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News releases, reports, statements and associated documents covering state government, cities and counties.
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Statement From La. Gov. Edwards on Supreme Court Refusing to Hear Challenge to COVID Mitigation Measures
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Nov. 30 -- Gov. John Bel Edwards, D-Louisiana, issued the following statement on Nov. 28:
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued the following statement following the United States Supreme Court denying a motion to hear the case of Spell v. Edwards, which sought to overturn the Governor's mitigation measures.
"Throughout the course of this pandemic, I have let science and data inform the many difficult decisions I have made regarding gathering sizes and other mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID.
"I have taken no such decisions lightly. The reasonable, legal mitigation
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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, Nov. 30 -- Gov. John Bel Edwards, D-Louisiana, issued the following statement on Nov. 28:
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued the following statement following the United States Supreme Court denying a motion to hear the case of Spell v. Edwards, which sought to overturn the Governor's mitigation measures.
"Throughout the course of this pandemic, I have let science and data inform the many difficult decisions I have made regarding gathering sizes and other mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID.
"I have taken no such decisions lightly. The reasonable, legal mitigationmeasures have been necessary to protect the people of Louisiana from unchecked spread of the coronavirus, which would limit hospitals' ability to deliver care. I am thankful that the United States Supreme Court denied this effort to overturn these mitigation efforts.
"For months I have spoken and prayed with leaders of many faiths as we have navigated this pandemic together. I know how difficult this time has been for them and I am deeply appreciative of their commitment to practice their faiths even under trying circumstances and with the health of their congregations in mind.
"As Pope Francis wrote of COVID this week: 'Looking to the common good is much more than the sum of what is good for individuals. It means having a regard for all citizens and seeking to respond effectively to the needs of the least fortunate.'
"My own faith teaches me that our actions have an impact on others, that we truly are in this together, in 1 Corinthians 12: "There are many parts, yet one body" and "If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy." I have faith that the people of Louisiana will continue to care for one another by slowing the spread of this terrible illness."
Statement From Commissioner Suzi LeVine Regarding Ongoing State Audits
OLYMPIA, Washington, Nov. 30 -- The Washington State Employment Security Department issued the following statement by Commissioner Suzi LeVine:
"Our agency has welcomed these audits from the beginning and we continue to do so. The Employment Security Department and State Auditor's Office have the shared goal of a secure and continuously improving unemployment system that consistently works better for Washingtonians. We remain firmly committed to full transparency and are collaborating closely with the State Auditor and her staff, as we have all along.
"The State Auditor's Office is doing important
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OLYMPIA, Washington, Nov. 30 -- The Washington State Employment Security Department issued the following statement by Commissioner Suzi LeVine:
"Our agency has welcomed these audits from the beginning and we continue to do so. The Employment Security Department and State Auditor's Office have the shared goal of a secure and continuously improving unemployment system that consistently works better for Washingtonians. We remain firmly committed to full transparency and are collaborating closely with the State Auditor and her staff, as we have all along.
"The State Auditor's Office is doing importantwork with these audits, and we have been doing everything we can to be responsive to them. This includes setting up new escalation processes so auditors can get what they need as quickly as possible and maintaining fully open lines of communication.
"At the same time, our agency is navigating several complexities. For example, we are supporting multiple audits simultaneously, including federal audits being conducted on every state, all in the midst of a crisis with some of the highest unemployment in Washington's history. In addition, many of the same staff who need to respond to the audits are also critical to the delivery of benefits, which are a lifeline to our customers.
"We recognize deeply that the success of these audits directly benefits Washingtonians because the knowledge gained will help us meet our top priority - getting benefits to Washingtonians who are eligible for them, and greatly need them, during this crisis."
N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following transcript on Nov. 29:
Hello guys. Happy Sunday of the Thanksgiving weekend. Today is day 274. We did 157,000 tests. The number of tests we're doing are astronomical. When you test that many, obviously the positivity, the number of positive cases, is going to go up proportionate to the number of tests. It's the percentage increase that is relevant, you know. So we had 6,723 tests reported positive. The other day it was 8,000. Doesn't mean we're down. It means the number of tests were down. So it's the percentage that
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ALBANY, New York, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following transcript on Nov. 29:
Hello guys. Happy Sunday of the Thanksgiving weekend. Today is day 274. We did 157,000 tests. The number of tests we're doing are astronomical. When you test that many, obviously the positivity, the number of positive cases, is going to go up proportionate to the number of tests. It's the percentage increase that is relevant, you know. So we had 6,723 tests reported positive. The other day it was 8,000. Doesn't mean we're down. It means the number of tests were down. So it's the percentage thatmatters, right.
Overall, with focus zones included, 4.27, which is up from 3.9. It was the highest since back in May. The state without micro-cluster zones is 3.75. Micro-cluster zones is 5.8. 55 New Yorkers died from COVID yesterday. They're in our thoughts and prayers. 3,000 New Yorkers were hospitalized, that's up 85. 667 COVID patients were in ICU, that's up 13. 326 intubated, that's down 5. Western New York leads the show, 6.6. Finger Lakes, 5.1, Central New York, 4.6, Mid-Hudson, 4.4, Mohawk Valley, 3.8, Long Island, 3.6, Capital Region, 2.9, New York City, 2.7, North Country, 2.5, Southern Tier, 1.96. Statewide, 3.5.
If you look at New York versus the other states, New York is doing very, very well, relative to the other states. Congratulations, New Yorkers. If you look at New York relative only to New York, you see the numbers going up, not as fast as in other states, but the numbers are going up, and it's nice that we're doing better in a national context and global context, but it's irrelevant to one extent, because we have to deal with the issues that we have here in New York relative to New York, right? And that's why when you hear that Dr. Fauci say today, we're for looking at a surge upon surge- it's interesting how language develops through this COVID situation. We talked about waves at first. We are still in the first wave. People say, "Oh we're in the second wave," but we're not in the second wave. A second wave is a mutated virus as a wave. This is a first wave with additional surge. Dr. Fauci then says today, "surge upon surge," so the first wave is increasing, and surge upon surge, it's going to continue to increase. And he talked about through the Holidays and New Years. That's what we've been talking about. We've been talking about the 37 days of the holiday season starting at Thanksgiving, and then you got a Black Friday, and now all the songs are Christmas songs and holiday songs, and holiday shopping. And all the TV commercials are holiday shopping, buy this and buy that. So you are in the holiday season and that is increased social activity and that means increased infection rate. That is where we are. And that is what we're going to see.
I expect, as I've said before, you're going to see the rate going up through the holiday season, which ends after the New Year. So, after New Year's Day, look a week or 10 days afterwards, hopefully the social activity slows at that point and the infection rate starts to level off. And then you get to a vaccine which is the answer ultimately, but the vaccine, then you have to have discussion about how quickly and distribute it and how effectively, and what's the critical mass point of the vaccine. But that is months away by every professional's estimate. So that's what we're looking at.
This is a new phase for COVID. You want to call it the winter phase; you want to call it the holiday phase; you want to call it the surge upon surge phase; you want to call it the dramatic increase in COVID rates nationwide phase; you want to call it the international increase in COVID rate phase. Italy is using the army now to enforce close downs. California announced another basic shutdown. That's where we are.
We are spending this weekend finishing leftover turkey and talking to health officials and local governments about a winter plan, next phase plan. We'll be speaking to that tomorrow and this week with more details.
New York City announced that they are reopening schools. I think that's the right direction. The schools, we do have new facts and new information on schools. Just about every professional says the schools, especially K-8, should be kept open whenever it's possible to keep them open safely. We have done testing in schools and we now know what we're looking at in schools. The positivity rate is much, much lower. It's literally safer for a child and the teacher to be in the school than in the community.
Last point, unrelated. East Greenbush, Times Union did a good piece of reporting today on an East Greenbush police officer. You know, we are trying to reestablish the police, community relationship. We have every community in the State, 550 municipalities with a police agency, now going through a reformation plan where they reimagine their police department. There's a roll for the State in all of this also and people have to know that a police officer who breaks the rules and abuses his or her position is no longer going to be a police officer.
There can't be these bureaucratic contrivances and loopholes that, "well, he wasn't fired for cause, he was allowed to resign," and therefore he can be a police officer somewhere else. If a police officer is not qualified or does not perform to the standards for one police agency, that doesn't mean you take a person who acted unprofessionally and you let them go work in a different police department. That doesn't work for the people of the state.
So the State will be making, I will be making proposals. I want the people of this state to know trust is a two-way street and the police should trust the community and the community should trust the police and the conditions exist for both of them to do it and if there is a bad cop that bad cop should no longer be a police officer. A bad cop does a disservice to the 99.9 percent of good cops and we'll make sure that happens.
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AUDIO of today's remarks is available here: https://soundcloud.com/nygovcuomo/governor-cuomo-updates-new-yorkers-on-states-covid-19-response-makes-an-announcement-112920
N.Y. Gov. Cuomo Calls for Closure of Loopholes That Allow Police Officers to Maintain Credentials Despite Misconduct
ALBANY, New York, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following transcript:
Last point, unrelated. East Greenbush, Times Union did a good piece of reporting today on an East Greenbush police officer. You know, we are trying to reestablish the police, community relationship. We have every community in the State, 550 municipalities with a police agency, now going through a reformation plan where they reimagine their police department. There's a roll for the State in all of this also and people have to know that a police officer who breaks the rules and abuses his or her position
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ALBANY, New York, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-New York, issued the following transcript:
Last point, unrelated. East Greenbush, Times Union did a good piece of reporting today on an East Greenbush police officer. You know, we are trying to reestablish the police, community relationship. We have every community in the State, 550 municipalities with a police agency, now going through a reformation plan where they reimagine their police department. There's a roll for the State in all of this also and people have to know that a police officer who breaks the rules and abuses his or her positionis no longer going to be a police officer.
There can't be these bureaucratic contrivances and loopholes that, "well, he wasn't fired for cause, he was allowed to resign," and therefore he can be a police officer somewhere else. If a police officer is not qualified or does not perform to the standards for one police agency, that doesn't mean you take a person who acted unprofessionally and you let them go work in a different police department. That doesn't work for the people of the state.
So the State will be making, I will be making proposals. I want the people of this state to know trust is a two-way street and the police should trust the community and the community should trust the police and the conditions exist for both of them to do it and if there is a bad cop that bad cop should no longer be a police officer. A bad cop does a disservice to the 99.9 percent of good cops and we'll make sure that happens.
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AUDIO of today's remarks is available here: https://soundcloud.com/nygovcuomo/east-greenbush-police-comments
Md. Gov. Hogan Encourages Marylanders to Safely Participate in Small Business Saturday
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Larry Hogan, R-Maryland, issued the following transcript on Nov. 28:
Governor Larry Hogan today released a video message encouraging Marylanders to safely support local small businesses on Small Business Saturday.
Transcript
While the way we celebrate the holidays may look a little different this year, we are still encouraging Marylanders to celebrate Small Business Saturday by finding ways to safely support your local small businesses, which have been hit particularly hard during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis.
Last month we doubled
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Larry Hogan, R-Maryland, issued the following transcript on Nov. 28:
Governor Larry Hogan today released a video message encouraging Marylanders to safely support local small businesses on Small Business Saturday.
Transcript
While the way we celebrate the holidays may look a little different this year, we are still encouraging Marylanders to celebrate Small Business Saturday by finding ways to safely support your local small businesses, which have been hit particularly hard during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis.
Last month we doubledour state relief investment to $500 million to fund a combination of new small business relief programs to protect jobs, and to expand our existing successful programs in order to immediately provide additional, desperately needed relief to all the businesses and their employees who are most in need.
But you can help too. Shop online, utilize curbside pick-up options, or shop in person while wearing a mask and keeping your distance.
Maryland's small businesses are our job creators. They are the cornerstone of our communities and the backbone of our economy. So this holiday season, please do your part and help us keep Maryland open for business.
Colorado House Democrats: Special Session Aims to Help Coloradans Bridge the Gap, Boost Recovery
DENVER, Colorado, Nov. 30 -- The Colorado House Democrats issued the following news:
The Colorado General Assembly will convene a special session on Monday, November 30 to pass bi-partisan COVID-19 relief legislation that will support small businesses, increase access to child care and food assistance, help Coloradans cover their housing and utility costs, and improve broadband options for students in need.
"Congressional inaction has left millions stranded - completely abandoned in their time of need. Small businesses have been drowning for months waiting for comprehensive federal aid, while
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DENVER, Colorado, Nov. 30 -- The Colorado House Democrats issued the following news:
The Colorado General Assembly will convene a special session on Monday, November 30 to pass bi-partisan COVID-19 relief legislation that will support small businesses, increase access to child care and food assistance, help Coloradans cover their housing and utility costs, and improve broadband options for students in need.
"Congressional inaction has left millions stranded - completely abandoned in their time of need. Small businesses have been drowning for months waiting for comprehensive federal aid, whilehardworking Coloradans anxiously watch housing and unemployment support dissipate," said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. "The amount the Colorado state government can do to alleviate the burdens of struggling communities is limited, but it's not nothing. That's why we are using everything in our power to deliver the support families and businesses need to make it through another couple months. I fully believe that federal relief is on its way, but Coloradans simply can't wait any longer. This stimulus package will help cover the immediate needs of those hit hardest by the pandemic and buoy us until more help is available."
"We have to do everything possible in Colorado to help families, workers and businesses get through the challenging months ahead," said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. "This pandemic is taking its toll on nearly every Coloradan, with businesses on the brink of closing and families struggling to avoid eviction or foreclosure. Only Washington can deliver the kind of comprehensive relief our communities need, but Coloradans can't wait any longer. Our state government will step up with every tool we have, despite our limited budget, to do what we can to help bridge the gap until Congress acts and until a vaccine is ready."
"The lack of federal leadership during the coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than just human life, it's claimed careers, financial stability, mental health, and our way of existing in community," said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder."This package of bills cannot replace what we've lost and it can't make up for the lack of nation-wide relief, but it can offer a lifeline to those who find themselves fighting to stay afloat. We are committed to implementing any and all solutions that get us over this next hurdle, which will be one of the biggest ones we have faced yet, but together we can make it through."
"Restaurants and bars, small businesses, and hardworking families across our state are struggling to make ends meet as the virus spreads at record levels and essential federal aid has run out," said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. "Our state legislature will get to work Monday on a relief package to support small businesses, help families avoid foreclosure or eviction, and increase access to safe child care options. While we still need Congress to pass a meaningful relief package, we have a responsibility to do what we can to boost our economy and help Coloradans get through this pandemic."
The General Assembly will address seven key areas aimed at providing immediate relief to Coloradans who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each area will include policy proposals focused on meeting the most essential needs of families and businesses.
Small Business Aid (Sens. Winter & Priola and Rep. Herod): Capacity limits have severely impacted small businesses across the state, especially bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. To buttress these industries for the difficult winter months ahead, two bills are being proposed. The first will begin in the Senate, sponsored by Senators Winter & Priola and Representatives Herod. This bill will send $57 million in direct aid, grants, and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses - prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority-owned businesses.
Sales Tax Relief (Reps. A. Valdez & Van Winkle and Sens. Bridges & Tate): Eating establishments have been hit particularly hard by capacity restrictions. This bill will allow restaurants, bars, and food trucks to retain state sales tax they collect from November 2020 through February 2021. This will provide bars and restaurants from $2,000 to $10,000 in tax reliefeach month to help them make ends meet.
Child Care Support (Reps. Kipp & Landgraf and Sens. Pettersen & Sonnenberg): Colorado's economic recovery depends on its workforce having access to stable child care. But due to temporary closures and the increased costs of health and safety precautions for child care providers, many are on the brink of financial collapse. This legislation will distribute $45 million to enable existing providers to keep their doors open and new providers to open and meet the needs of working parents, especially in child care deserts. These grant programs are estimated to support 2,600 child care facilities, preserving child care for over 100,000 children and creating capacity for tens of thousands more. Moreover, research shows that for every dollar spent on early childhood programs, $2.25 is contributed to our state's economy.
Housing and Direct Rental Assistance (Sens. Gonzales & Holbert and Reps. Exum, Sr. & Tipper): The impending expiration of federal assistance programs such as enhanced unemployment benefits, leaves millions of Coloradans vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure in the coming months. In fact, according to recent surveys, over 40 percent of Coloradans are living in a household that is behind on their rent or mortgage and at risk of foreclosure or eviction. This legislation will provide $50 million for emergency housing assistance to individuals and households who are in financial need due to the COVID-19. Of the funding, $500,000 will support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter.
Increasing Broadband Access (Sens. Donovan & Coram and Reps. Young & Soper): Internet access is absolutely essential for students during this difficult time. But many families who are struggling with financial stability simply can't afford to cover the cost, while numerous school districts lack the infrastructure to educate their students remotely. This proposal will dedicate $20 million towards increasing our state's broadband capacity - connecting more students to their teachers so that they can learn safely in the months ahead.
Food Pantry Assistance (Rep. Cutter & Bockenfeldand Sen. Story): 1 in 3 Coloradans are struggling with food insecurity as more and more families are being forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Food banks and their partners need additional assistance to meet the rising demands, especially as the December expiration for federal hunger-relief looms. A bill beginning in the House would devote $3 million to replenishing these essential community services to increase access to food for Colorado families that fear they'll go to bed hungry.
Utilities Assistance (Sens. Fields & Crowder and Reps. Duran & Landgraf): As unemployment numbers remain high and federal resources continue to dwindle, many Coloradans are at risk of losing their utilities - a dangerous outcome in the winter months. This bill will appropriate $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to meet the 25% increase in applications that Energy Outreach Colorado has seen this year.
Public Health Response (Sens. Moreno & Rankin and Reps. McCluskie): With many hospitals across Colorado reaching critical capacity in recent weeks, additional funds are needed to continue the State's robust public health response. This legislation will allocate an additional $100 million to ensure the State can continue to protect public health while we await additional federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The legislature will convene with the same overall composition and legislative leadership as the 2020 regular legislative session. Lawmakers will have the option of participating remotely for floor work, and there will be limited committee work with remote public testimony options. Other measures will also be adopted to mitigate the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of additional safety measures in the building, such as daily rapid testing and KN95 masks for legislators and staff as well as increased social distancing.
Colo. Gov. Polis and First Gentleman Reis Test Positive for COVID-19
DENVER, Colorado, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, issued the following news release on Nov. 28:
This evening, Governor Polis and First Gentleman Reis learned that they have tested positive for COVID-19. They are both asymptomatic, feeling well, and will continue to isolate in their home.
"Marlon and I are feeling well so far, and are in good spirits. No person or family is immune to this virus. I urge every Coloradan to practice caution, limit public interactions, wear a mask in public, stay six feet from others, and wash your hands regularly," said Governor Polis.
The Governor will
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DENVER, Colorado, Nov. 30 -- Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, issued the following news release on Nov. 28:
This evening, Governor Polis and First Gentleman Reis learned that they have tested positive for COVID-19. They are both asymptomatic, feeling well, and will continue to isolate in their home.
"Marlon and I are feeling well so far, and are in good spirits. No person or family is immune to this virus. I urge every Coloradan to practice caution, limit public interactions, wear a mask in public, stay six feet from others, and wash your hands regularly," said Governor Polis.
The Governor willcontinue to be closely monitored. Gov. Polis will continue to fulfill his duties and responsibilities and continue to work remotely. To find a COVID-19 testing site near you please visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/testing
