RCRC strongly supports the Coronavirus Community Relief Act (Act), authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California). The Act would provide $250 billion in stabilization funds directly to counties and cities with a population of 500,000 or less that are struggling amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While the recently-enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provides direct funding to counties (and cities within) with populations in excess of 500,000, smaller counties are required to obtain allocations through the state. Counties, particularly low-population counties, are now facing enormous costs and are under immense fiscal strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without direct and immediate stabilization funding, it would be extremely difficult for these counites to continue providing vital county services. The Act ensures that all communities, regardless of size, receives direct stabilization funds to address the outbreak as well as recover once the pandemic has passed.
Furthermore, RCRC requested that any future legislation enacted in the coming weeks recognize that counties’ front-line activities (i.e. operating Public Health Departments, processing and relocating jail inmates, providing police services, and assisting with social services eligibility) are greatly impacted by the pandemic; thus, the overwhelming share of any subsequent low-population funding should be forwarded directly to counties.
RCRC’s support letter can be accessed here. To read more about Senator Feinstein’s bill and other ongoing advocacy efforts to respond to COVID-19, please visit Wednesday’s special edition of The Barbed Wire. For more information, Paul A. Smith, RCRC Senior Vice President Governmental Affairs, can be reached at (916) 447-4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.