Senator Perry and Representative Humphrey announce passage of COVID-19 relief package
Raleigh, N.C. – Senator Jim Perry (R - Lenoir, Wayne) and Representative Chris Humphrey (R - Lenoir, Pitt) joined their colleagues in unanimously approving two COVID-19 response packages, including over $1.5 billion in much-needed relief for families, students, workers, businesses and hospitals to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pandemic Response Act (HB 1043) provides funding for North Carolina's medical providers, education communities, and broadband connectivity. The COVID-19 Recovery Act (SB 704) provides tax relief, streamlines unemployment access, and makes policy reforms in education, healthcare, and government operations to assist North Carolinians through the pandemic and economic shutdown.
“Legislation is never perfect,” stated Rep. Humphrey. “We tried to focus on areas of broad agreement to get as much help out as possible. I am proud to have been part of this process.”
“It was critical for us to get this money circulating in our economy,” said Sen. Perry. “The State of North Carolina faces an upcoming budget shortfall because of virus related shutdowns. We need to take steps now to brace for that impact.”
The package is a significant investment that lays the groundwork for moving the state forward and responding to the economic and human impacts of this pandemic. The commitment goes above and beyond previous requests and includes funding for testing, tracing, immediate recovery needs, and increasing access to broadband and electronic devices to access remote learning opportunities.
The bill also addresses both immediate needs, like purchasing personal protective equipment and expanding digital infrastructure needs, and long-term research and development to fight the virus. It supports testing for uninsured patients, rural and under-served communities, and behavioral health services.
Funding Includes:
Small Business
$125 million for small business loans
K-12 Education
$75 million for school nutrition
$70 million for summer learning programs
$11 million to improve K-12 internet connectivity
$30 million to K-12 schools for computers and other electronic devices
$10 million for mental health and other student health services
$5 million for computers and other devices for school personnel
$4.5 million for cybersecurity at schools
$3 million for non-digital instruction for students with limited internet access
$1 million to improve internet access by installing WiFi routers in school buses
Higher Education
$25 million for community colleges
$44 million for UNC System schools
$20 million for private colleges
COVID-19 Supplies and Support
$50 million to enhance Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
$25 million to expand testing and contact tracing
$25 million for financial support for assisted living facilities
$20 million for enhanced public health capacity
$20 million for behavioral health
Rural Broadband
$9 million to help expand rural broadband
Social Services
$19 million for foster and child care
$6 million for food banks
$5 million for community health centers
$5 million for free and charitable clinics
$1.5 million for prescriptions for uninsured
COVID-19 Research
$29 million to UNC School of Public Health/NC Collaboratory
$20 million to Wake Forest University to expand the antibody study
$15 million to Duke University Human Vaccine Institute
$15 million to ECU Brody School of Medicine
$6 million to Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hospitals
$65 million to rural hospitals
$15 million for North Carolina teaching hospitals
$15 million for a general hospital relief fund
State and Local Government
$300 million for local government coronavirus relief reserve
$50 million for rural and underserved communities
$100 million for counties
$85 million for state government operations
$300 million for transportation operations
$5 million for tourism industry support
