As the new coronavirus relief package is in the works in Congress, almost 100 Texas mayors are pressing for more funding to address their budget losses due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Texas received $11 billion as funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the funds were distributed among the state, counties, and cities.

Some of the Texas mayors said the coronavirus relief would need to be spent before the end of the year for expenditures related to the pandemic response.

They also said the funding does not address government losses because of the lower activity in the economy. Others said there was conflicting information on where they can spend the money on, reported Texas Tribune.

Without a doubt, there will be little spared from the Texas businesses because of the virus. Since March, Texas cities have had hits in revenues because of slowing the economy.

The state's comptroller stated that local sales tax allocations dropped by 11.7%, with an 11.1% drop in cities compared to last year's data.

Ninety-seven Texas mayors signed a letter for the Congress. It said: "The budget calamity looming over local governments is real and it requires extraordinary measures."

The mayors fear that the state and local income will need time to bounce back. They also fear a drop in tax revenue next year if the economy was not stabilized.

They asked for "direct and flexible" aid for their cities. The letter was signed by leaders from urban, suburban, and rural areas in Texas.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a press conference Monday that they are not looking for the likes of pension measures. "We are the infrastructure that supports the public and private sector, and at this point in time, we are needing direct assistance," Turner said.

At Odds on Local Government Aid

When the U.S. House of Representatives approved its $3 trillion aid on top of the CARES Act, it included nearly $1 trillion funding for local governments.

Unlike the CARES Act, though, the proposal does not receive support from both parties in Congress. Washington Post also reported that it has stalled in the Senate.

Earlier this month, Senator John Cornyn said they would be working with mayors, county judges, and governors to see what they need and where they will need help.

NPR reported that one of the main things Congress can't agree upon is the amount of aid that will be given to local governments. The use of aid in an economic downturn is also not agreed upon.

Texas mayors claim they are not clear about whether they can use the funding for other areas that face financial strain.

School Funding Will Be Fulfilled

Despite the losses, the comptroller Glenn Hegar said the state is loyal to their promise in spending billions more on public schools, reported CBS Dallas.

Hegar said Texas has the money to make it happen. "They're very committed to maintaining the public education commitments that they made last legislative session," he said, talking about the legislative leaders he knows.

With the pandemic's end still far off for many, Hegar is looking forward to the online sales that continue to thrive amid the pandemic.

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