https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/11/832443932/governors-call-for-500-billion-bailout-amid-standoff-over-coronavirus-relief-fun
Governors Call For $500 Billion Bailout Amid Standoff Over Coronavirus Relief Funds
April 11, 202011:01 AM ET
National Governors Association Chairman Larry Hogan, R-Md., and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-NY, the top Democrat on the Association are issuing a joint call for Congress to approve $500 billion in direct aid to states, signaling a deepening budget crisis caused by the coronavirus as Congress battles over the next round of funding.
"In the absence of unrestricted fiscal support of at least $500 billion from the Federal government, states will have to confront the prospect of significant reductions to critically important services all across this country," the governors said in a statement. "Hampering public health, the economic recovery, and — in turn — our collective effort to get people back to work."
The call for extra money depicts an increasingly dire financial strain on states struggling caused by the coronavirus. Congressional Republicans have rejected calls for additional coronavirus related spending at this time, beyond a $250 billion increase to a small business loan program.
On Thursday, Democrats blocked an attempt to approve the small business money after Republicans refused to add $150 billion for states and $100 billion for hospitals in addition to a requirement that half of any new small business money be directed to community financial institutions.