Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Friday, March 27, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Friday, March 27, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Congressional delegation says billions in relief coming to Alaska

Everything from student loans to stimulus checks

Alaska is set to get its share of the $2 trillion stimulus package recently approved by Congress, the state’s congressional delegation said during a teleconference Monday evening.

“All elected officials are working very closely on this unprecedented crisis,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaking from Washington, D.C. The delegation discussed the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, (CARES) that will inject vast amounts of funds into America’s economy.

The bill will provide roughly $1.2 billion to states for “coronavirus-related matters,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Those funds could be used for things as diverse as additional funding for municipalities who are lacking revenue because of a diminished tourism industry or a school district purchasing laptops to enable students to learn remotely.

Funds can be made available “as long it is tied back to the coronavirus,” Murkowski said.

Checks would be sent out to individuals, Murkowski said, but when that will happen is an open question. Congress had initially wanted checks to go out as soon as April 6 but were told by the U.S. Treasury Department that date was not feasible. Those who file or filed their 2019 taxes electronically were likely to receive their payments sooner than paper filers, Murkowski said.

“The heart and soul of this legislation is the $350 billion guaranteed loans through local banks and credit unions,” Sullivan said. The intent was to have small businesses maintain payroll, pay rent on buildings they occupy and continue to pay benefits to employees. The legislation defined small business broadly, Sullivan said, to help expand the reach of the funds.

While the CARES Act was the largest stimulus package in the history of the United States, it may still be necessary for Congress to provide additional payments, Sullivan said.

“We’re going to analyze the impacts of this bill,” Sullivan said. “Implementation is going to be really important, and then we’ll look at if we need more funding.”

The number of COVID-19 cases in the state had risen to 119 as of Monday evening, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said. The City and Borough of Juneau announced the capital city’s fifth case was confirmed Sunday evening. Seven people who tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalized, Dunleavy said.

Even with massive stimulus packages, Congress and the Legislature may need to appropriate even more funds to help people weather the economic fallout caused by the crisis.

“There is much in this CARES act that is designed for individual benefits,” Murkowski said. “My sense is that people have been impacted so quickly, so dramatically, when we say prepare and save, none of us could have anticipated we would be here talking about a global pandemic.”

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnoEmpire.

Information on the coronavirus is available from websites for the City and Borough of Juneau, the State of Alaska at coronavirus.alaska.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to contact their health care provider.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast for the week of March 18

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A board in the House Chambers at the Alaska State Capitol shows Monday’s vote tally of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 140, one vote short of the two-thirds necessary. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Legislature fails by a single vote of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education bill

Legislators warn bad blood may hamper other issues as numerous Republicans abandon earlier support.

With COVID-19 aid, more schools gave students and families experiencing homelessness prepaid cards to buy necessities like groceries and gas. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
Grocery cards and car repairs: How COVID aid changed the way schools can help homeless kids

Juneau student services specialist among those finding creative ways to provide assistance.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturay, March 16, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, March 15, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Veto override vote on education bill expected to have consequences — and no assurance of extra funds

Retaliation by governor, fractured relationships within Legislature on other issues among concerns.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, March 14, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. Threats to the watershed and other sites were cited by the Environmental Protection Agency when it issued a decision barring permitting of the Pebble mine. But the Dunleavy administration and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. have taken legal action to try to reverse that decision. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency
State lawsuit claims federal government owes Alaska $700 billion for quashing Pebble mine

The federal government owes Alaska more than $700 billion in compensation for… Continue reading

Tongass National Forest (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)
New Department of Interior opinion promises to recognize expanded tribal jurisdiction in Alaska

Tribes can exert jurisdiction over allotments granted to individual Natives, opinion states.

Most Read