Texas has $2 billion in COVID relief funds left to spend. Advocacy groups are anxiously watching
4 years, 3 months ago

Texas has $2 billion in COVID relief funds left to spend. Advocacy groups are anxiously watching

Salon  

In March, the U.S. Department of the Treasury assigned $11.24 billion to local and state governments in Texas. "Governor Abbott has worked closely with legislative leaders and state agencies to allocate $6 billion so far, including an estimated $1.6 billion for and to fund the state's response through the end of the year," said Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Gov. "With $2 billion remaining of the original funding, the state will spend every dollar by the end of the year to ensure the health and well-being of all Texans." "It's a very cost-efficient way — keeps down food waste and it serves the needs of a lot of hungry people," Miller said in an interview Tuesday, who added he hasn't heard from Abbott's office yet. "Our state's leaders have to prioritize providing people who need help with direct cash assistance to pay the rent, pay the mortgage, pay the light bill and put food on the table," said Christina Rosales, deputy director of Texas Housers.

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History of this topic

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters
2 years, 2 months ago

Federal COVID aid OK’d to pay for roads, natural disasters

Associated Press  

— State and local governments will soon gain new flexibility to spend billions of federal coronavirus relief dollars on things not directly related to the pandemic, including new roads and bridges and aid to people affected by wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. The broadened spending authority for the previously approved pandemic aid was one of many of provisions wrapped …

Treasury to start paying out $350B in state and local aid
3 years, 10 months ago

Treasury to start paying out $350B in state and local aid

Associated Press  

The Treasury Department on Monday launched its $350 billion program to distribute aid to state and local governments, giving the U.S. economy an added boost as President Joe Biden sought to assure the country that stronger growth is coming. Administration officials said payments could begin to go out in the coming days to eligible governments, allowing state, local, territorial and …

US Treasury launches $350BN in state, local COVID aid
3 years, 10 months ago

US Treasury launches $350BN in state, local COVID aid

Al Jazeera  

The funds can be used by state, local, tribal and territorial governments to offer aid to unemployed workers and hard-hit communities and premium pay to essential workers. The United States Department of the Treasury launched access to $350bn in COVID-19 aid for state, local, tribal and territorial governments on Monday, releasing rules for allowable uses and a prohibition on tax …

States pass their own virus aid, not waiting on Washington
4 years, 1 month ago

States pass their own virus aid, not waiting on Washington

Associated Press  

— Not waiting for more federal help, states have been approving their own coronavirus aid packages, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to help residents and business owners devastated by the the pandemic’s economic fallout. “It’s great news that states are doing well, many seeing revenues higher than projected, and are able to help their citizens during this pandemic,” he …

Pandemic leaves Texas with $1B deficit as virus still surges
4 years, 2 months ago

Pandemic leaves Texas with $1B deficit as virus still surges

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The coronavirus pandemic has created a nearly $1 billion deficit in the Texas state budget as the nation’s energy hub remains hampered by a slow recovery and a half-million fewer jobs than a year ago. At least two Democratic lawmakers announced they would not attend Tuesday’s opening ceremonies due to the record high of infections, including Rep. …

Local officials, Texas governor at odds over Harvey help
6 years, 10 months ago

Local officials, Texas governor at odds over Harvey help

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — Tensions between many Texas cities and counties and Gov. Greg Abbott over the use of the state’s $11 billion rainy day fund to pay for costs associated with Hurricane Harvey resurfaced Wednesday after a group of local officials sent a letter to the governor asking for money. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who was among the nearly 60 leaders …

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Harvey damage testing Texas infrastructure
7 years, 6 months ago

WHAT’S HAPPENING: Harvey damage testing Texas infrastructure

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — The damage Harvey wrought on Texas is testing the state’s infrastructure like never before, challenging regulators, politicians and others on several fronts in the hurricane’s aftermath. A look at what’s happening: DIRTY WATER Experts say wastewater treatment plants sprawled across Houston and Southeast Texas are facing unprecedented challenges, with ramifications for human safety and the environment well after …

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