[Letterhead] July 28, 2020
[Addresses] Dear Senators and Representatives: Re: HEALS/HEROES Act; Tribal Government $20 Billion CRF Set-Aside; PPP; Infrastructure Dear Senators and Representatives: I write on behalf of the National Indian Gaming Association, with our 184 Member Tribes engaged in Tribal Government gaming to generate jobs and essential revenues for basic tribal government services. During this difficult time of the National COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, many Indian nations now suffer community spread of Coronavirus, an economic crisis, high unemployment, continuing shut-downs, and we have significant government revenue challenges. The National COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is a deadly crisis that continues to surge throughout the country, and we thank you for your efforts in CARES 3. We respectfully call on Congress to engage the full resources of the United States in the HEALS/HEROES Legislation to contain and stop the Coronavirus, and offset the economic catastrophe the Pandemic has created. State-Local-Tribal Government Coronavirus Relief Fund: In the HEALS/HEROES Legislation, we urge you to fully fund the State-Local-Tribal Government Coronavirus Relief Fund, including the full $20 Billion set-aside for Tribal Governments. Please extend the time for spending CRF funds for three years because it appears the Pandemic may continue until there is a COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccine has been nationally administered. The law must allow for some latitude for State-Local-Tribal Governments to make our own budget decisions to meet community needs and recognize the need to help State-Local- Tribal Governments with lost revenues. The Senate bill provides that 25% of CRF Funds can be used for lost Revenue and that should be increased to 100%. Tribal Government CRF Funds should be provided to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, 25 U.S.C. sec. 5130—5131. Paycheck Protection Program : We support the Senate’s effort to replenish and extend the Paycheck Protection Program, so that we can maintain our employees. Please maintain the employee threshold at under 500 employees because that is the true measure of small business. Municipal Bond Facility/Tribal Government Bonds : Concerning the Economic Stabilization Fund, we respectfully request that you extend the term of Tribal Government Bonds
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