Federal Relief Aid Totals More Than 100% of Nebraska State Budget
We don’t know exactly how much money has been sent to Nebraska from the federal government for relief efforts related to the pandemic (how many people got the $1,200 payment?, how many children got the $500 payment?, where did all the PPP money go?, etc.). What we DO know is that the federal government has sent...
Jim Vokal Speaks with White House Office on CARES Act
Today, I had the privilege and opportunity to participate in a White House “Listening Session” with the Office of American Innovation. Along with five other state think tank leaders, I was asked to provide feedback to the White House on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis as well the needed recovery efforts. Specifically, I was...
Flexibility for CARES Act gaining momentum in Congress
The CARES Act has received criticism since its enactment in late March, however, there is a growing consensus of lawmakers seeing that a change is needed to the original legislation. As written, the CARES Act only allows its $150 billion in aid to states and local governments to be used for new spending, not to...
Platte Institute Coalition Letter Mentioned on C-SPAN
The Platte Institute and North Carolina-based John Locke Foundation are leading a coalition of states to encourage Congress to amend the CARES Act. This would provide states and local governments more flexibility with the federal relief dollars. Kokai offered these comments during an April 25, 2020, appearance on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.”
Nebraska-Iowa Rivalry on Display in Federal Relief Proposals
Last week Nebraska’s Representative Don Bacon (R) filed legislation aimed at helping local governments utilize the funding already allocated to states under the previously enacted CARES Acts. His bill, properly named the FLEX Act, gives states the flexibility they need (and many have asked for) to combat this crisis without spending more money. This coincides with a coalition...
Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis: the Next 90 Days
Our Goal: Protect the health, safety, and economic opportunity of all Nebraskans. Our Approach: As Nebraska’s Directed Health Measures are eased, working Nebraskans will need new and safe opportunities in a changed economy. For Nebraska to experience a full economic recovery, it will require a fertile environment for new businesses to start and existing firms...
It is a question many have been asking since Congress passed the historic CARES Act at the end of March. Since then there have been two other relief packages for a total cost of more than $2 trillion. But just exactly how much is being sent to Nebraska? Well, that is an important question on...
On March 27, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law, providing $2 trillion in financial aid to families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. $150 billion of this $2 trillion was allocated to states. The CARES Act specifies that the $150 billion in funds may be used for emergency expenses or for newly...