May 2020 Government & Community Relations Update
Merkley urges Senate to increase funding for TRIO programs
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) was joined by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jon Tester (D-MT) in leading a bipartisan group of 40 senators seeking to ensure increased financial relief for Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO).
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UO appeals to Oregon delegation for research relief
On Monday, May 18, UO leadership sent a letter to the Oregon congressional delegation requesting university research workforce relief in the next coronavirus stimulus package.
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House passes $3 trillion coronavirus stimulus plan which includes $27 billion for public colleges and universities
On Friday, May 15, the US House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act), a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package, by a vote of 208-199 along mostly party lines, marking the start of an effort to pass a fourth emergency supplemental spending pac
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IRS clarifies that emergency financial aid grants are not taxable income
On May 7 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued FAQs on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act.
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Coalition calls to fund tech and science research in future coronavirus financial relief
On Monday, May 4, the Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI) organized a letter and
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Oregon congressional delegation signs on to letters requesting additional funding for research workforce
In a May 4, 2020 letter addressed to United States Senate leadership, Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) were joined by 31 other senators in urging Congress to provide additional support for the U.S.
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