Livingston County Says Prior Federal Aid Unfair to Local Governments

 
Livingston County officials are continuing to advocate for federal appropriations to local governments to blunt the negative budgetary impacts caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. County officials, led by Board of Supervisors Chairman and Avon Town Supervisor David L. LeFeber, have contacted the County’s U.S. Senate and Congressional Delegation explaining the necessity of equitable federal funding.

A previous round of aid to local governments distributed by the federal government under the CARES Act’s State Stabilization Fund was inequitable, according to County officials. This aid was directly appropriated only to local governments with a population of 500,000 or greater.

Livingston County and a majority of other counties and municipalities across the nation and New York State did not meet the onerous population requirement set by the Act. Instead, they were eligible to receive indirect, much smaller appropriations of aid distributed through the states.

“During this time of budgetary strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that all local governments are eligible to receive fiscal aid from the federal government,” said LeFeber. “I have been in regular contact with the offices of Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with that of Representative Tom Reed to highlight Livingston County’s needs during this trying time. I will continue my advocacy efforts on behalf of the County for the quick adoption of a law to provide equitable federal aid to all local governments.”

Two pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Congress to distribute federal aid to all counties regardless of population size. The HEROES Act, which has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, would distribute a portion of $1 trillion to every county in the United States regardless of populations. The SMART Act, which has been introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, would distribute a portion of $500 billion to all counties regardless of population size.