Colorado Special Session
Governor Jared Polis has issued an executive order for a special session of the legislature to begin on November 30th.
With no agreement on future aid from Congress, Polis said the state could not wait for the federal government to get its act together on coronavirus relief.
Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg echoed that idea in a conversation with Colorado Ag Today.
Greenberg: “Unlike when the virus was the worst in the spring when we did have federal support for families, for small businesses, for food pantries, we don’t have that support coming in anymore. The spike we’re seeing right now in the pandemic is the worst we’ve seen to date. In calling the special session, the governor is indicating the urgency around the financial needs of Colorado families and small businesses. I think the legislature has acknowledged that as well. From our vantage point at the Department of Ag, we are concerned about our family businesses in food and agriculture but of course, our neighbors and friends and colleagues all across Colorado and particularly rural Colorado who might not be directly involved in agriculture but who are still part of our communities and when they’re struggling, we’re struggling.”
The Governor is looking for a state stimulus package for a long list of needs including; tax breaks and direct assistance for small businesses, support for the food pantry assistance program, expanding broadband and Wi-Fi access for school students and teachers. grants for child care providers, assistance with utility bills, and housing and rental assistance. The Governor indicated he is looking for a stimulus of $300-400 million. If state lawmakers can agree, the special session could last just three days.
