NCACC, NCLM, and NCMMMC Call on NC Congressional Delegation for the Immediate Passage of Relief to Local Governments | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) and North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition (NCMMC) together call on Congress to provide significant direct and flexible financial assistance to local governments of all sizes in North Carolina.

    The three organizations have combined voices to advocate for and promote the health and well-being of North Carolina's cities, towns, villages and counties as they face the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Direct aid in equal and equitable portions to both municipalities and counties is desperately needed as local governments continue to fight the ongoing pandemic and position our cities and counties to help lead the economic recovery as part of the engine that can propel our state forward after this health crisis is under control. Congressional action is also urgently needed in light of recently enacted state legislation, which reserves federal CARES Act relief dollars for local governments only if Congress approves flexibility for the previously approved federal funds.

    "We urge our North Carolina congressional delegation to unite and pass dedicated and flexible direct funding for North Carolina county and city local governments. We are working at the county and municipal levels as partners to provide first response and supportive services to protect public health and economic stability during this unprecedented crisis. We continue to provide critical services despite significant losses of revenue as a result of public health measures requiring a pause on most economic activity. You have voted to provide critical support funding for our business communities — both large and small businesses across the country. Now it is time to provide help and flexible assistance to our local governments. We ask for our congressional delegation, both the US House and Senate, to work together to support proposals that provide direct and flexible funding to counties and cities that will help to keep our critical local government operations and infrastructure working for our citizens and businesses."

    Our top three priorities include:

• Provide direct and flexible funding assistance to all counties and municipalities.
• Amend the CARES Act to allow "lost revenue" related to COVID-19 as an eligible use of Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars.
• Rectify the provision under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which excluded government employers from the paid leave tax credits.

• Kevin G. Leonard
• Executive Director
• N.C. Association of County Commissioners
• Phone: (919) 715-4369
• Fax: (919) 733-1065
• www.ncacc.org