistance to child care providers

Procurement

• Detroit to renegotiate upcoming vendor contracts, halt demolitions amid coronavirus-era shortfall
  • The city of Detroit will be looking to renegotiate vendor contracts to save money as it deals with a major budget shortfall due to COVID-19.
  • Detroit's chief procurement officer, Boysie Jackson, is talking with "all of our major long-term vendors," CFO Dave Massaron said during the city's daily coronavirus response update.

Technology

• Self-driving technology may be used to prevent the spread COVID-19
  • Driverless technology may play a critical role in preventing the spread of viruses like COVID-19.
  • Autonomous shuttles in Florida, meant for people, are transporting COVID-19 tests instead, with no one operating the shuttle inside.
• GE Healthcare and Microsoft are bringing a COVID-19 patient monitoring tool to health systems
  • GE Healthcare is extending its longtime collaboration with Microsoft to launch a cloud-based COVID-19 patient monitoring software for health systems.

Higher Education

• (University of Illinois System) U of I System creates $36M financial aid fund
  • At least $36 million will be offered in new, targeted financial aid to help students within the U of I System. The Students FIRST (Funding Is Required to Support Tuition and other costs): COVID-19 Emergency Fund will help defray tuition, housing and other costs for undergraduate and graduate students experiencing unexpected shortfalls.

K-12 Education

• Coronavirus emergency aid for K-12 schools coming soon
  • Secretary DeVos’s letter to the governors stated that the emergency grants are “extraordinarily flexible,” and how the money is spent will not be micromanaged by the Department of Education. However, each governor is limited to one year to use the funds, and any funds not used must be returned to the Department for reallocation.
• (Chicago) Mayor Lightfoot, CPS To Provide Internet Access, Computers To All Students In Temporary Living Situations
  • K-12 Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) will receive an internet access device in addition to a computing device, which will be provided through the district’s larger device distribution strategy.
•  John Bel Edwards closes Louisiana schools for remainder of semester due to coronavirus
  • Gov. John Bel Edwards has officially signed a proclamation to close K-12 public school campuses for the remainder of the spring semester due to the coronavirus pandemic, he announced during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
• As de Blasio reduces NYC education spending, some schools may see bigger cuts than others
  • New York City education budget will see at least $221 million in proposed cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • De Blasio is suspending two programs that provide guidance and college counselors to middle and high school students, emphasizing that the city must focus on basic issues of food security and health care.
  • The largest cut of $100 million will come out of the City’s “fair student funding” formula, which finances school budgets and is meant to funnel more money to high-need schools.
• Utah schools, colleges to receive over $200M in federal COVID-19 education relief funding
  • Utah public schools will receive $67.8 million, with at least 90% to be granted to school districts and charter schools for a broad array of purposes. Those could include summer education programs for at-risk students, the purchase of educational technology or training employees how prevent the spread of infectious disease.
• LOWEY ANNOUNCES $164 MILLION TO NEW YORK STATE TO ADDRESS K-12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION COVID-19 NEEDS
  • New York’s focus of its portion of the Education Stabilization Fund is to support the continued education for K-12 and postsecondary students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The funding will help schools and colleges pay their teachers and staff, maintain their buildings, plan and implement summer learning, supplement afterschool programs, and support at-home learning so student learning stays on target.

Health Care

• Colorado releases data on COVID-19 outbreaks at nursing homes and jails
  • Colorado released information about confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks in healthcare centers, nursing homes and other facilities including JBS and the Weld County Jail.
• Nearly half of Colorado’s coronavirus deaths tied to residential health care facilities, state data shows
• Nearly half of Colorado’s deaths from COVID-19 are tied to residential health care facilities, according to newly released state data, and some residents and families are nervous that their nursing homes’ precautions aren’t enough to stop the virus’ continued spread.

Social Services 

• (Missouri) Social Services Operating Differently to Reach People in Need During Covid-19 Outbreak
  • Local charities in Missouri are adapting to be able to continue providing essential services to those in need.
• Delaware sees another 13K file for unemployment
  • The U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly update on claims showed that 13,272 initial claims were filed last week, adding to the more than 48,700 claims that had been filed in the first three weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.

Justice/Public Safety

• FirstNet reinforces COVID-19 test facilities, front-line health workers
  • FirstNet, the nationwide public safety wireless broadband network, is currently expanding their services to aid first responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Three months of free FirstNet services is also being offered to nurses and physicians.
• (New York) Schenectady Hopes Coronavirus Doesn’t Delay Smart City Plans
  • Schenectady, NY is short on funds to complete its Smart City that was planned for this year. As a result, and along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, officials are hesitant to continue forward with the plans.

Transportation

• APTA establishes COVID-19 recovery task force; publishes guide aimed at the safety of employees and riders
  • The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has released a guide titled, The COVID-19 Pandemic Public Transportation Responds: Safeguarding Riders and Employees. The guide provides strategies and tactical solutions that can help protect riders and employees from COVID-19, and aid in any future pandemic preparedness. APTA has also launched a new task force to help its members navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
• (Texas) Company Hopes to Launch Microtransit Service in Texas Town
  • After receiving a $9.6 million grant from the federal government as part of the CARES act, Lubbock, TX hopes to launch a microtransit service. The service would be an on-demand route to route service in smaller Citibus vehicle

Public Utilities

• Utility industry groups push for first responder status for workers amid COVID-19 crisis
  • The American Public Power Association (APPA), the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the industry group for investor owned utilities, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), all want electric utility workers to be designated as first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic.