17 West Virginia Non-profits Call on Governor Justice to reallocate remaining CARES Act funding

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVVA) – As part of federal COVID-relief legislation passed in March, West Virginia received $1.25 billion to address the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

As of October 19, there is still over $969 million remaining unspent with a December 30 deadline for utilizing the funds.

Governor Justice’s current proposal would send $587 million to the state’s unemployment trust fund.

WV United, a group of nonprofits and community advocates in the state, have been advocating for different use of these funds.

Recently, members of the group sent a letter to Governor Justice, asking for him to re-evaluate his plan and offered  a people-centered proposal on how this money can be spent to address the hardships so many West Virginians are facing.

The full letter to governor Justice can be viewed here.

“Our state’s most vulnerable citizens are facing hunger and homelessness through lay-offs and evictions,” commented Gary Zuckett, Director of WV Citizen Action, “Federal CARES funds now in the hands of our governor need to make it to these folks to avoid preventable Covid casualties and human suffering.“

READ ARTICLE: https://wvva.com/2020/10/20/17-west-virginia-non-profits-call-on-governor-justice-to-reallocate-remaining-cares-act-funding/