Summary
With a torrent of congressional action to assist individuals, governments, and companies in responding to the coronavirus epidemic, the dedicated funding provided to state and local governments can get lost in the shuffle. FFIS is working to prepare state estimates for many grant programs that have received funding. In the meantime, this brief provides a summary of state and local funding in three legislative vehicles:
- The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 116-123), which provided about $8 billion focused on public health, including at least $1.05 billion for state and local governments. See Budget Brief 20-09 and Issue Brief 20-05 for details.
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127), which addressed Medicaid matching rates, nutrition assistance, unemployment insurance, paid sick and family leave, and diagnostic testing costs. See Budget Brief 20-10 for details.
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748), which provides an estimated $2 trillion in assistance, including direct appropriations for a host of state grant programs; a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund for states (described in Budget Brief 20-11); stimulus checks for taxpayers; unemployment insurance enhancements; and assistance for businesses and certain sectors, including health care. The bill has passed the House and Senate.
Table 1 at the end of this brief lists selected grant funding in these bills and indicates which of the bills provided funding. The table focuses on the programs receiving a direct appropriation. Forthcoming state estimates will include as many of the programs as possible. To a large degree, these will be the formula grant programs.