Governor Polis Calls on Congressional Delegation To Provide State & Local Funding & Relief to Coloradans in New Federal Stimulus Bill

DENVER - Governor Jared Polis today urged members of Colorado’s Congressional Delegation to ensure funding is provided to state and local governments in the new federal stimulus package Congress is considering. In the letter, Gov. Polis outlines requests for state and local aid, new investments in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), the RESTART Act, additional support for expanding testing and contact tracing, funding for educational challenges, and housing assistance. 

“As we are continuing our response and recovery from the economic impacts of this pandemic, we are now facing deep budget cuts to programs that are, now more than ever, critically important to millions of Coloradans who may be struggling to meet the daily needs of their lives. The continued uncertainty regarding the extension and funding of key federal programs for Coloradans is making many of our neighbors contemplate extremely difficult choices regarding their financial futures,” Governor Polis writes.  

“I support the call of the nonpartisan National Governors Association, and urge you to allocate at least $500 billion in direct and flexible relief to states, plus additional funding for local governments.  Together, this funding will make a profound impact on the state’s and local governments’ ability to offset revenue losses due to the impacts of COVID-19. It will assist the state and local governments to continue our response and recovery to ensure public health, education, safety, and get Coloradans back to work,” the letter continues.  

“In any upcoming stimulus package, I also encourage Congress to identify opportunities to temporarily waive state and local matching requirements for a number of federal grant and formula funded programs. This provides a no-cost opportunity to ensure federal dollars keep going out the door to vitally important uses, even at a time when state and local budgets are stretched to capacity,” the Governor writes. 

“Together, we can continue the ongoing and collaborative efforts to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and work to secure additional relief that will help Coloradans land back on their feet. My team and I stand ready to assist you in your efforts to secure assistance for all Coloradans during this difficult economic time,” writes Governor Polis. 

In the letter, the Governor thanked the Colorado’s Congressional Delegation for their ongoing partnership and continued to urge them to support critical funding that will provide economic relief to Coloradans.    

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