COVID-19 Update: House Republican Proposals, Mortgage Payment Relief, CARES Act, and More

House Republicans Offer Proposals to Help with COVID-19 Response

I commend the governor, his staff, and administration for their tireless work throughout this crisis. Now is the time for the entire state to come together. As your elected officials, it is our responsibility to support and guide Connecticut residents, hospitals, businesses, schools, towns, and nonprofits through this pandemic.

The feedback I have received from many of you has been immensely helpful. Your constructive suggestions and proposed solutions will help your state government’s responsiveness to the needs of the people as this situation evolves. Based on the input we have received from all over the state, my House Republican colleagues and I sent a letter to the governor yesterday with a number of proposals intended to help Connecticut residents and businesses.

This list of proposals includes a cap on the unemployment tax rate for businesses, business interruption compensation, relief from penalties on late property tax payments, a temporary halt on local plastic bag restrictions, assistance with student loan interest rates, help for our first responders and healthcare professionals who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty, and more.

House Republican Coronavirus Proposals: Click Here

Please continue to contact me about your concerns and suggestions. I will do everything I can to help, and we may offer more proposals to the governor as we receive them.

Governor Lamont Announces Mortgage Payment Relief

Governor Lamont announced yesterday that his administration has reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to residents and businesses facing financial hardship in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The following policies were negotiated with participating financial institutions:

• 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments

• Relief from fees and charges for 90 days

• No new foreclosures for 60 days

• No credit score changes

Read the governor’s press release: Click Here

Latest news from the governor’s office: Click Here

Governor’s Executive Orders: Click Here

CARES Act: Assistance for Individuals, Families, and Businesses

Over the weekend, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law by President Trump. Overall, this bill helps American families and businesses by expanding unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits, making available loans to small businesses, and by making direct payments to qualified households that fall under a certain income threshold.

Here are some resources that will help you navigate this extensive stimulus package:

• Guide from the CT DECD: Click Here

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide: Click Here

• Summary of CARES Act from the Tax Foundation: Click Here

• Overview of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP): Click Here

• PPP Application: Click Here

• PPP Borrower’s Guide: Click Here

If you are a business owner who is considering applying for a loan through PPP, please note that there is a funding cap.

For small businesses (500 employees or fewer) and sole proprietorships, applications will be accepted beginning April 3^rd, 2020.

For independent contractors and self-employed individuals, applications will be accepted beginning April 10^th, 2020.

Additional Resources

As a reminder, these are the best resource pages from our federal, state, and local governments that are updated regularly:

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Click Here

• State of Connecticut Web Portal: Click Here

• FAQ Document from Governor’s Office: Click Here

As always, never hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns about the state and local response to the COVID-19 crisis, or any state government issue. I am more than happy to speak with you directly, provide more information if possible, and to be a resource for you and your families.

Email: Brian.Lanoue@cga.ct.gov

Best,

State Rep. Brian Lanoue

45^th General Assembly District

Griswold, Lisbon, Plainfield, Sterling, Voluntown