Local Policy
States Must Decide How to Spend Coronavirus Relief Funds As Localities Wait for Their Share
June 9, 2020 | Billy Culleton
As communities continue to address the economic effects of government-mandated stay-at-home orders put in place to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, states are discussing how to spend their portion of the $150 billion of federal aid Congress allocated to states and local governments through the CARES Act. The aid program, called the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), provides states, territories, tribes, and local governments funds to cover various expenses incurred due to stopping the spread of the virus. The challenge is determining who — the governor or the legislature — has the final say over the money.
