Relief bill talks edge forward
Clouds dot the landscape in this view from the afternoon shade of North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vermont, on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Talks on pandemic relief legislation in Congress have made some progress, but there’s much more work to be done.
That was the first weekend update on these important negotiations, which many Americans hope will lead to more unemployment support, further aid for struggling businesses and financial help for states. Meanwhile, the enhanced federal unemployment benefit of $600 per week has expired, impacting 30 million Americans and adding urgency to the negotiations. That gap in emergency assistance and concerns over rental evictions are central issues to the talks.
On Saturday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows met for over three hours with Democratic leaders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“I think we would characterize the discussions as the most productive we’ve had to date,” said Mnuchin said, speaking to reporters.
Schumer and Pelosi agreed with that assessment in their comments to the media after the meeting.
“I’d call it: progress, but a ways to go,” Schumer said.
Jarring economic news added urgency to these talks as well. Statistics have been troubling, but none more so than the recently announced plunge in gross domestic product of 32.9 percent, between April and June. That’s the nation’s largest decline in GDP since the 1940s — and a reflection of the toll the pandemic has taken on the economy. It’s also a stark reminder that efforts to address the pandemic, and their effectiveness, are tied to economic health.
On that note, Vermont continues to have the lowest COVID-19 caseload in the nation. After halting reopening efforts for weeks amid national surges in cases, the state increased the capacity limit on retail stores from 25 to 50 percent on Saturday. That was the same day Vermont’s statewide mask mandate went into effect.
Gov. Phil Scott announced the capacity limit increase on Friday, noting the state’s COVID-19 data and the start of the mask requirement.
“While we still have much more work to do to reopen our economy, I still think the cautious approach we’re taking is the right one,” Scott said.
The governor also announced that the state’s emergency response team will be distributing 200,000 free masks to towns, emergency responders and community partners throughout Vermont.
Clearly, much depends on the next federal relief package. Businesses, individuals and states require much more assistance to move forward in the current environment. Fortunately, though, on the health front, Vermont continues to hold firmly to its progress against the coronavirus. That is hopeful news as schools move ahead on their reopening plans to start the academic year on Sept. 8.
As that process continues, the impact of continued visitor traffic into the Green Mountains will be on many minds. But so far, the state and so many communities have shown thoughtful, measured and steady leadership, and Vermonters have banded together to keep each other safe. Those efforts can still have a powerful impact and help meet the challenges of the coming weeks, for everyone’s good.
— Gareth Henderson
