NYSRA Update: COVID-19 Outbreak | May 7, 2020

Good News
  • To keep the vulnerable members of the Ithaca community well-fed, Collegetown Bagels has partnered with World Central Kitchen and opened a community kitchen at their downtown Ithaca location. All pre-packaged soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees are offered on a “pay what you can” basis, up to two items per person, per day. Ithacans that would like to aid in the effort have the option to “pay it forward” at the register to help buy the next meal for their neighbors in need. In addition, everything in the store is 10% off for members of the hospitality industry. Learn more: https://www.collegetownbagels.com/community-kitchen ​

Federal
  • The Treasury Dept. is allowing a one-week extension of the deadline for recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to return the money to the government if the companies determine they do not meet newly revised guidelines for eligibility. Treasury and the Small Business Administration, which administers the program, changed the deadline to May 14 in a frequently asked questions memo on SBA’s web page, revised on May 5. [See FAQ #43 for extension notice.]
  • Twenty-one US Senators, including Sen. Kirsten Gillbrand sent a letter to SBA and Treasury regarding PPP and loan forgiveness. Specifically, they asked for the 75/25 percent split be changed to allow for up to 50% of the funds to be spent on statutorily allowed non-payroll expenses including rent and utilities. To add your voice to our national efforts to modify PPP loan rules, please read the National Restaurant Association’s alert: https://actnow.io/blueprint or you can text Recovery to 52886 to take action.
  • The National Restaurant Association sent a letter to the US Department of Labor today on the WARN Act, putting them on notice that the Association is also seeking a legislative solution from Congress as a part of COVID-4 legislation. 

State
  • Governor Cuomo has posted the Map of the 10 regions of the state and a list of counties within each region and where we stand in terms of readiness to reopen here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/new-york-forward.
  • Today, Governor Cuomo announced the extension of the March 20 executive order (202.08) that enacted a moratorium on residential and commercial COVID-19 related evictions for an additional 60 days, until August 20th. Additionally, the State is banning late payment fees for missed payments during this eviction moratorium as well as allowing renters facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to use their security deposit as payment and repaying their security deposit over time. In accordance with this extension the Governor indicated that he is also “working on relief from the banks for the landlords” that could be seeing longer gaps in tenant payments, as well as relief for banks themselves.
  • Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended for 30 days an order that prohibits insurance carriers from terminating some policies and requires them to be lenient with policyholders suffering financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirements, which were scheduled to expire on May 7, will now expire on June 6. Only certain types of commercial lines property/casualty insurance policies are covered by the Emergency Regulation, including workers’ compensation. Please contact Kevin Cook, Jennifer Romanski or Sarah Cook with any questions regarding your workers' compensation policy.
  • Members of the Western NY Chapter participated in a Town Hall with Assemblyman Sean Ryan hosted by NYSRA’s lobbying firm, Statewide Public Affairs.

NYC
  • Today, Brad Lander, a City Council co-sponsor of the new damaging proposals, held a town hall with Sen. Elizabeth Warren to drum up more support for his legislation. Hundreds of essential workers were included on the Zoom call, and another thousand watched over Facebook Live. Lander is rallying his troops, and we need to make sure our response is loud and clear! Submit written testimony here by tomorrow at 5pm. Complete the phone to action campaign here. 

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