Senate & House Stimulus Petition Full Text

SENATE & HOUSE STIMULUS PETITION - FULL TEXT AUGUST 10, 2020

We are eager for the US Senate to pass substantive legislation to address the health and economic issues caused by
the pandemic.  We urge members of the Senate and House to move swiftly to adopt a relief bill
that reduces hardships for the most vulnerable and takes steps toward restoring the vitality of our economy. 

CCG calls on Senators Bennet and Gardner and all House members to:

1. Support the full $600 per week federal supplemental unemployment insurance 

The CARES Act provided an additional $600/week to supplement the unemployment benefits provided by the State of Colorado. The Senate bill proposed would reduce that supplement to just $200/week. In order to help families cover their current living costs and keep our economy afloat, Congress must continue the $600/week supplement until the pandemic has subsided.

2. Provide $100 Billion in rent assistance and extend an eviction moratorium

20% of renters in Colorado recently said they were unsure if they could pay their August rent and the trend is steadily rising. 1) In a recent survey, 43% of Colorado respondents indicated that they pay more than 50% of their pretax income on rent. 2) Rent assistance programs offered thus far have met only a fraction of the need. The House bill proposes allocating $100 Billion for Rent Assistance, while the current Senate proposal has nothing for rent assistance.

3. All those with Social Security numbers or ITINs should receive a stimulus check

The CARES Act provided $1,200 in stimulus to adult taxpayers and $500 for each of their minor dependents,  However, if anyone in the home filed taxes using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security Number (SSN), no one in the family received a stimulus payment.  CCG recommends that any stimulus targeted toward individuals and families must be provided to ALL taxpayers regardless of whether they filed using a SSN or ITIN, with the exception of those whose income exceeded certain levels: e.g. single taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) above $99,000, heads of households with an AGI above $136,500, and joint filers with AGI over $198,000. 

4. Invest $175 Billion in Public Education to Reopen Schools Safely and Close the Digital Divide

Less than one percent of federal pandemic relief has gone to K-12 education. To safely reopen schools and make distance learning work, Congress must fund: resources to modify classrooms, cafeterias, and school buses to permit social distancing; intensify instruction and support for students traumatized by the impact of the coronavirus on their families and communities; provide regular testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for students and educators; implement rigorous cleaning and ventilation standards; make broadband internet available for every child; and more. The relief package needs to include at least $175 billion to stabilize education funding, at least $4 billion to equip students with hot spots and devices to help narrow the digital divide and close the homework gap, directed funding for
PPE, and relief for student loan borrowers. 

5. Increase federal share of Medicaid costs while requiring Medicaid Maintenance of Effort

If the federal government pays more of the cost of Colorado’s Medicaid (Colorado Access) program, more state funds will remain to cover other essential costs.  Despite lower revenues, states must maintain the same level of services to Medicaid-eligible families.

Signed,
Coloradans for the Common Good