In this newsletter:
Persistent Economic Devastation Facing Working-class Immigrant, Black, and Brown Communities Due to COVID-19
The levels of COVID-19 infections and deaths in working-class immigrant, Black, and Brown communities in New York have declined since the virus’s peak, but economic devastation remains. Read the newly released report from Hester Street and Make the Road NY, “150 Days Later: Unemployed and Excluded and coverage of the report in the Daily News.
Women and Girls of Color Do More with Less
The Ms. Foundation for Women, which was a panelist for our sustainable nonprofits series yesterday, recently released a report, Pocket Change: How Women and Girls of Color Do More with Less. The report found giving to women and girls of color accounts for 0.5% of $66.9 Billion by foundations, totaling just $5.48 per woman and girl of color in the United States.
Federal Updates
Unemployment insurance and nonprofits - Partial UI Fix Enacted
Congress passed and the President signed the Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act (S.4209), the bill to override the Labor Department requirement that self-insured nonprofits must pay 100% of benefits costs upfront and get reimbursed by their states later.
The Labor Department updated its guidance for reimbursing employers to make clear that nonprofits do not have to pay 100 percent of the costs of unemployment claims. The new guidance, UIPL 18-20, Change 1, states: “Under the amendments made by the Protecting Nonprofits Act [S. 4209], states are required to use the transfer of federal funds provided under [the CARES Act] exclusively to reduce the amount required to be paid by reimbursing employers in lieu of contributions.”
Next Federal Stimulus
On July 27, the Senate introduced the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability, and Schools Act (HEALS Act). The $1 trillion HEALS Act is very different from the $3 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) the House passed on May 15. This chart compares the competing proposals.
August 8th Executive Actions
On August 8 the President issued a series of executive orders. The orders: revise the supplemental $600 unemployment benefit to $400, $100 of which would be paid by states; allow for the deferral of payroll taxes; provide that HHS, the CDC, and HUD shall consider measures to halt residential evictions; and continue student loan payment relief during COVID-19.PPP
As of August 10, loan forgiveness applications are being accepted. SBA issued updated FAQs on forgiveness on August 4 related to timing issues for expenses and interpreting what counts as payroll and nonpayroll expenses. On August 11 SBA and Treasury issued additional guidance and FAQs that confirm vision and dental benefits as eligible payroll expenses. See the loan application and instructionsIRS SALT Regulations on Charitable Deductions
The IRS announced final regulations on August 11 that incorporate previous guidance for determining when taxpayers can and cannot deduct the full value of charitable donations that also generate state or local tax credits. Learn more about the original guidance issued in June 2019.Census
The Census Bureau announced that it plans to end field operations September 30, one month ahead of what the Bureau had announced as necessary. On August 18 at 10:00 am join a briefing on how community organizations and grassroots advocates can exercise leadership and oversight during the Non-Response Follow-up phase of the 2020 Census.Trump Administration Rule Restricting Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family Leave Voided
On August 3 a U.S. judge voided parts of a Trump administration rule that restricted paid sick leave and emergency family leave for millions of workers affected by COVID-19. State Updates
Prompt Contracts and Prompt Payments laws still suspended
EO- 202.55 extends order 202.48, which suspends the state’s prompt contracts and prompt payments laws, until September 4.State Budget Deficit, Withholding Payments, and Revenue raisers
The state's budget deficit has grown to over $14B. Nonprofits are receiving 20% reduction letters for vouchers, in accordance with the Supplement to the Annual Information Statement dated June 3, 2020. The state funded portion of claims submitted for periods 4/1/20 and beyond will be reduced by 20%. Costs should continue to be incurred at 100%, the state funded portion of the claim will be reimbursed at 80%, while the remaining 20% is under review.The Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker announced they created a revenue working group to identify legislation to raise revenue for the state.
Eviction Moratorium Extended
Governor Cuomo extended the state’s moratorium on evictions another 30 days, issuing an executive order being reviewed by the Office of Court Administration.Schools and childcare
Governor Cuomo announced that based on each region's infection rate, schools across New York State are permitted to open. Currently every region's infection rate is below the threshold necessary by the State's standards to open schools.Unemployment
The New York State Department of Labor announced two benefit extensions:
Westchester County Updates
County Executive’s Reopening Task Force
The task force meets weekly to address the needs of the business and nonprofit sectors. The #Fight4NY campaign is focused on advocacy for Federal Stimulus funding. Read the letter here: Letter to New York’s Congressional Delegation.
Office of Economic Development
Funding and loan opportunities through the Office of Economic Development are expected to be announced shortly.
County Contracting
The county continues to keep nonprofit contracts whole as agencies continue to pivot to make certain that out most vulnerable populations are served.
@ 2021 Nonprofit Association of Westchester, Inc. |