Emergency Board to allocate more than $30 million in coronavirus response funding
SALEM, Ore. – The legislative Emergency Board will convene a virtual meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday to allocate more than $30 million in emergency funding to support Oregonians in need of relief due to the coronavirus global pandemic.
Funds will be dedicated to support workers and small businesses, as well as provide housing assistance to vulnerable Oregonians. Additionally, the Emergency Board will increase federal spending limits to access relief in the CARES Act.
Below is a more detailed breakdown of what the Emergency Board funding will include:
- $12 million – Safe Shelter and Rental Assistance
- Rental assistance and safe shelter alternatives for individuals who have lost income due to COVID-19 and shelter for individuals at risk of infection or health problems due to inadequate shelter or housing.
- $10 million – Oregon Worker Relief Fund
- Payments to workers ineligible for wage replacement payments from traditional unemployment insurance programs or unable to qualify for unemployment benefits due to immigration status.
- $10 million* – Small Business Assistance
- Establishes an assistance program for small businesses with no more than 25 employees impacted by COVID-19 economic restrictions that have not received support from the federal CARES Act. *The $10 million small business assistance program will include $5 million from the Emergency Fund matched with $5 million from existing funds in the executive branch’s Business, Innovation and Trade Division.
- $2 million – Domestic Violence Housing Support
- Emergency housing for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Full details of the Emergency Board meeting are available here.
The Capitol Building is currently closed to the public. The meeting will be held online and streamed live, which can be accessed from the OLIS Emergency Board page at this link: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019I1/Committees/EB/Overview
Local News:
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby and 350 Oregon Central Coast organizations are sponsoring a virtual video/audio public event you can stream live tomorrow April 22nd from 7:00 to 9:30 pm on Zoom. It will feature 22 local musicians, elected officials, and environmental/nonprofit organizations. Senator Roblan is featured. At the bottom of the article, there are links to view the celebration.
Executive Branch:
- The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis worked with ODOT on Oregonians Staying Home and Driving Less.
- OHA announced new testing guidelines, and a prioritization of under-served populations and all front-line workers.
- OHA has been putting out more information in Spanish, including informational videos as well as an OHA en espanol FB page. OHA is also working to help folks on OHP learn about tele health. Text from their page:
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Governor Brown put out a release calling on Congress to support Oregon's priorities and critical needs in upcoming federal relief and economic recovery packages.
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Governor Brown Announces Rapid Distribution of PPE to Long-Term Care Facilities by Oregon National Guard: Governor Kate Brown on Monday announced that the Oregon National Guard will distribute approximately 395,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to all long-term care facilities across Oregon. Read the news release.
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The Western Governors Association is hosting a series of webinars focusing on how rural communities are affected by and responding to COVID-19. Webinars include “COVID-19 Impacts and Mitigation in Rural Communities” on April 23, “Rural Health Response to COVID-19” on April 24 and “COVID-19 Cybersecurity Threats and Best Practices” on May 5.
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OHA revises testing guidelines to prioritize underserved populations and all frontline workers, allows testing for people without symptoms: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on Monday night revised guidelines for COVID-19 testing to prioritize impacted populations and all frontline workers. The guidelines continue to allow healthcare providers to make clinical decisions about their patients. Read more.
 Medical:
Like other health coverage plans, Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members can get care during the COVID-19 emergency without leaving their home.
Members can make telehealth appointments for medical, mental health, addictions treatment, and dental care. Members should talk to their health care provider about their options.
If you’re an OHP member or serve OHP members, help us get the word out about telehealth by sharing this graphic.
Resources:
State of Oregon – Governor Kate Brown
Health Updates – Oregon Health Authority
Student and Family – Oregon Department of Education
Child Care for Providers and Families – Oregon Early Learning Division
Business Layoffs, Closures and Unemployment Information – Oregon Employment Department
Business Resources and Information – Business Oregon
Oregon’s Small Business Resource Navigator – Business Oregon
Small Business Guidance – US Small Business Administration (SBA)
Tourism Industry Resources and Updates – Travel Oregon
Restaurant and Lodging Industry – Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association
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