Special Session — 2020
I would like to extend my deep gratitude to all the voters of House District 62 — you have entrusted me to continue to represent and champion rural Colorado.
Colorado small businesses, hardworking families, and students cannot wait any longer for Congress to do its job. While only Washington can provide the kind of comprehensive relief that Colorado communities desperately need, we must do what we can now to:
- Support small businesses
- Help families avoid eviction or foreclosure, keep the lights on, and access safe child care
- And ensure every Coloradan has a fair shot to get through this pandemic and succeed as our state recovers.
We are going to pass bipartisan legislation that helps those who have been hit hardest by the pandemic bridge the gap through the challenging months ahead until there is a vaccine or relief from Washington.
The hard work has begun. I am once again in the Capitol to give a voice to our communities in southern Colorado. I will advocate for small businesses, health care, and education.
These are unprecedented times — that call for extraordinary measures. The special session will include seven bills brought forward by House and Senate Democrats.
Small business relief in the form of delayed tax payments
This will assist small businesses, restaurants, bars, gyms, and movie theaters. The plan will provide bars that offer food, restaurants, and food trucks with a sales tax holiday of between $2,000 to $10,000 per month. Establishments will still collect the state's 2.9% sales tax but will be allowed to keep the money to help pay rent and other business expenses.
Child care support in the form of financial aid
The bill will create two emergency relief grant programs that will begin funding in very early 2021.
Housing and direct rental assistance
$44.5 million would be put into the housing development grant fund within the Department of Local Affairs.
Broadband access
Grants would be used to increase access to broadband service for students, educators, and other staff who lack stable, reliable internet access for online learning.
Food insecurity
The money goes to the food pantry assistance program, which was set up with CARES Act money through House Bill 20-1422. This bill extends the expiration date from Dec. 30, 2020, to Feb. 28, 2021, using the additional $3 million in state funds. Families can use the money to buy food through June 30, 2021, with grants starting at $2,500.
Utility payment assistance
These funds go to the nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Assistance Fund, to meet a 25% increase in applications this year.
Funds to aid Colorado’s health care response to the pandemic
This will appropriate money to the state's disaster emergency fund to help pay for continuing state costs to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
We must all work together to ensure a brighter future for rural Colorado. It is in our nature to reach out and help our neighbors. Now is the time to continue to support one another.
Sincerely,
Representative Donald Valdez
House District 62
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