News Flash Home
The original item was published from 8/11/2020 10:22:54 AM to 8/12/2021 12:00:07 AM.

News Flash

Home

Posted on: August 11, 2020

[ARCHIVED] President Trump Takes Steps to Address COVID-19 Relief

On Saturday, President Trump signed an Executive Order and three presidential memorandums after talks between the Administration and Democratic leaders on a new COVID-19 relief package broke down. The Democratic leaders are pushing for the HEROES Act ($3 trillion) while the White House is looking to stay at $1 trillion.

Temporary Relief for Wage-Earners

The Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster instructs the Treasury Department to temporarily suspend collection of employees’ payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare payments) for those earning under $104,000 a year, from September 1 through the end of the year. Absent action by Congress to change the law, employees would be responsible to make up for these deferred payments in the future.

Possible Temporary Boost in Unemployment Benefits

The Memorandum on Authorizing the Other Needs Assistance Program for Major Disaster Declarations Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 looks to address the July expiration of the $600 a week federal supplement to state unemployment benefits. It would divert $44 billion of FEMA Disaster Relief Funding to a program that could add $400 a week to state unemployment benefits. Federal FEMA funding would cover $300 of the total if states agree to provide the other $100. The memo orders the aid to continue through December 27, or until funding is exhausted.

Possible Eviction Protections

The Executive Order on Fighting the Spread of COVID-19 by Providing Assistance to Renters and Homeowners asks Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield to “consider” whether an eviction ban is needed. (The previous ban, a part of the CARES Act, expired at the end of last month.) The order also asks Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson to identify any and all available funds to provide temporary financial assistance to renters and homeowners struggling to meet their monthly rental or mortgage obligation. It doesn’t promise more aid.

Temporary Student Loan Relief

The Memorandum on Continued Student Loan Relief During the COVID-19 Pandemic waives all interest on student loans held by the federal government through the end of 2020. Payment on loan principal will be due on December 31. Full payments (principal and interest) would resume, effective January 1, 2021.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

Stay NJ Taskforce Announced

Posted on: December 8, 2023

MWC Healthy Town Designation Is Now Open

Posted on: December 1, 2023

NJ Clean Energy Programs Survey

Posted on: September 15, 2023

Passing of BPU President Fiordaliso

Posted on: September 8, 2023

FY 2024 Vibrant Places Program by NJTPA

Posted on: August 31, 2023

State Launches Stop Overdoses Website

Posted on: August 11, 2023

FY2024 Budget & ETR Update

Posted on: June 30, 2023

ETR Funding Doubled in FY2024 Budget

Posted on: June 29, 2023

OPRA Reform Legislation Introduced

Posted on: June 23, 2023

SHBC Plan Design Committee Meeting Summary

Posted on: February 24, 2023

FY2023 Federal Omnibus Budget Passed

Posted on: January 9, 2023

SHBP Update: No Relief In New Year

Posted on: December 30, 2022

Federal Budget Update

Posted on: December 23, 2022

LEAP Grants Now Available

Posted on: December 23, 2022

Federal Budget Update

Posted on: December 19, 2022