Gov. Larry Hogan Ask Feds For $500B On Behalf Of States Struggling With COVID-19 Shortfall
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- On behalf of the National Governors Association, Gov. Larry Hogan and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo are asking the federal government for $500 billion to help states struggling with a budget shortfall due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to state comptroller Peter Franchot, Maryland is expected to see a $2.8 billion shortfall in the final quarter of this fiscal year.
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Hogan, the chairman of the NGA, and Cuomo, the vice chair, issued the following statement.
"Governors across the country are leading the on-the-ground response to the national COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a variety of stay at home orders and other aggressive measures that are successfully flattening the curve of the spread of the virus. While these public health strategies are working to protect the American people, they result in catastrophic damage to state economies.
"Despite this grave challenge, the recently passed federal CARES Act contained zero funding to offset these drastic state revenue shortfalls. To stabilize state budgets and to make sure states have the resources to battle the virus and provide the services the American people rely on, Congress must provide immediate fiscal assistance directly to all states.
"We must be allowed to use any state stabilization funds for replacement of lost revenue, and these funds should not be tied to only COVID-19 related expenses. Congress must amend the CARES Act to allow this flexibility for existing federal funding.
"Moreover, Congress must appropriate an additional $500 billion specifically for all states and territories to meet the states' budgetary shortfalls that have resulted from this unprecedented public health crisis. This critical stabilization funding for states must be separate from much needed fiscal stabilization for local governments.
"In the absence of unrestricted fiscal support of at least $500 billion from the federal government, states will have to confront the prospect of significant reductions to critically important services all across this country, hampering public health, the economic recovery, and—in turn—our collective effort to get people back to work."
CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:
In Baltimore city, officials say they will lose $103 million in revenue during fiscal year 2021 which starts on July 1. As a part of a plan to recoup the money, the city is mulling over several options, including furloughing or laying off many first responders.
In a statement from the Fraternal Order of Police, President Mike Mancuso said he's "furious and disgusted" by the plan, while the firefighters union said it was a "slap in the face."
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
