This past weekend, the NC General Assembly signed 2 widespread bills (HB 1043 and SB 704) that will provide over $1.5 billion in relief during our current COVID-19 pandemic.
The bills are designed to provide financial relief to a wide spectrum of communities, organizations, and municipalities across our state.
Governor Cooper, who is expected to sign both bills soon, released the following statement about the bills:
“I applaud the General Assembly for working quickly to pass legislation to fight COVID-19 in North Carolina. These bills were developed collaboratively, and although it’s just a first step, they are the product of a consensus approach that I hope can continue. I will be reviewing them closely and look forward to taking action on them soon.”
Gov. Cooper’s statement on the legislature passing two COVID-19 relief bills: pic.twitter.com/jSsB6U0OyN
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) May 2, 2020
The bills will provide:
Over $280 million for educational organizations, with the following breakdown:
- $75 million for School Nutrition
- $70 million for Summer Learning Programs
- $11 million for K-12 Connectivity
- $30 million for K-12 Student Devices
- $10 million for Student Health
- $25 million for Community Colleges
- $44.4 million for UNC Flexibility Funding
- $20 million for Private College Assistance
$115 million for DHHS, with the following breakdown:
- $25 million for Testing, Tracing and Trends
- $20 million for Enhanced Public Health Capacity
- $20 million for Enhanced Behavioral Health
- $50 million for Rural and Underserved Communities
$27.5 million for Food, Safety, Shelter, Foster and Child Care
$25 million for Assisted Living Facilities
$85 million for the N.C. Medical School Research Fund, with the following breakdown:
- $29 million for UNC School of Public Health/NC Collaboratory
- $15 million for Duke University Human Vaccine Institute
- $15 million for ECU Brody School of Medicine
- $6 million for Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- $20 million for Wake Forest University Health Services
$95 million for North Carolina Hospitals, including the following breakdown:
- $65 million for Rural Hospitals
- $15 million for Teaching Hospitals Relief Fund
- $15 million for the General Hospital Relief Fund
$150 million for Local Government Assistance
$61.5 million for Providers and Emergency Responders, including the following breakdown:
- $50 million for Enhanced PPE and Sanitation Supplies
- $5 million for Association of Community Health Centers
- $1.5 million for Prescriptions for Indigent and Uninsured
- $5 million for Charitable Clinics
$125 million for Small Business Assistance Loans
$85 million for State Government Operations
$300 million for Transportation Operations
$5 million for Tourism Industry Support
$9 million for Broadband Connectivity
What do you think about all the assistance?
Do you think the money is being used wisely?