The Wyoming Legislature special session begins tomorrow, May 15th, to address the immediate needs of the state due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and to direct funds appropriated in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Proposed HB1004 COVID-19 business relief programs would allocate $275 million to Wyoming businesses. However, the bill does not include nonprofits. Last week, the Wyoming Nonprofit Network (WNN) reportedly advocated for the inclusion of charitable nonprofits in this bill, they defined as 501(c)(3), during the Minerals Interim Committee meeting, according to a release from WNN Executive Director Jody Shields. “An amendment to include nonprofits, failed on a 5-7 vote.”
Lander Community Foundation (LCF), local philanthropic nonprofit, encourages local representatives and senators to remember nonprofits when allocating the COVID-19 relief funds in a letter sent to each Fremont County Representative and Senator individually and shared with County 10.
“In Lander alone there are over 50 nonprofits, every single one has been impacted by this pandemic,” the letter from LCF Executive Director Mary Greene states. “Additionally, there are dozens of groups and organizations that are fiscally sponsored by either the Lander Community Foundation or another 501(c)3.”
Mary also points out, local nonprofits employ a large number of people in Fremont County, and reiterates the concern for job insecurities without relief funds.
Fremont County has already felt the economic impacts of COVID-19 and nonprofits making difficult decisions to layoff employees. In early April, NOLS laid off more than half of its full-time staff. Many of whom reside in Lander.
The special session convenes online at 8:00 am on the 15th. Additional information about the special session can be found in our earlier post.
You can read Mary’s letter here: LCF Letter to Senators & Reps