The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released a preliminary estimate of the budgetary effects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). CBO estimates “that the act will increase federal deficits by about $1.8 trillion”. “Although the act provides financial assistance totaling more than $2 trillion, the…
President Trump Unveils Plan to ‘Reopen’ America
April 16, 2020
President Trump has released his administration’s plan to reopen America. President Trump’s proposal for reopening the United States, titled Opening Up America Again, first lays out a set of parameters states must satisfy before proceeding with a three-phase plan. The parameters include a downward trajectory of “covid-like” symptoms and documented…
SBA Runs Out of Emergency Coronavirus Money for Small Businesses
April 16, 2020
The Small Business Association says it “is unable to accept new applications at this time for the… COVID-19 related assistance program… based on available appropriations funding.” The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, contained “$376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses” through new Paycheck Protection…
U.S. Loosens Regulations on Immigrant Workers to Help Agricultural Companies
April 16, 2020
The United States’ Department of Homeland Security and Department of Agriculture are changing H-2A regulations “to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain, and lessen impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency”. H-2A regulations allow U.S. employers “to bring foreign…