COVID-19 Resources for State Leaders
The Council of State Governments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2020
From CSG fellow Big 7 member, National Governors Association:
WASHINGTON – The seven leading organizations representing state and local governments at the federal level called on Congress to “immediately provide robust, flexible relief” to state, territorial and local governments as part an interim relief package for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading “State and Local Government Associations Urge ‘Robust, Flexible’ Federal Relief During Pandemic”Across the country, schools have started the transition to distance learning options in response to the widespread outbreak of COVID-19. All 50 states have taken measures to close all public elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools, and students are moving to online learning. As distance learning methods are established, educators and school administrators are being called upon to consider the 6.7 million public school students with disabilities who may face new challenges with these changes.
Continue reading “Ensuring Equitable Access for Students with Disabilities During the Transition to Distance Learning”By Vanessa Grossl, Policy Analyst, CSG Headquarters
The numbers of workers who participate in “alternative” work environments has risen substantially over the past decade. Millions of Americans are now considered “gig economy” workers, often utilizing technology to facilitate services or micro-tasks delivered on demand. Most of these workers file taxes using 1099 forms, making them traditionally ineligible for unemployment insurance programs in their states. However, under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, unemployment insurance benefits cover gig economy workers, and self-employed workers have also been deemed eligible to apply for business aid through Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA), which has faced criticism for an uneven distribution of the first $248 billion of coronavirus-relief loans.
Continue reading “Are Gig Economy Workers the Real Winners in the COVID-19 Era?”Following natural disasters and in times of national crisis, America’s private sector steps up to aid the states. We are proud of the herculean efforts of CSG Leadership Circle and Associates, our private sector members, as together we combat COVID-19.
In these unprecedented times, America’s biopharmaceutical companies are coming together to achieve one shared goal: to beat COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel strain of coronavirus. Companies are working to research and develop new vaccines and treatments, as well as to test existing medicines to help those infected with the virus.
Continue reading “CSG Associates in Action: America’s Pharmaceutical Industry Leads During COVID-19 Crisis”By Brandy Whisman, CSG Policy Analyst
States are leading the way in innovative ideas for supporting health care workers during the pandemic. The U.S. is experiencing a shortage in resources including front-line health care workers, testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE). States are responding to the shortage with outside of the box solutions.
Continue reading “States Identify Innovative Ways to Meet Needs During Pandemic”By Vanessa Grossl, CSG Policy Analyst
Summary
President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act, a law from 1950 to help fill gaps in needed supplies, such as additional N95 face masks, and to clear up supply-chain issues encountered in the manufacturing of ventilators. This order came in the form of a presidential memorandum, will help fight the COVID-19 outbreak in the states and gives the federal government more control during emergencies to direct industrial production.
Continue reading “Federal Response to COVID-19: Defense Production Act”By: Brandy Whisman, CSG Policy Analyst
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is beginning to distribute the initial $30 billion earmarked for providers in the CARES Act. The $30 billion is part of a total $100 billion relief fund to assist providers in health care related costs and lost revenue as a result of Covid-19. HHS is partnering with UnitedHealth Group to distribute the funds.
Continue reading “Federal Health Updates: The Week in Review”by Sean Slone, CSG Senior Policy Analyst
The unprecedented state and federal responses to the coronavirus pandemic have brought travel nearly to a halt over the last few weeks. The upheaval being experienced by transportation across all modes is now prompting many to consider whether some of the impacts could be more long-lasting than originally anticipated. Here’s a rundown of some recent items:
Continue reading “COVID-19 Bringing Short- and Long-Term Impacts to Transportation”By Jessica Kirby, The Council of State Governments D.C. Office
Summary
COVID-19 has brought about national and global challenges to gather enough medical staff, sanitation products and medical supplies to combat and treat the growing pandemic. While the number of cases has skyrocketed in larger cities, predictions show that rural America will likely have a delayed increase in the outbreak.
Continue reading “COVID-19 Impact on Rural America”By Andrew Bates, CSG Research Associate
As it has for the past 25 years, when disaster strikes in the U.S., the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) empowers its 55 member states and territories to share their emergency response resources and personnel across state lines to assist impacted communities.
Continue reading “COVID Pandemic: California Responds as EMAC States Confront a Novel Crisis”