Pappas Continues to Advocate for State and Local COVID-19 Relief At Roundtable with Derry Town Officials

Today, Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) held a virtual roundtable with Derry town officials to discuss the importance of COVID-19 relief funds for local governments across New Hampshire. Pappas was joined by Derry Town Administrator Dave Caron and Derry Town Councilor Josh Bourdon.

During the discussion the participants discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Derry, the impact lost revenue and projected budget shortfalls could have on local services, and the importance of Congress' next COVID-19 relief package providing flexible relief funding to state and local governments.

"We've got to make sure that everyone is well equipped to face this head on. What we don't want to have happen in the middle of a pandemic is a disruption of vital services like our police, fire, education, EMTs; or the potential for tax increases at a time where we know so many families and businesses are experiencing economic hardship," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "We have to continue to stay ahead of the public health crisis that it is but also look for ways to ensure that our families and our communities have the lifeline that they need to weather this storm."

"I don't want to be in a position where we're forced to make tough decisions where there's nothing left to do but cut our firefighters and our police officers, because we need them here," said Josh Bourdon, Derry Town Councilor. "There's not a lot of unnecessary spending or, you know, things that we can just choose to eliminate… Having talked with business owners and residents that still remains their concern today. They don't want to see our services cut and they also don't want to see our taxes go through the roof."

"My concern is that any interruptions in our revenue streams may put us back in that situation whereby we're looking at staff reductions," said Dave Caron, Derry Town Administrator. "We saw a reduction of revenues in the fourth quarter due to the pandemic. However, a lot of the safety net programs put in by either the Fed, or the state, really helped out… I don't think we're going to see the immediate bounce back of our entire economic sector, particularly in the hospitality industry. So therefore, I think we need continued federal support to help local governments and state governments get through this very difficult time."

The House passed the Heroes Act on May 15, which would provide $1.5 billion in direct assistance to New Hampshire communities and counties. Last week Senate Republicans announced their proposal, which does not include significant support for local government and many of the other resources we need to fight COVID-19.

Congressman Pappas led the call for House leadership to include robust funding for local governments in the next COVID-19 response package, and thanks to his advocacy the Heroes Act includes more than $1.5 billion in direct assistance to New Hampshire localities and $3.5 billion to the state government. Manchester is estimated to receive $127,617,663; Derry would receive $16,621,380; and Londonderry would receive $12,985,284.