Overwhelming bipartisan support for ‘Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0’ sends General Assembly proposals to the Governor
Raleigh, N.C. – The state General Assembly gave final legislative approval to a $1 billion historic relief package today that includes direct payments to North Carolina parents of $335 to cover unexpected childcare costs.
The relief measure also increases North Carolina’s unemployment benefits for families to the second highest in the Southeast, while maintaining tax rates for employers still recovering from the pandemic and rehiring displaced workers.
The measure delivers on a top public school priority of holding education funding levels “harmless,” regardless of expected drops in enrollment.
The “hold harmless” funding policy was cited by education leaders as the most important measure lawmakers could take to support North Carolina schools. Today, Republicans accomplished it.
“This is a historic day of promises kept for North Carolinians, the culmination of a decade of state government reform by this Republican General Assembly that allows us to continue investing in recovery for all our citizens today,” Speaker Moore said Thursday.
Relief for North Carolinians in House Bill 1105 Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 includes:
- Childcare support of $335 to North Carolina parents
- Better unemployment benefits increased $200/month
- $75 million for PPE to protect North Carolinians
- Promises kept to K-12 schools to “hold harmless” funding
- A total increase of $115 million to education
- $17 million in grants for exceptional children’s services
- $50 million to the Lost Wages Assistance Program
- Help for more families to qualify for scholarship programs
- Additional $45 million for small business grant program
- Bipartisan priorities like the PPE+NC program
- Elimination of education wait lists for kids with disabilities
- $40 million investment in broadband and home connectivity
- Higher enrollment in virtual education options for families
- $44.5 million for hurricane recovery from four major storms
- $38 million on direct services for behavioral health
- Support for safe voting with $5 million for elections boards
###