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Counties renew call for federal funding in response to report warning millions of jobs may be lost without further stimulus

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Fri, Jun 26th 2020 04:15 pm

By the New York State Association of Counties

NYSAC this week renewed its call for federal coronavirus funding for states and counties in light of a new report from Moody’s Analytics that projects an additional 4 million layoffs from states and local governments across the nation.

The report, detailed in recent news accounts, underscores the need for Congress and the president to act on an additional federal stimulus package that provides direct funding for states and local governments facing unprecedented funding shortfalls as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession.

This report falls in line with projections released by NYSAC last month that estimated counties in New York would lose more than $2 billion in revenue as a result of the novel coronavirus.

“This report makes it clear is that we’re all in this together. If local governments and the workers they employ suffer, then entire communities and their economies suffer, as essential services are cut and unemployed workers can’t afford to visit local businesses,” NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said. “Our counties commend the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the entire New York State congressional delegation for fighting for enhanced federal Medicaid funding, and the leadership of Gov. Andrew Cuomo for helping to control the spread of COVID-19, but we need additional help from the federal government. We need Congress to approve an additional coronavirus stimulus bill that provides states and local governments with unrestricted and flexible funding.”

County Executives Commend Release of Federal Medicaid Funds

•Earlier this week, the New York State Department of Health announced the disbursement of $323 million in enhanced Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (eFMAP) funds to counties. The funds, included as part of the Families First Coronavirus stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by the president in March, were designed to provide states and counties with funding that would help them through the national health emergency brought on by the novel coronavirus.

Dan McCoy, Albany County executive and president of the New York State County Executive’s Association and the National Association of Counties, said, "County Leaders applaud the New York congressional delegation for securing the additional federal Medicaid funding for the counties. For Albany County, this eFMAP savings will be $2.7 million over the next nine months.

“This essential funding will help county government leaders continue to serve the public during these challenging economic times. On behalf of the NYS County Executives’ Association, I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Gov. Cuomo and the NYS Department of Health for their commitment to continue the state cap on local Medicaid expenses. This is an important public health program which serves millions of New Yorkers."

The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving all the counties of New York State, including the City of New York.

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