Louisiana GOP lawmakers divert $300 million in coronavirus aid for localities to businesses

BATON ROUGE — Republican lawmakers moved ahead Thursday with plans to carve out $300 million in federal coronavirus aid that Gov. John Bel Edwards wants to steer to local government agencies to instead create a small business assistance program.

The Democratic governor intended to use an $811 million slice of federal aid from Congress to reimburse local government agencies — sheriff’s offices, city councils, school districts and more — for their coronavirus expenses.

The House voted 73-25 for legislation that would divvy up that money differently, steering $511 million to municipal government expenses and spending $300 million on grants to small businesses damaged by the virus, under a program that would be managed by Republican Treasurer John Schroder.

“It's about the thousands and thousands of people that small businesses employ,” said Republican Rep. Tony Bacala of Prairieville.

Read more: https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/28/louisiana-republican-lawmakers-divert-funds-local-government-businesses/5279616002/
(Monroe News Star)