IN APRIL 16’S FINAL READING:
— The Paycheck Protection Program is officially out of money, President of the Vermont Bankers Association Chris D’Elia told senators on an all-caucus call this morning. Vermonters got a good chunk of money from the program — $853.7 million was allocated to small businesses in the Green Mountain State.
Vermont was third in the nation for the amount of PPP awarded per capita, D’Elia said. But more relief is needed for small businesses, which is why Congress is currently working out a deal to put more money into the program. D’Elia said a deal may get worked out tomorrow, or next week.
“I don’t have any doubt in my mind there will be a second round,” D’Elia said. “There has to be.” – Grace Elletson
— Rep. Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington, told the House Human Services Committee she chairs that by Tuesday, there will be two plans on the table for how to handle in-person visitation between parents and their children who are in foster care custody during the pandemic. The Department for Children and Families limited visits last month.
The committee could back DCF’s Covid-19 policies for visits with an informal directive. The second plan would require the Legislature to pass language that would advise the judiciary that if a parent challenges DCF’s protocols in court, judges should favor public health protocols.
The idea to limit in-person visitations between children and parents during the Covid-19 crisis has raised concern among officials and advocates, which is why Pugh said the committee plans to continue taking testimony on the topic before making a final decision. – Grace Elletson
— Senate Finance Chair Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, is concerned about “giving towns blanket authority” in a Senate bill that would allow municipalities to push back property tax deadlines without a town-wide vote.
She said she was open to towns abating individual residents’ property tax burdens. But giving the towns the authority to categorically push back deadlines could result in a lot less revenue for the statewide education fund. “I think if they do it on an individual basis, it’s fine. But if they do it on a town-wide, we’re just going to postpone,” Cummings said.
“That means some people who can pay, won’t pay. And we need to make sure we’re getting as much money in here as we can.” – Xander Landen
— Family members of children with disabilities who qualify for personal care services, but can’t access an in-home provider because of the Covid-19 pandemic, can be compensated for the extra work they’re doing to support their child.
Monica Caserta Hutt, commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, told House Human Services that the Agency of Human Services requested a waiver from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare to provide this compensation to families during the pandemic. The payments will last for the duration of the federal state of emergency. – Grace Elletson
— House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare held another joint session today to hear from community hospital directors about the sustainability of their operations. For most, the situation is dire.
Devon Green, vice president of government relations of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, said the hospitals she works with were fragile before the pandemic. The pause of elective procedures, which are a substantial source of money, has particularly been a blow.
“Considering that about half of our hospitals were in the red going into this, it’s really detrimental to our entire system,” Green said.
Brian Nall, president of North Country Hospital, said his hospital has had to furlough 135 employees, or 30% of the staff, because of financial stresses. He said the hospital also closed its neurology clinic. – Grace Elletson
