Office of Government Relations | New Mexico State University

Time 2020-06-21 13:03:44

Web Name: Office of Government Relations | New Mexico State University

WebSite: http://govrelations.nmsu.edu

ID:6814

Keywords:

Government,Relations,Office,

Description:

The NMSU Office of Government Relations represents New Mexico State University s interests and priorities with the state legislature, federal government, and government agencies.June 2020 Special SessionOn June 18, the NM Legislature will hold a special session to deal with the financial impact of COVID-19 on the state budget.  The Legislative Finance Committee met to produce a framework that it proposed to legislators for consideration before the special session.  The framework contains cuts to state agencies, including to higher education.  A summary of the framework can be read at the link below:Summary of LFC Special Session FrameworkCOVID-19 Updates and ResponseHouse Introduces Next COVID-19 Relief PackageThe Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act, was introduced in the House on May 12. The $3 trillion proposal includes approximately $26.7 billion for higher education.  This is only a proposal and would have to be passed by the Senate, which is considered to be highly unlikely.Heroes Act Higher Education SummaryDepartment of Education Webpage for CARES Act HEERFThe Department of Education has a webpage dedicated to information on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund in the CARES Act.  The page includes FAQs, guidance, and submission procedures for both student and institutional funds.Department of Education CARES ACT HEERF InformationNACUBO Releases Guidance for COVID-19The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) released guidance for COVID-19 funds and other accounting topics related to the coronavirus.NACUBO Guidance for COVID-19Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid Announces Preliminary Reporting Requirements for HEERFThe Department of Education s Office of Federal Student Aid posted an announcement with preliminary reporting requirements for institutions that have received funds through the CARES Act s Higher Emergency Relief Fund.Department of Education FSA AnnouncementIRS Guidance Says Student Emergency Grants Not Subject to TaxThe IRS released FAQs that clarify student emergency assistance through the CARES Act will not be subject to taxation and not considered as part of a student s gross income.IRS FAQs on Student HEERF GrantsThe Department of Education Releases New FAQs and Guidelines for COVID Emergency Relief Grants for Higher EdThe NMSU system will receive a total of $14,076,359  million under Section 180004(a)(1) and 18004(c) of the CARES Act.  The law specifies that at least half of the funding should be distributed as emergency grants for students based on a certain set of criteria and part of the funding is to be used by institutions to cover COVID-19 related costs.  On April 21, the Department of Education released FAQs about the distribution of the funding.Department of Education Emergency Relief Fund FAQ about the Institutional PortionDepartment of Education Emergency Relief Fund FAQ for Student PortionThe CARES ActOn March 27, the President  into law H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill provides $2 trillion in emergency relief related to the coronavirus pandemic.  The bill was passed by the House of Representatives earlier in the day.Click on the link below to view the impacts to education, including $13.9 billion for higher education.THE CARES ACT Education SummaryRead the bill: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr748/BILLS-116hr748enr.pdfPreviously Congress also passed HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and before that HR 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.NMSU has a page with all information on the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to NMSU at https://nmsu.edu/coronavirus/.The 2020 Legislative SessionThe legislative session adjourned on February 20.Post-Session Legislative ReportThe Governor had until March 11 to sign any bills passed by the legislature into law.  Click on the link below to read a final report of the 2020 legislative session and impacts to NMSU.Final 2020 POST-SESSION LEGISLATIVE REPORT2020 NMSU Bill Tracking SheetEvery year the government relations team keeps a tracking list of bills that may impact NMSU and higher education:2020 BILL TRACKING SHEETNMSU s 2020 Legislative PrioritiesNew Mexico State University undergoes a long and intensive process to determine what legislative priorities it will put forth during the session. Click on the image below to see legislative items that NMSU requested this legislative session.2020 Legislative Priorities BookIn preparing for the 2020 Legislative Session, the Office of Government Relations prepared a Legislative Priorities Book with more details. Click on the link below for this year s book (some of the image quality has been decreased in order to reduce the size of the document).2020 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BOOK LFC Budget RecommendationsEvery year the Legislative Finance Committee Makes recommendations:Volume 1: Policy and Performance AnalysisVolume 2: Appropriation RecommendationsVolume 3: Supplemental Charts and GraphsEconomists Release New Revenue FiguresOn December 9, legislative and executive economists released new general fund revenue figures in a hearing before the Legislative Finance Committee.  The report says the state will have an estimated $797 million in new money in FY21, over FY20.  However this is down from an estimate for August.   To read a copy of the report, click on the link below:General Fund December Estimates

TAGS:Government Relations Office 

<<< Thank you for your visit >>>

  The NMSU Office of Government Relations represents New Mexico State University's interests and priorities with the state legislature, federal government, and government agencies. June 2020 Special Session On June 18, the NM Legislature will hold a special session to deal with the fin ...

Hot Websites