Phase 4 Stimulus Bill
On March 27, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law. Thank you for all your advocacy efforts around this package.
Gettysburg Borough is concerned that the CARES Act, and the Coronavirus Relief Fund authorized under the bill, does not address the necessary increases in spending, or the unavoidable shortfall in revenues, faced by the vast majority of local governments. It is appropriate and necessary for Congress to approve emergency appropriations for direct local budget relief for every city and town, not only for those over 500,000 in population as in the CARES Act, or for entitlement cities over 50,000 as is the case for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) formula grants.
The National League of Cities sent a letter to House and Senate leadership to advance a fourth emergency appropriations package to address the immediate need for local budget relief by making direct emergency funding available to every city and town in need, regardless of population. The letter can be accessed here.
Gettysburg Borough calls on Congress to include:
- Direct supports for local governments
- Infrastructure measures to quicken economic stabilization and recovery efforts
- Measures to expand opportunities for job security, economic mobility, and the health and well-being of our residents
Additionally, Gettysburg has been made aware that the Treasury is developing guidance NOW around the term “necessary expenditures” related to how cities can use Coronavirus Relief Funds. Please reach out to Treasury NOW to make sure Gettysburg's voice is heard. The Borough needs the most flexible interpretation possible. Treasury’s Inspector General will conduct an audit, and Gettysburg does not want to be in a position to repay funds because expenditures were deemed not “necessary.” It is important that our voices get heard on this critical issue so that we are provided with maximum flexibility on how to use allocated funds.
Please take action by:
- Sending a tweet to your members of Congress or reaching out to them directly via phone or email with NLC’s letter.
- Sending a tweet to Sec. Mnuchin.