Weekly Update: 4/6/20
California
The California Legislature will delay their return to the Capitol until May, citing guidance from Gov. Gavin Newsom and health officials who have urged continued vigilance (Politico).
:Newsom has already said this year will see a keep-the-lights-on budget in and he affirmed this week that a widely watched push to insure older undocumented immigrants is likely off for the year, in noting that reeling local governments have implored the state to “not impose upon them any mandate or dictate on high unless we are prepared to backfill”....
Hundreds of San Diego city employees are staying home today under what’s effectively a mayor-ordered unpaid furlough (Politico).
This Thursday, 4/9, Rep. Swalwell will be joined by Colleen Chawla, Director of the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, for a Facebook Live Q&A on the coronavirus….
President and Administration
The Trump Administration is compiling list of requests from government agencies totaling roughly $600 billion that includes additional state aid and financial assistance for mortgage markets and the travel industries….
“The IRS faces a major test of its resources this month, with the agency expected to start distributing stimulus payments to individuals and families under the third coronavirus-response package….
A prestigious scientific panel told the White House last week that research shows coronavirus can be spread not just by sneezes or coughs, but also just by talking, or possibly even just breathing….
The small business lending program got off to a rocky start on Friday, 4/4, as banks scrambled to figure out how to process a rush of eager applicants based on guidelines the Trump administration published just hours earlier….
Trump held a conference call with top officials from several professional sports leagues Saturday as organizations race to reschedule games and tournaments over the outbreak….
The Trump administration's fiscal 2021 budget request would result in $5.4 trillion larger deficits over the next decade than the White House originally estimated, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis released Monday, 3/30….
The Trump administration on Tuesday, 3/31, rolled back an Obama-era law that pushes automakers to produce more fuel efficient vehicles, severely limiting a rule designed to decrease pollution from transportation in the face of climate change….
Education
Secretary Devos said in the daily White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing on 3/27 that they are working with Congress on solutions to help students and teachers during this crisis….
On Wednesday, 4/1, Secretary DeVos proposed new rules to govern distance learning for higher education students….
The Education Department rolled out additional guidance to help colleges and universities navigate potential changes in federal student aid eligibility amid the coronavirus….
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today new flexibilities for career and technical education (CTE) leaders who are required to submit their local CTE plan for FY 2020-2023 under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) by April 15, 2020….
Congress
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said in a letter to fellow House lawmakers on Saturday, 4/4, that she wants to bring a fourth coronavirus relief package to the floor by the end of this month….
An effort to repeal the limit on State and Local Taxes (SALT) is gaining steam as Congress considers Phase 4 Stimulus. The Speaker (who is proposing retroactive rollback), as well as others from states experiencing significant COVID-19 impact are behind the effort.
In a letter to congressional leaders, senators expressed ‘disappointment with the lack of funding dedicated for distance learning’ in the recently signed $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package, H.R. 748, as battle lines over a potential Phase 4 stimulus take shape….
Elections
With no campaign events to headline and the public’s attention consumed by the pandemic, Joe Biden is struggling to stay relevant and acknowledging frustration at being on the sidelines of a national crisis….