Panetta: More help is coming with small business aid and direct checks
SALINAS, Calif. (KION)
"I think we all know it's going to get worse before it gets better," Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) tells KION.
Panetta spoke with KION shortly after Governor Gavin Newsom's office published a bombshell letter he sent to President Trump. In the letter, he requests "immediate deployment of the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship to the Port of Los Angeles through September 1, 2020." The reason why? Newsom says they believe 56 percent of California's population (25.5 million people) will be infected with COVID-19 in an eight-week span.
Panetta agreed that we should be looking at Defense Department tools to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, with confirmed cases this week in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. However, in Washington, he says Congress is making sure the funds are available for states and local communities to get resources to the public.
He touts the recent passing and signing of the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act," which is highlighted by its promise of free COVID-19 testing and proving paid sick leave, along with financial help for people who have to leave work to be home with their children who are out of school.
"Additionally, it strengthened food security initiatives with more funds for food stamps, making sure that there are these continued meals for students who aren't in school and seniors can have access to this food - and it also supports our local food banks," Panetta says.
However, this plan does not cover everyone. Right now Congress is considering the idea of sending a check right to people's homes, with Senate Republicans unveiling their plan on Thursday. The plan would give "recovery rebates" up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for couples beneath a certain income threshold. Panetta says he doesn't think everyone should get this "direct assistance," but people who have lost revenue or make less than a certain amount in their salary would qualify. However, it shouldn't stop there.
"We can't just put all our eggs in one basket. We can't just rely on checks, [with] money going to families. We have to make sure that we support them in other avenues - paid leave [and] paid family leave. It's about the employees and employers, and continuing to guarantee loans for small businesses.
He says a third bill, which includes the direct assistance, will come in the next two weeks. In it, Panetta's wish list includes, "anything from penalty waivers from debt and mortgage obligations, increased federal disaster grants for affected small businesses, zero interest guaranteed loans for affected small businesses... I am going to make sure that those small businesses in our hospitality industry are part of that discussion and get the assistance necessary especially with the employers and employees in these small businesses."
Small businesses, including restaurants, tell KION they have been hurt by the local "shelter-in-place" orders, which are crucial to stopping community spread of COVID-19. Some say they have already had to lay off workers.
Another step Congressman Panetta says needs to happen is mobilizing the National Guard.
"This is a disaster that doesn't draw people out. We are asking them to stay home. So although ( 2nd Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County) has enough food, the executive director of that food bank said they need people. That's why I called for the National Guard to help out going into the food bank and then delivering the food to people that need it the most and in our community," he tells KION.
On Tuesday, Governor Newsom placed the National Guard "on alert."
You can find all of KION's continuing coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic here.
