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COVID-19 Public Policy Update: April 3, 2020

Published Apr 03, 2020 by Taylor Landin

Washington, D.C.

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Partnership will provide a daily update on public policies and other newsworthy items from local, state and national levels of government.

Executive Summary 
All levels of government continue to respond to the economic and public health impacts of COVID-19. At the federal level, the Department of the Treasury and the Small Business Administration issued guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program, the $350 billion initiative through the CARES Act to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. At the state level, Governor Greg Abbott waived some regulations for emergency medical service (EMS) providers, including some license and application renewal requirements to increase EMS worker availability. At the local level, Houston ISD has announced plans to resume meal distribution this Monday and will provide about 500 meals at 4-5 sites daily. 

Federal 
Paycheck Protection Program Launched on Friday

  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. On Thursday evening, the Department of the Treasury and Small Business Administration issued guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program. The guidance, sample application and other key resources can be found here:

House Committee on Coronavirus Oversight 

  •  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is creating a House Select Committee on the coronavirus response, which will be chaired by Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. 
  • The committee’s focus is stated to be the current status of the federal pandemic response and looking forward, not to address the initial response. However, the Speaker commented there will be a time for review of the initial response at a later date.  
  • The committee will be charged with examining the federal response while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and to save lives, deliver relief, and benefit the economy. The committee will have subpoena power according to the Speaker.  
  • Speaker’s Press Release announcing committee formation.

 Unemployment  

  • Approximately 6.65 million Americans have filed for unemployment last week, bringing the total claims for the last two weeks to almost 10 million.  

Direct Payments to Americans

  •  Within two weeks the first direct deposits will be made.  
  • Social security recipients will not have to file a new tax return. They will qualify for the payment. If one does not have direct deposit, a portal will be made available to provide a process to receive the payment. 

Numbers

  •  As of Tuesday afternoon, Johns Hopkins University is reporting over 230,000 cases, and over 5,700 deaths.  

State 

  • Governor Greg Abbott waived some regulations for emergency medical service (EMS) providers, including some license and application renewal requirements in an effort to increase EMS worker availability. 

Numbers 

  • As of noon on April 2: 4,669 cases in Texas. 70 deaths. 143 counties reporting cases. 50,679 tests administered. 

Public Education 
Houston ISD Food Distribution 

  • Houston ISD has announced plans to resume meal distribution this Monday and will provide about 500 meals at 4-5 sites daily. A map of the food distribution here

Higher Education  
Higher Education Institutions

  • Fall 2020 enrollment forecasts are starting to be reviewed as institutions continue to understand the financial implications of COVID-19.   

Policy Implications 

  • $14 billion of the Education Stabilization Fun within the CARES Act will go directly to institutions based a formula which allocates 75% to the full-time enrollment (FTE) of PELL recipients and 25% of non-PELL FTE.  The formula excludes students who were fully online prior to COVID-19. 

Visit the Partnership's COVID-19 Resource page for updates, guidance for employers and more information. And sign up for daily email alerts from the Partnership as the situation develops. 

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Bill Analysis: Senate's Bi-partisan Teacher Pay Incentive Program (SB 26)

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While the House Public Education Committee discusses its comprehensive school finance reform, the Senate addresses teacher pay incentives as a stand-alone measure. Senate Bill 26 (SB 26) was swiftly voted out of the Senate on February 26 and now awaits consideration by the House. The upper chamber's decision to separate its education funding priorities follows a similar approach from the 2023 legislative session. As the House and Senate exchanged proposals, teacher incentives and school finance measures were frequently adjusted during negotiations. Ultimately, no proposals were passed, leaving about $5 billion in school funding unallocated in state coffers for two years. Despite the different legislative approaches, SB 26's provisions are similar to the teacher incentive proposals in House Bill 2. Below is a topline analysis of the proposed changes in SB 26. Teacher Designation System Changes Expands teacher designations to include a new category: "acknowledged teacher." Allows National Board Certified teachers to be designated as "nationally board certified" instead of "recognized." Sets an expiration date of September 1, 2028, for the designation of National Board Certified teachers. Introduces new criteria for school districts and charter schools to be designated as "Enhanced Teacher Incentive Allotment Schools," requiring: A strategic evaluation system for principals and assistant principals. A performance-based compensation system for teachers and administrators. Promotes the inclusion of all teachers in the teacher designation system, though not all teachers will receive enhanced designations. A locally designed plan to place highly effective teachers in high-needs schools. Changes to Teacher Incentive Allotments Increases funding for teacher designation levels under the incentive program: Master Teacher: Base amount increases to $12,000-$36,000 (previously $12,000-$32,000). Exemplary Teacher: Base amount increases to $9,000-$25,000 (previously $6,000-$18,000). Recognized Teacher: Base amount increases to $5,000-$15,000 (previously $3,000-$9,000). Acknowledged Teacher: New category with allotments ranging from $3,000-$9,000. Adds a 10% funding boost for schools designated as Enhanced Teacher Incentive Allotment Schools. New Teacher Retention Allotment Provides additional salary incentives for teachers based on years of experience. Small districts (≤5,000 students) $5,000/year for teachers with 3-5 years of experience. $10,000/year for teachers with 5+ years of experience. Larger districts (>5,000 students): $2,500/year for teachers with 3-5 years of experience. $5,500/year for teachers with 5+ years of experience. Ensures districts use the funding for salary increases in the 2025-26 school year and maintain them in subsequent years. Grant Program for Local Teacher Designation Systems Establishes a grant program to help districts expand local teacher designation systems. Aims to increase the number of teachers eligible for designations. Grants will be tailored to meet district-specific needs and support regional leadership capacity. Teacher Liability Insurance & Rights Protection Requires the state education agency to contract with a third party to provide: Assistance in understanding teacher rights, duties, and benefits. Liability insurance coverage for teachers against third-party claims related to their teaching duties. Prohibits districts from interfering with teachers’ access to these services. Changes to Salary Deductions for Teacher Organizations Modifies rules for payroll deductions for professional organization dues: Allows deductions for entities providing liability insurance services. Simplifies payroll deduction procedures by removing the need for employees to specify the number of pay periods for deductions. Pre-Kindergarten Eligibility Expansion Expands pre-K eligibility to children of public school classroom teachers employed within the same school district offering pre-K programs. Adjustments to State Funding for School Districts Provides additional state aid adjustments to help districts maintain financial stability when transitioning under new funding rules. The House could adopt additional reforms from SB 26 under its House Bill 2, the omnibus school finance reform measure. Click here to review the analysis of HB 2.  For now, SB 26 remains eligible for referral to the House Public Education Committee. These differences in policy approach are an early signal that there will be efforts in each chamber to promote the preferred bill on any given issue. Those negotiations may be elevated to the Big 3 (House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Governor Greg Abbott) for a final compromise.   For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter. 
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She also emphasized how policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and mass deportations could harm Houston’s workforce and economy, stressing the need for immigration reform.  A representative from Congressman Wesley Hunt’s office focused on the critical need for oil and gas policy reform and dredging the Port of Houston, both key priorities for maintaining Houston’s energy leadership and facilitating trade.  Congressman Brian Babin highlighted the Keystone XL pipeline, calling it an essential project for energy independence and job creation. He also stressed the importance of accelerating permitting processes to ensure Houston remains at the forefront of innovation and energy policy.  Congressman Randy Weber called for energy independence and immigration reform, focusing on the need to remove harmful regulations that impede energy development and secure the border. 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