Tribal Governments Urge Congress To Provide New Coronavirus Relief Funds To: National Indian Gaming Association Member Tribes From: Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., Chairman Jason Giles, Executive Director Danielle Her Many Horses, Deputy Executive Director
Re:
SUPPORT $20 BILLION TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SET-ASIDE
Date:
July 31, 2020
At the time of passage of the CARES ACT on May 15 th , 2020, there were approximately 4.5 million positive COVID-19 cases worldwide. Today, in the United States alone, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases has reached 6.33 million with devastating impacts on our Tribal Governments and enterprises. For the near future, it seems there is no end in sight for the National COVID-19 Pandemic, other than a vaccine currently being developed that could potentially be ready nationwide by winter. Given this timeframe, this round of COVID-19 legislation is of utmost importance to Tribal Governments to ensure they can make it through the rest of the year. We encourage you to write to your Senators and Representatives and urge them to enact the next COVID-19 Bill and include the $20 Billion Tribal Government Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). We have provided a template letter at the end of this alert for your use. Please blind carbon copy to Dhermanyhorses@indiangmaing.org Summary of Coronavirus Relief Fund Negotiations-HEALS ACT On July 27, 2020, the Senate Republican Leadership introduced the HEALS ACT, their counterproposal to the House of Representatives’ HEROES Act. Notably, the HEALS Act does not provide any coronavirus relief funds paid directly to Tribal Governments. Below is a list of tribal provisions within the HEALS ACT: American Workers, Families, and Employers Assistance Act Coronavirus Relief Fund • Extends the end date for Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) use of funds to September 30, 2021. o The revenue shortfall period extends from March 1, 2020 to 90 days after the last day of a governments’ 2021 fiscal year. • Expands allowable uses of CRF funds to include coverage of revenue shortfalls. o Revenue shortfalls can only account for 25% of CRF funds. o “[R]evenue shortfalls,” means shortfalls of revenue from taxes, fees, or other sources of funds for a government relative to fiscal year 2019 levels.
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