GovWin SLED Weekly Coronavirus Recon

General

• (Michigan) Whitmer extends state of emergency to Aug. 11
  • Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has extended the state of emergency order to end at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 11. The state of emergency, originally anticipated to end July 16, was extended in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
• (Minnesota) Gov. Walz extends COVID-19 peacetime emergency
  • Following the advice of public health experts, Gov. Tim Walz today signed extended the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to rapidly-evolving issues stemming from COVID-19. Including Minnesota, 49 out of 50 states remain in a COVID-19 state of emergency.
• (Texas) Gov. Greg Abbott warns if spread of COVID-19 doesn’t slow, “the next step would have to be a lockdown”
  • With Texas continuing to break records for new coronavirus deaths and hospitalizations this week, Gov. Greg Abbott reiterated Friday afternoon that things will continue to get worse. And if people keep flouting his new statewide mask mandate, he said, the next step could be another economic lockdown.
• As economy falters, Alabama Gov. Ivey creates innovation commission
  • As state officials attempt to balance a spike in COVID-19 cases with the economic effects of new safety requirements, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a new statewide commission designed to promote entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Georgia governor urges people to wear masks but opposes a mandate
  • Georgia Governor Brian Kemp urged all people in his state to wear masks for four weeks to halt the spread of the coronavirus but refused to back down on his position banning state and local authorities from mandating the wearing of masks.
• Pandemic-hit Arizona, Texas counties order coolers, refrigerated trucks for bodies
  • Arizona and Texas counties hit hard by COVID-19 are ordering coolers and refrigerated trailers to store bodies as their morgues fill up, authorities said.
• Florida Governor DeSantis Says He Won't Be Following Georgia in Overriding Local Mask Orders
  • When it comes to wearing masks, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis plans to keep the decision-making power in the hands of local leaders.

Funding & Economic Impact

• Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board Passes $9+ Million Coronavirus Relief Package For Venues
  • On Tuesday, The Joint Emergency Board of the Oregon State Legislature voted overwhelmingly to earmark $50 million in federal funds for distribution to organizations within the state’s arts and culture community struggling in the wake of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Oregonian reports more than $9.6 million of the package will be split amongst 78 independent venues across the state
• Murphy hints tax hikes in New Jersey are likely because of coronavirus
  • Gov. Phil Murphy has hinted in recent days that tax hikes and other “revenue raisers” will be necessary in New Jersey to help the state government recover from billions in lost tax dollars thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
• State, local governments wrestle over quickly dwindling coronavirus aid, complicating talks on next federal bill
  • A $150 billion federal program designed to help states, cities and counties respond to the coronavirus pandemic has pitted some governments against one another, forcing them to scrap over the fast-dwindling, limited aid.
• State, local governments look to raise taxes after coronavirus shutdowns
  • After state and local government leaders shut down large portions of their local economies to thwart the spread of the coronavirus, putting millions of people out of work, some are now looking to raise taxes to fill budget shortfalls.
• Billions in federal COVID-19 aid spreads in Iowa
  • Officials with the Legislative Services Agency reported Wednesday that state agencies had recorded federal awards totaling $2.896 billion as of last week to address a wide variety of expenses related to the outbreak — including $1.25 billion the state received in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 20.
• Gov. Murphy Signs NJ's $9.9 Billion Borrowing Plan To Get Through COVID-19 Crisis
  • Governor Murphy signed a measure authorizing the state to borrow up to $9.9 billion to plug a massive revenue shortfall resulting from the pandemic-induced lockdown.
• (Florida) COVID doesn't shrink Miami-Dade's budget: Spending and staffing up for 2021
  • Miami-Dade is freezing hiring and projecting long-term deficits, but the coronavirus won't stop county spending from topping $9 billion in 2021 or prevent the work force from growing slightly, according to the budget proposal from Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
• (Pennsylvania) Wolf announces funding to provide temp. $3/hour pay raise for eligible front line workers
  • Gov. Tom Wolf announced $50 million in grant funding to provide hazard pay to employees in “life-sustaining occupations” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The funding may provide a $3 per hour pay increase or $1,200 to eligible employees, who make less than $20 per hour, over a 10-week period, Wolf says.
• (South Dakota) Gov. Kristi Noem announces state ended 2020 fiscal year with $19.1 million surplus
  • South Dakota ended the 2020 fiscal year with a $19.1 million surplus, Gov. Kristi Noem announced.
  • The state's total revenue was $7.9 million lower than projected for the 2020 fiscal year, which ended on June 30. However, the state's expenditures for 2020 were $27.2 lower than budgeted, according to Noem's announcement. The state spent $74.8 million in federal coronavirus funding during the 2020 fiscal year.
• Some West Virginia lawmakers want a say in how the state’s federal COVID-19 funding is spent
  • West Virginia is sitting on $1.25 billion from Washington for COVID-19 relief and some state legislators want a say in how it is spent.
• Massachusetts $1.1 billion coronavirus pandemic spending bill sent to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk
  • The approximately $1.1 billion COVID-19 spending bill sent to Gov. Charlie Baker directs money toward a wide slate of programs and organizations, including the health care system, homelessness prevention, child care providers, elections, food banks, addiction treatment services and more.
• (Kansas) Governor Kelly Announces More Than $6 Million in Federal Funding to Respond to Coronavirus
  • Governor Laura Kelly has announced $6,202,603 in grant awards to state and local jurisdictions in preventing, preparing for and responding to the coronavirus, as well as funds to support families impacted by domestic violence.
• As pandemic surges, Congress pressed to take up new stimulus bill that would send billions of dollars to individuals, states
  • The next, and possibly final, massive federal stimulus bill may send another $1,200 check to most Americans and give cash-strapped states more money – although that infusion likely won’t be as much as the states want.
• Missouri receives $15 million in CARES Act funding to help rebuild tourism industry
  • Missouri’s governor announced $15 million in grant funding to help rebuild Missouri’s tourism industry, which has been hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Higher Education

• (Illinois) Gov. Pritzker Announces $108.5 Million COVID Funding for PreK-12, Higher Education with Equity Focus
  • Governor JB Pritzker has announced that he will dedicate $108.5 million in federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds to preK-12 public education and institutions of higher education to meet the unique challenges of COVID-19. This funding will help bridge the digital divide, protect the health and safety of students, and overcome barriers created by COVID-19, in order to ensure all students receive a quality education.
• (Tennessee) Gov. Lee Announces $81 million in Coronavirus Relief Grants for K-12 and Higher Education Institutions
  • Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group recently announced $81 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funding is available through grants for K-12 schools and higher education institutions to assist with plans for safe reopening.
• (Illinois) Single rooms, meals to go, required COVID-19 testing: Illinois colleges plan students’ return to campus
  • Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave permission for them — as well as K-12 schools and community colleges — to reopen this fall if they follow state guidelines that include mandatory face masks, social distancing and monitoring students’ symptoms.
  • Most college campuses plan at least some face-to-face classes, with many courses at least partially or completely online.
• Guidance issued for Ohio’s institutions of higher education
  • Gov. Mike DeWine has announced the release of guidance for institutions of higher learning across the state, following a collaborative effort between Ohio’s colleges and universities, as well as the likes of the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and health experts.
• New funding for businesses, colleges announced as New Hampshire COVID-19 numbers remain low
  • The governor said $19 million of federal funds will be available to the state's university system to help buy testing supplies, personal protective equipment and other things needed as students prepare to return to campus this fall.
• UVA to require a negative COVID-19 before students can return
  • All University of Virginia students will have to submit a negative COVID-19 test and quarantine for 14 days before returning to Charlottesville for the start of classes next month, the school said in a release Thursday.

K-12 Education

• (California) In new guidance, Gov. Newsom expected to impose strict regulations for school opening and closing
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce Friday that all public and private schools in California counties on the state’s monitoring list for rising coronavirus infections would be required to close for in-class instruction and meet strict criteria in order to reopen.
• Los Angeles public schools to offer classes online only amid surge of coronavirus cases
  • The superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District announced that students will not return to the classroom when the fall semester begins next month because of the surge in coronavirus cases across Southern California
• Here’s what Michigan school districts have planned for the fall amid the pandemic
  • The Return to School Roadmap requires all school districts to develop learning plans for the six coronavirus phases identified under the MI Safe Start Plan.
  • Most of the state is currently in “Phase 4″ of the plan, meaning that in-person instruction will be allowed but with a number of restrictions in place to ensure safety.
• Kansas Governor Says She'll Delay Reopening of K-12 Schools
  • Kansas' governor said she would delay the reopening of the state's K-12 schools for nearly a month until after Labor Day because of a resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that's not under control.
• COVID-19 Latest: Austin Public Health Orders K-12 Schools To Delay In-Person Classes
  • Dr. Mark Escott, interim health authority for Austin-Travis County, has ordered all public and private schools that teach pre-kindergarten through 12th grade not to open for in-person instruction until after Sept. 7. Virtual instruction can continue.
• (Nebraska) Teachers union releases statement on possible reopening of schools
  • In mid-June, LPS announced it plans to have all students return to class on August 12. The district stated it will operate based on the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department’s risk dial, which ranges from red (severe risk of COVID-19 spread) to green (low risk of COVID-19 spread). Currently, the risk dial sits in the orange range, the second-highest category.
  • LPS’ initial plan adds and reduces restrictions based on where the risk dial is at. If it is in the red, all buildings are closed and remote learning takes place. In orange, students in K-8 will attend in person, however grades 9-12 may have to reduce the number of students in buildings at one time if distancing can’t be achieved.
• Reopening New Jersey: Governor Murphy lays out school reopening plan
  • New Jersey unveiled its guidance for school reopening in the fall. Governor Phil Murphy said, that schools will be "open in some capacity," but that there was no one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Each district will be expected to develop, in collaboration with community stakeholders, a plan to reopen schools in the fall that best fits the district's local needs.
• (Alabama) In response to COVID-19, K-12 system spending $12.4 million on statewide virtual option
  • The Alabama State Department of Education will spend about $12.48 million for a private company to provide a statewide virtual learning option in the upcoming school year.
  • The one-year contract with Arizona-based SchoolPLP will be paid with federal coronavirus relief funds
• NC schools will reopen in August, with restrictions. Here’s the plan from Gov. Cooper.
  • K-12 public schools will reopen under a “moderate social distancing” plan that limits how many people can be on campus. The plan requires daily temperature checks and health screening checks, maintaining 6 feet of social distancing and face coverings to be worn by all school employees and students.
• (California) San Francisco Unified School District will welcome students back this fall strictly online
  • San Francisco Unified School District announced it’s joining the Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified School Districts by welcoming students back this fall strictly online.
• Montana schools to get $75 million in state COVID funding
  • Montana schools will get $75 million from Montana's coronavirus relief fund to implement COVID-19 precautions.
  • The new money will be distributed to schools using an enrollment-based formula, while an “additional amount" will also go to private schools.
• Many N.J. students lack computers, internet for remote schooling. A new state plan would bridge that gap.
  • Gov. Phil Murphy and state lawmakers announced a $115 million plan to make sure all New Jersey students have online access and devices to learn at home, using a mixture federal funds, philanthropic donations, and state coronavirus relief money.
• (Massachusetts) Baker Announces $16.1 Million In Relief Funding For Special Education Residential Schools
  • Massachusetts is providing $16.1 million in relief funding to special education residential schools, Gov. Charlie Baker announced.
• Illinois governor announces $108.5 million in COVID-19 funding for schools
  • Gov. JB Pritzker announced that he will dedicate $108.5 million in federal Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds to preK-12 public education and institutions of higher education to meet the unique challenges of COVID-19.
• Gov. Kelly To Issue Executive Order To Delay Kansas School Openings Until After Labor Day
  • Gov. Laura Kelly said she is issuing an executive order to delay the opening of Kansas schools until after the Labor Day holiday. The three additional three weeks will be utilized to gather necessary COVID-19 mitigation supplies.

Health Care

• Covid-19 Is Making It Harder For Women And Children To Access Vital Health Care Services
  • Mothers, newborns, young children and adolescents are losing 20% of their health and social services because of the pandemic, according to a new report from a panel senior global health experts.
• FCC Completes COVID-19 Telehealth Program Funding, Plans for Review
  • With the last of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program awards handed out, the Federal Communications Commission is ready to review the $200 million program's effectiveness and move on to the Connected Care Pilot.
• A Record 5.4 Million Americans Have Lost Health Insurance, Study Finds
  • The coronavirus pandemic stripped an estimated 5.4 million Americans of their health insurance between February and May, a stretch in which more adults became uninsured because of job losses than have ever lost coverage in a single year, according to a new analysis.
• Utah spending millions on COVID-19 app though offer for free tracing still stands
  • The app, called Distancing, would use device-to-device Bluetooth to alert users when they came within 6 feet of each other. The software could also be used to help health officials track individual infections of COVID-19, if enough people used the app.
•  (Wisconsin) UW Health patients to test antibody drug for COVID-19
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was awarded $450 million to manufacture a drug that could potentially treat and prevent COVID-19.

Social Services 

• Maryland uncovers scheme involving $501M in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, Hogan says
  • Maryland has uncovered an illegal scheme involving more than 47,500 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims totaling more than $501 million, Gov. Larry Hogan announced.
• (Wyoming) IN BUDGET TALKS, GOV HIGHLIGHTS CUTS TO PROGRAMS FOR VULNERABLE
  • Programs to help Wyoming’s elderly, poor, incarcerated, addicted and mentally ill will all see budget reductions, with 10% cuts to most government agencies.
• Missouri social services see most job cuts due to pandemic
  • Missouri state officials said they will eliminate a total of nearly 500 state jobs, 200 of them will be cut from the Department of Social Services, including from the Children’s Division.
• (Louisiana) Nearly $11 million in funding awarded to child care providers impacted by coronavirus crisis
  • The Louisiana Department of Education announced it would award nearly $11 million in federal funding to child care providers in a third round of grants to offset the financial impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Justice/Public Safety

• Public Safety Drone Survey Addresses COVID, Data Security
  • A groundbreaking survey of public safety agencies reveals new data about the use of drones during the COVID crisis and data security concerns surrounding their current UAV programs.

Transportation

•  (Pennsylvania) SEPTA, NJ Transit join agencies asking feds for $36B more in coronavirus aid
  • Transit service cuts could loom if a request for $36 billion more in federal aid to help agencies across the nation deal with reduced ridership and revenue due to the coronavirus, is denied, transit agency leaders warned.
• House Appropriations Committee approves FY21 THUD bill; full House consideration expected next week
  • The bill heads to the House with a face covering mandate for airlines, Amtrak and larger transit agencies.
• (Nevada) RTC of Washoe County installs mask dispensers on buses
  • The mask dispensers is one of the proactive steps being taken to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus and ensure compliance with the Nevada governor's face covering directive.
• (Washington) Sound Transit seeks more federal funding to offset COVID-19 losses
  • Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff participated in a virtual rally with other national transit leaders who are calling for the next COVID-19 federal relief package to provide funds for enabling transit to play a critical role in economic recovery.

Public Utilities

• Duke, AEP, FirstEnergy tell FERC future COVID-19 uncertainty presents 'significant risk'
  • Threats to utility credit and capital have yet to emerge, but investor-owned utilities and pipeline companies are still urging federal regulators to consider potential long-term capital risks from COVID-19.
• Solar VC funding down 74% in H1 2020 amid COVID-19 impacts: Mercom
  • Venture capital funding in the global solar sector plummeted in the first half of the year, yielding $210 million in deals compared to $799 million during the first half of 2019, according to clean energy consulting firm Mercom Capital Group.

Community Development/Housing

• (Minnesota) Gov. Walz Announces $100M In Housing Assistance Before Sept. 1 Rent Is Due
  • The $100 million funding is designed to kick in and help people pay their September 1 rent which will be the first rent check due after the loss of the $600 per week in federal funding that's been added onto Minnesotans' unemployment benefits. Local grant administrators will be selected in the coming weeks and it is advised that Minnesotans should be able to start applying for assistance in the first part of August.