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Hello Friends, Family, and Neighbors-
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The General Assembly has extended the recess of the legislative session. It looks like we will be returning May 26th. I am still checking emails daily and am involved in the COVID-19 response in the San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of help to you or your organization.
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Graphic sourced from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
- Governor Polis met with President Trump and his administration on Wednesday in Washington D.C. to lobby for more federal aid and pandemic support, including investing supplies and PPE
- Governor Polis gave the go-ahead to begin opening state parks and camping around the state on May 12th. It will be a phased approach, starting at 50% capacity. There will be new guidelines at state parks, including limiting campsites to 10 and wearing masks if away from your campsite. You can find a list of campsites reopening here. Governor Polis recommended that you buy all your supplies and gas in your community before making the trip to a campsite, in order to further avoid the spread of COVID-19.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please use the state tool and track your symptoms. You can find the state symptom tracker here.
Southern Colorado
The San Luis Valley has 75 positive cases, with 14 hospitalizations, 21 that have completed isolation and are now symptom free, and 2 deaths.
Alamosa County- 43
Conejos County- 1
Costilla County- 4
Mineral County- 2
Rio Grande County- 7
Saguache County- 18
There have been 19 total positive cases at the Colorado Mushroom Farm in Alamosa. The facility has been working with Public Health officials to provide information to employees and get employees tested.
Here you can find a list of food resources in the SLV.
Huerfano County has 3 positive cases and 0 deaths.
Pueblo County has 186 confirmed cases and 13 deaths.
The Pueblo County drive-up testing site at the state fairgrounds will be open until May 30th. The testing site is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and will test anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. There is no cost and no physician's note is needed.
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Meat Shortage
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many of the country's largest meat processing facilities. Around 20 major plants have been temporarily closed during the past several weeks in response to outbreaks of COVID-19. Many grocery stores have begun limiting purchase amounts in preparation for potential shortages. There could be slight increases in prices.
Colorado agriculture commissioner Kate Greenberg said she does not anticipate a beef shortage in the state and that Colorado's situation is less severe than states who produce pigs, chickens, or turkeys.
This is still a great opportunity to reach out to local farms and butchers who have stated they are less likely to be impacted because much of their meat is from local farms and not processed in the major processing facilities.
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The State Budget
Last week I gave you some information on the cuts that the Joint Budget Committee has authorized based on recommendations from nonpartisan JBC staff.
Tuesday brought grim news that the budget shortfall will be about $3.3 billion for 2020-2021. JBC will still have to find another $2.5 billion to cut from the state budget, in addition to the cuts already made.
Here is the most up-to-date budget balancing document released on Wednesday based on the new predictions. Giving unrestricted funds to states was one of the topics of conversation when Governor Polis spoke with President Trump on Wednesday.
The HEROES Act introduced by Congress today does include funds to local and state governments to help address budget shortfalls, but it will have to get approval from the Senate. The $3 trillion piece of legislation also includes hazard pay for frontline health care workers, forgiveness of student debt and bolstering Medicaid and Medicare as well as provisions to assist farmers, protect renters and homeowners from evictions and foreclosures, and extend family and medical leave provisions previously approved by Congress. |
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I had a wonderful meeting on Thursday night with educators from all around the San Luis Valley. We discussed the importance of funding education, as Colorado falls almost $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding. With looming cuts to the state budget, it is more important than ever that we don't fall further behind. Fighting to ensure adequate education funding will be one of my priorities when we return to the Capitol at the end of the month.
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This was likely not how you envisioned your graduation celebration would be- online learning to finish the year, cancelled ceremonies and parties, not able to spend time with friends and family. However, even with the unfortunate circumstances we find ourselves in, this is a huge accomplishment! I have no doubt you will use skills you gained for the rest of your life. This uniquely challenging experience you’ve weathered will shape you and give you strength. I wish you the best of luck in everything you pursue next.
Congratulations!
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Small Business Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has an extensive list of Coronavirus Relief resources for small business including information about the Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL Loan Advance, SBA Express Bridge Loan, and SBA Debt Relief.
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