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W E E K L Y  U P D A T E  March 30th, 2020
 
In this Week's Issue:
Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Signed into Law
NEMWI Releases Report on Infrastructure and Flooding in Upper Miss. R
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Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Signed into Law

Congress last week passed a massive third response to the coronavirus pandemic that included more than $2 trillion in resources to address the widespread health and economic impacts the coronavirus pandemic is causing throughout the country. The package includes direct economic stimulus to the American public, increased federal support for state and local governments, and increased funding for public health programs. Key components of the package include:
  • Grants to Health Care Providers - Includes $100 billion for healthcare to help fight the coronavirus. Additionally, providers will also see a 20 percent bump in Medicare payments for treating patients with the virus.
  • Telemedicine - Incudes $200 million for grants and support of programs to boost telemedicine health checkups that allow health care providers to connect remotely with patients.
  • Rebate Payments - Includes a $1,200 rebate payment to any American residents with an adjusted gross incomes of up to $75,000 ($150,000 for married couples). The Federal government will also provide an additional $500 per child. The payments would start phasing out for earners above those income thresholds and would not go to single filers earning more than $99,000; head-of-household filers with one child, more than $146,500; and more than $198,000 for joint filers with no children.
  • Increased Unemployment Benefits - Includes an extra $600 per week for up to four months for unemployed Americans, on top of state unemployment benefits to make up for 100 percent of lost wages. The bill includes an extra month of unemployment benefits.
  • State and Local Governments - Includes $150 billion for state and local governments, with $8 billion set aside for local governments.
  • Loans to Corporations, State, and Local Governments - Includes a new $500 billion program for the Treasury Department to provide loans to struggling industries, cities, and states.
  • Incentives to Retain Employees - Includes a tax credit for companies to keep their idled workers on payroll during the pandemic, so long as they meet certain criteria. The business could get a refund for half of what they spend on wages, up to $5,000 per worker.
While this package is largely considered the biggest federal stimulus bill ever passed, it is expected that Congress will begin to develop a fourth response package over the next few weeks. While its exact contents remain unknown, it's expected that provisions to help with economic stimulus and recovery will likely remain its centerpiece.
NEMWI Releases New Report on Natural Infrastructure and Flooding in Upper Mississippi Region

The Northeast-Midwest Institute has released a new report titled "Natural Infrastructure's Role in Mitigating Flooding Along the Upper Mississippi River."  The report examines the major flooding risks and flooding impacts experienced by communities in the Upper Mississippi Region, presents projections for how flooding will increase in the future, and examines the use and effectiveness of both traditional flood infrastructure and natural infrastructure in mitigating flooding.
Dr. Michael J. Goff, President and CEO of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, stressed the report's importance to highlighting effective natural infrastructure and to advancing sound public policy in response to climate change and its impacts.
The report examines two cities as case studies:  Davenport, IA, and La Crosse, WI. Davenport, IA is used as a great example of a city using natural infrastructure to reduce flooding impacts from the Mississippi River. La Crosse, WI on the other hand shows how natural infrastructure can be used effectively to prevent inner-city flooding caused by intense or prolonged precipitation.  According to the report's author, Christopher Askew-Merwin, Senior Policy Analyst for Water Programs, these two cities can serve as examples for communities around the region.
Natural infrastructure is generally more effective at flood mitigation, more cost-effective than traditional methods, and provides additional benefits such as cleaner air and water. 
To read the full report, click here.  
To view a webinar presentation of the report, click here.
This Week in Washington

Normally scheduled House and Senate meetings have been curtailed due to the ongoing response to COVID-19.  

NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation