ABBOTT ANNOUNCES FEDERAL COVID-19 FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS; INFO COMING FRIDAY ON PLANS TO REOPEN ECONOMY
Governor Greg Abbott announced today (Wednesday) that his Public Safety Office (PSO) will provide $38 million in federal funding to local units of government in Texas.
These funds, according to a release from the Governor’s Office, come from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program authorized by the federal Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations Act.
Jurisdictions can use this funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to:
- Personnel overtime for essential staff such as medical, peace officers, jailors, and correctional officers,
- Personal protective equipment (PPE),
- Supplies like gloves, masks, sanitizer, and disinfectant,
- Temporary staff,
- Training,
- Travel expenses,
- Medical care for inmates that have tested positive for COVID-19,
- Any other costs associated with the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Guidance documents.
Abbott said these funds will help local governments respond to COVID-19 and provide the resources their communities need. He said he is grateful to the state’s federal partners for “making this crucial financial support available to the state of Texas”.
Interested jurisdictions can register and apply for funding through the PSO’s eGrants grant management website at https://eGrants.gov.texas.gov.
The Governor’s Office also confirmed Abbott's plans to issue an executive order Friday establishing a plan to reopen businesses across the state, although a specific time for the announcement was not given. Abbott previously said the state is focusing on “protecting lives while restoring livelihoods”.