For Immediate Release: Monday, January 11, 2021
Gov. Hogan announces RELIEF Act of 2021 following the Maryland United for COVID Relief Rally Sunday
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 11, 2021—Montgomery County Council President Hucker and the Maryland United for COVID Relief Coalition hosted a virtual rally on Sunday, Jan. 10, with elected and community leaders from all 24 counties in Maryland calling on Governor Larry Hogan to release money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, a fund that contains roughly $1.5 billion set aside for unforeseen economic crises.
Following the rally on Sunday, Gov. Hogan announced that he would be releasing details of his economic stimulus package in a press conference Monday morning.
Council President Hucker released the following statement in response to Gov. Hogan’s announcement of the RELIEF Act of 2021:
“I am glad that the governor heard our calls for urgent action. While the proposed relief package will provide some assistance to our most vulnerable residents, it does not provide broad, immediate relief to families and small businesses. It instead passes responsibility to the General Assembly, slowing the process of getting immediate relief to Maryland families in need and small businesses facing permanent closure.
“We cannot and must not wait to relieve the suffering and assist the small businesses that will close this week. This proposal is a step in the right direction, but it is insufficient and does not rise to meet the immense suffering felt by our neighbors across the state.
“The Governor already has the authority to issue relief checks using state reserves or the Rainy Day Fund. Moreover, Treasurer Kopp and Comptroller Franchot - the State’s chief fiscal officer and chief investment officer - already favor using a portion of the FY20 surplus and the Rainy Day Fund to provide immediate relief to Marylanders. That should occur while the General Assembly considers the Governor’s proposal.”
###
Release ID: 21-005