March 28, 2020
The Honorable Steven Mnuchin
Secretary of the Treasury
U.S. Department of Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Dear Secretary Mnuchin:
Thank you for working with Congressional leadership to secure a bipartisan agreement in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748, the CARES Act) at such a critical time.
On behalf of the National Governors Association, I am writing regarding implementation of the Coronavirus Relief Fund in Title V, Division A.
Speed and flexibility are key to making the Coronavirus Relief Fund work for the states and territories. Specifically, governors are seeking a streamlined process and clear rules that adopt a broad interpretation of the permitted uses of Coronavirus Relief Funds, so that states may determine the best use related to public health impacts and economic downturn caused by the virus.
We respectfully request that Treasury issue, within the next week, guidance for states outlining Treasury’s interpretation of the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Such guidance should avoid imposing unnecessarily onerous reporting requirements on states.
We also ask that you designate a senior Treasury official to serve as the point of contact for state officials on issues arising from the distribution of Coronavirus Relief Funds and state uses thereof. We would like to discuss this request and other concerns we are hearing about interpretation of the new law.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Bill McBride
Executive Director
National Governors Association
