WASHINGTON D.C.(WHTC-AM/FM) – Help for local governments whose bottom line are affected by the COVID 19 pandemic could be coming soon from Washington.
A group of bipartisan Congress members calling themselves “The Problem Solvers” has proposed the creation of a “State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition Fund” that would provide half a trillion dollars in emergency funding to every state, county and community across the nation, prioritizing assistance to areas with the greatest need.
According to Republican House Representative Fred Upton of St. Joseph, the determination of where the funds will go is based on what he calls “a fair formula.” “It’s based on population, COVID 19 expenses and lost revenue, and those three factors are in essence, it,” he said on “WHTC Morning News” during his weekly interview on Tuesday. “Two thirds of the money goes to the states, a third to the local governments, and we have safeguards there to make sure none of the money goes for past problems.”
Senators Robert Menendez and Bill Cassidy is championing the SMART Fund legislation in the Upper Chamber, and Upton added that his caucus is working with the White House and with groups of governors and county leaders on this initiative.
