WESTERN STATES PACT May 11, 2020 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker United States House of Representatives 1236 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United States Senate 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Republican Leader United States House of Representatives 2468 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Democratic Leader United States Senate 322 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Leader McCarthy and Leader Schumer: It is now clear that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, and the worst of its economic impact is yet to come. Our states are on the front line against the virus while at the same time leading our states’ recovery. Each of us has seen first-hand how COVID-19 has caused a national recession that we are seeing play out in our states – resulting in a record amount of lost wages and business failures, spiraling unemployment and substantial, unplanned COVID-19driven costs. We deeply appreciated the quick financial assistance you provided workers, small business people and those who have been displaced by this crisis. But now, however, our states will be forced to make deep cuts to programs that help those same individuals without similar relief efforts for state and local governments. Even states that began the year in a strong fiscal position are facing staggering deficits amid growing costs of responding to the crisis. With unemployment projected to surpass that of the Great Recession, we are facing unprecedented and ongoing economic challenges. Without federal support, states and cities will be forced to make impossible decisions – like whether to fund critical public healthcare that will help us recover, or prevent layoffs of teachers, police officers, firefighters and other first responders. And, without additional assistance, the very programs that will help people get back to work – like job training and help for small business owners – will be forced up on the chopping block. That’s why we are respectfully, and urgently, requesting $1 trillion in direct and flexible relief to states and local governments. Though even this amount will not replace the decline in revenue that we forecast, it will make a meaningful difference in our ability to make-up for COVID-19 revenue losses. This aid would preserve core government services like public health, public safety, public education and help people get back to work. It would help our states and cities come out of this crisis stronger and more resilient. Red and blue states alike all are faced with the same COVID-19 math, as are Democratic and Republican mayors across our states. The moment requires unprecedented partnership from all of us – across every level of government and across party. We urge you to take swift action to help states and local governments provide core government services for American families. Sincerely, Gavin Newsom Governor of California Toni Atkins President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate Anthony Rendon Speaker of the California State Assembly Marie Waldron Minority Leader of the California State Assembly Jared Polis Governor of Colorado Leroy Garcia President of the Colorado State Senate Steve Fenberg Majority Leader of the Colorado State Senate KC Becker Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Alec Garnett Majority Leader of the Colorado House of Representatives Kate Brown Governor of Oregon Jay Inslee Governor of Washington Tina Kotek Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Peter Courtney President of the Oregon Senate Steve Sisolak Governor of Nevada Nicole Cannizzaro Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate Jason Frierson Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly cc: California congressional delegation cc: Colorado congressional delegation cc: Oregon congressional delegation cc: Nevada congressional delegation cc: Washington congressional delegation Andy Billig Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate Laurie Jinkins Speaker of the Washington House of Representative