Rep. Ron Estes
U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS) this week encouraged the Kansas governor’s office and all local governments in his home state to collaborate and ensure Kansans’ needs are met with federal funds coming from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Kansas will receive a total of $1.25 billion from the $150 billion fund set up by Congress under the CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, for states, territories, tribal governments, and qualifying local governments.
“The congressional intent in appropriating these funds is that they be distributed by the state government to various state agencies and to local governments,” Rep. Estes wrote in an April 13 letter sent to local government entities throughout Kansas, calling the additional funds “great news” for the state.
In addition, the congressman noted that local governments having a population of at least 500,000 may elect to receive assistance directly from the U.S. Treasury Department, and in Kansas, only Sedgwick County government and Johnson County government are eligible to do so.
Rep. Estes wrote that once the funds are distributed to the state on April 24, the governor’s office will be responsible for further distribution of monies to local governments.
“The intent of Congress is to support state and local government as much as possible during this crisis,” Rep. Estes wrote. “The state of Kansas is receiving a massive level of funding in the current structure. I want to encourage all levels of our state and local governments to work together in a manner and response equal to the situation we are facing.
“I have the utmost faith that Kansans and our state will be able to come together as a community and get through this hard time,” added the congressman.