In Case You Missed It...

This week at CBPP, we focused on the economy, the federal budget, federal taxes, state budgets and taxes, food assistance, and health.

On the economy, Sharon Parrott, Aviva Aron-Dine, Michael Leachman, Chad Stone, Dottie Rosenbaum, LaDonna Pavetti, Peggy Bailey, Chuck Marr, and Kathleen Romig called for an immediate and robust policy response in the face of COVID-19’s grave risks to the economy. Robert Greenstein, Heather Boushey (Washington Center for Equitable Growth), Neera Tanden (Center for American Progress), and Felicia Wong (Roosevelt Institute) noted that the deficit and debt shouldn’t factor into the coronavirus recession response. Chye-Ching Huang and Stone recommended that America’s response include urgent fiscal policy measures to address financial hardship and stave off a severe recession. We also updated our backgrounders on unemployment insurance and on how many weeks of unemployment compensation are available, and our chart book tracking the post-Great Recession economy.
On the federal budget, Paul N. Van de Water found that a proposed GOP response to the coronavirus pandemic is woefully inadequate. We also updated our backgrounder on non-defense discretionary programs.
On federal taxes, Marr urged policymakers considering fixing an error in the 2017 tax law that affects the restaurant and retail industries as part of a stimulus package to help those industries’ workers as well.
On state budget and taxes, Michael Leachman and Jennifer Sullivan warned that some states are much better prepared than others for the widely expected recession sparked by COVID-19.
On food assistance, Rosenbaum highlighted that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act will strengthen states’ ability to address rising food needs. Zoë Neuberger pointed out that governors’ coronavirus plans must protect nutrition for pregnant women and young children.

Rosenbaum, Neuberger, Ed Bolen, and Stacy Dean urged states and the Department of Agriculture to act swiftly to deliver food assistance allowed by the Families First Act. We updated our state-by-state fact sheets on who benefits from SNAP.
On health, Jennifer Wagner urged Medicaid agencies to prioritize enrolling people in Medicaid and making sure they stay enrolled during the COVID-19 emergency.