The COVID-19 crisis has prompted unique responses by federal, state, and local governments. This legislative update provides a brief snapshot of some key state and federal policy areas CCOF is monitoring.
Programa de ayuda alimentaria del USDA contra el coronavirus
El jueves 14 de mayo, el USDA organizó un seminario web para presentar a los productores el proceso de solicitud del Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria contra el Coronavirus (CFAP). La grabación del webinar puede verse a través de Zoom. El USDA ha comunicado que publicará las solicitudes en breve. El sitio web del CFAP contiene instrucciones iniciales para preparar a los productores a presentar la solicitud, entre ellas ponerse en contacto con la oficina local de la Agencia de Servicios Agrícolas (FSA) y facilitar la siguiente información:
- Póngase en contacto con
- Información personal, incluido su número de identificación fiscal
- Estructura de explotación agrícola
- Renta bruta ajustada para garantizar la admisibilidad
- Depósito directo para permitir el procesamiento de pagos
Please visit the Sitio web del CFAP and keep updated with CCOF Action Alerts and blog posts for programmatic updates.
Federal Legislation: Heroes Act
On Friday, May 15, the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act, a $3 trillion bill that outlines Congressional Democrats’ priorities in this round of Coronavirus relief negotiations. A key provision in the bill is an additional $16.5 billion in direct relief to farmers which would supplement the $16 billion USDA has yet to release through CFAP. The proposed relief would allow farmers to claim losses in the second quarter of 2020. The current round of funding will only cover first-quarter losses.
California Governor’s Office
On May 14, California Governor Gavin Newsom released a revision to his 2020 budget with significant cuts to balance the budget from spending on COVID-19. Proposed cuts include Climate Smart Agriculture programs and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). The revised budget includes a $34.4 million, or 10 percent, reduction in General Fund support for the University of California, including UC ANR. The revised budget also removes a $20 million general fund allocation for State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Grants that was included in the governor’s January budget.
The governor announced executive orders that expand benefits to essential workers. Un pedido allows essential workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job to access workers’ compensation benefits. Otro pedido expands paid sick leave benefits for food sector workers at companies with great than 500 employees. Governor Newsom also sent a carta to Secretary Jared Blumenfeld of the California Environmental Protection Agency, directing the agency to work on strong pesticide regulation enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor highlighted the importance of growing a strong, climate smart agricultural economy while protecting public health.