For Immediate Release:
Contact: Chris Nordstrum
(415) 601-1992
Chris.Nordstrum@nmlegis.gov
May 4, 2020
(Santa Fe) —Today, New Mexico Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen signed a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to provide stabilization funds for local communities, cities and towns across the United States that are struggling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, signed into law on March 27th, provided $150 billion in stabilization funds for states and larger communities, but capped localities able to receive direct support at those with populations of over 500,000. States across the country continue to spend billions in order to meet the COVID-19 response while seeing falling revenues.
“State and local governments are on the front lines in combating COVID-19 and protecting our citizens. The health crisis we’re in has been devastating and has taken a tremendous toll on New Mexicans statewide, but it’s been particularly hard on our Native American communities in the northwest region of the state,” said Senator Papen. “The ensuing economic hardship in front of us is unlike any challenge we’ve faced in decades, and we’ll need every economic tool in the toolbox to make the state whole again. But every state is different and has unique needs. Additional funding giving state and local community leaders the flexibility and discretion to apply monies where most desperately needed is what we are asking for today. I am proud to join my fellow presiding officers to ask Congress to provide this much-needed funding for our states and cities.”
“Communities across the country are struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson. “Our states have lost billions of dollars in revenues and are looking at massive budget cuts to essential services including our first responders, our education systems and our human services. We need Congress to step in so that we have flexibility in meeting the needs of our citizens and rebuilding our economies after this health crisis has passed.”
The letter is signed by presiding officers from 16 states and territories.
See the letter (HERE)
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