Today, Rep. Tom Reed called on Governor Cuomo to give New York’s local governments access to the funds Congress had appropriated for them in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While the legislation was passed on March 27th, New York’s local governments have yet to receive critical aid for essential line items like expanded COVID testing, childcare support, community development, and education funding.
The letter was signed by more than 70 elected officials.
“New York State, under your direction, has failed to deploy and share these funds with local communities. If we are going to reopen our economy and move forward from this crisis, local communities should receive these funds immediately. There is no excuse. Our local counties, cities, towns and villages cannot wait any longer,” said Tom in the letter.
The letter is one part of Reed’s ongoing efforts to ensure local governments, their essential workers, and the people they serve are financially supported during the COVID crisis.
Last month, Reed led the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral SMART Act, which would provide localities with $500 billion in direct aid. Importantly, the bill is structured to ensure the aid localities receive is protected from Albany’s budgetary games.
Reed has also recently called on the Federal Reserve to give municipalities with smaller populations access to their Municipal Liquidity Facility. The text of that letter can be found here.
