The CARES ACT:
Different versions of the summary are probably best for different audiences. A few that I have seen.
- Possibly the most digestible piece came out of the Senate committee that worked on the bill. That is attached.
- Both of Oregon US Senate offices have posted extensive information as well:
o https://www.wyden.senate.gov/coronavirus-resources
o https://www.merkley.senate.gov/coronavirus
Remaining questions about Governor Brown’s 20-12 Executive Order:
The Governor’s page now has a “quiz”/tool to help employers figure out how best to comply with Exec Order 20-12: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19#top
Employment and Economic Response to COVID-19
Weekly Summary: Sunday, March 29
This digest is a compilation of information and resources related to employment, commerce and economic development issues surrounding COVID-19. There are numerous online resources for those seeking health-related information, including daily COVID-19 updates from the Oregon Health Authority at https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19.
Business Resources
Business Oregon has translated its fact sheet on COVID-19 Business Survival Tips into Spanish.
The National Main Street Center is offering a series of webinars to support local businesses and communities. Sessions will cover national policy and best local practices related to Main Street America during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Oregon Health Authority has a fact sheet for the restaurants, food carts and other food service operations that remain open for takeout and delivery service.
The Oregon Department of Revenue has guidance on COVID-19 tax relief options, with information on the personal and corporate income tax and the corporate activity tax.
The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network has consolidated COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Funding into one online location. The page is updated daily as information changes and new funding programs are identified.
The U.S. Small Business Association and the Outdoor Industry Association are holding a webinar at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, March 31. Webinar details and registration is available here.
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership has COVID-19 resources, including information on managing supply chains, business continuity and financial resources.
The U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees.
The State of Oregon has created a simple business quiz that can help owners determine if their business is essential for purposes of complying with Governor Kate Brown’s recent executive order.
The Small Business Administration has approved Oregon’s request for a disaster declaration, making Oregon businesses eligible for favorable loans under the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
The United States Department of Labor has provided guidelines for employers on implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Materials include a fact sheet for employers, a fact sheet for employees and a Questions and Answers document.
Worker and Unemployment Resources
The Oregon Employment Department is working hard to ensure people have access to the most current guidance for employers, workers, and job seekers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Information continues to change daily, including where and how to apply for unemployment insurance benefits and eligibility requirements. Please visit the department’s COVID-19 employment-related web page for the latest information.
The Oregon Employment Department continues to respond to questions related to layoffs, work-hour reductions and unemployment claims. As conditions change daily, the department encourages people to visit its COVID-19 employment page for the most current information.
Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Division has an online form for workers who have a concern or complaint about an employer’s compliance with COVID-19 workplace restrictions.
Restaurant workers impacted by COVID-19 can apply April 2 for a one-time, $500 grant to use towards housing, transportation, utilities, child-care, groceries, medical bills and/or student loans. These grants will be administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Oregon Employment Department said in a news release that it received more than 76,500 unemployment claims during the week of March 15. The number of new claims continues to increase this week.
The Oregon Department of Revenue announced an extension for Oregon tax filing and payment deadlines for personal income taxes, among other taxes. The state changes closely follow the IRS extension declaration. The department has created FAQs to explain the changes for taxpayers.
Cities and Counties
USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep its customers, partners, and stakeholders continually updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America.
Travel Oregon has created an online form to capture feedback on how to best meet the needs of the 115,000 Oregonians who are directly employed in the tourism industry.
The International Economic Development Council is offering a free webinar from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30 to explain a range of federal programs and resources to help businesses respond to and recover from the pandemic. Register here.
Oregon licensed healthcare professionals looking to volunteer in the fight against COVID-19 can find more information on this Oregon Health Authority site. The site also has information on how out-of-state medical professionals can register to help.
FEMA has a new webpage with information to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also seeks your help in stopping the spread of disinformation.
Policy and Legislation
Governor Kate Brown tightens social distancing measures, tells Oregonians to “Stay Home, Save Lives”: Governor Kate Brown today issued Executive Order 20-12, directing everyone in Oregon to stay at home to the maximum extent possible and adding to the list of businesses that will be temporarily closed to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. The order is effective immediately, and remains in effect until ended by the Governor.
Governor Kate Brown issues order to stop residential evictions during COVID-19 crisis: Governor Kate Brown on Sunday issued Executive Order 20-11, placing a temporary moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment in light of the public health emergency caused by the spread of coronavirus in Oregon. The order is effective for 90 days.
The Oregon Legislature’s Joint Special Committee On Coronavirus Response met March 24. The agenda and meeting materials are available, with a recording log of the session to follow.
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis has a new post about the number of state and federal unemployment insurance claims and the outlook moving forward.
The support available to small businesses in the Coronavirus relief packages is summarized in this report from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.
The Oregon Health Authority released its statewide action plan to dramatically bolster the state’s ability to treat people with COVID-19 illness who need hospital care.
The Oregon Health Authority’s latest Oregon COVID-19 Situational Status Report tracks a wide range of state data on the pandemic.
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis explores the statewide economic fallout from COVID-19 and looks at various recovery scenarios, using existing data and historic precedence as a guide.
Oregon State Police on Tuesday issued FAQs to answer common enforcement questions related to Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-12, known as “Stay Home, Save Lives.” The document clarifies what the order means for Oregonians and how Oregon State Police will help enforce measures taken in the order.
The Institute for Disease Modeling released an in-depth analysis of the impact of social distancing measures on COVID-19 rates of infection. The model predicts a decrease in the number of active infections in Oregon by May 8, with health care systems likely to be overburdened by late April without sustained interventions to keep the number of infections under control. Read the full report and analysis here.
Non-Profit Organizations
The Oregon Community Foundation provides funds through the Oregon Small Business Stabilization Fund to nonprofit organization in Oregon that provide loans or grants to small businesses affected by COVID-19. Grants will be awarded to community lending organizations or other nonprofit intermediaries. Small businesses are not eligible to receive these funds.
Oregon Housing and Community Services has a COVID-19 landing page, with information a range of housing-related information. The page also provides new information on the announcement by the state’s three largest utilities to suspend disconnection and late fees due to the pandemic.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly updates its COVID-19 resource page with information about farm workers, animal health, food safety and more.
USDA Rural Development has extended the loan application deadline for two rural grants due to COVID-19. These include the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The page also explains other USDA Rural Development programs to help rural Oregon.
