Legislature approves $2.2 billion in coronavirus relief

By Rachel La Corte / Associated Press

OLYMPIA — A bill that allocates $2.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding in areas ranging from vaccine administration to schools resuming in-person learning was approved by the Washington Legislature on Wednesday and now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.

The measure, which passed the House earlier this month, received a 47-2 vote in the Senate. Because it has an emergency clause, it will take effect immediately upon Inslee’s signature, which is likely to occur next week.

“This bill is not going to solve our problems, but it is a partnership with Congress,” said Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Poulsbo. “It’s a strategic first step to helping Washingtonians out, helping our businesses make it through this really tough winter and getting us back on our feet strong.”

Under the bill, $668 million will be allocated to schools as they move toward welcoming students back to the classroom. An additional $618 million will go to vaccine administration, contact tracing and testing, and $365 million will go toward rental assistance to help renters and landlords affected by the pandemic.

The bill also allocates $240 million to small business assistance grants that will be administered through the state Department of Commerce and $70 million to assist undocumented immigrants impacted by the pandemic who do not qualify for federal or state assistance. An additional $50 million is for grants to help childcare businesses stay open and expand capacity, and $26 million is for food assistance.

Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, said that he was voting in favor of the bill, saying the money needed to be spent to help those affected, but he criticized the fact that lawmakers were not called back into special session last year to address some of the issues earlier.

“This is a post-disaster operation now,” he said.

It’s the second pandemic-related bill sent to Inslee’s desk as lawmakers work through a 105-day legislative session. On Monday, Inslee signed a measure that increases the minimum weekly benefit for unemployed workers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and prevents a dramatic increase in unemployment taxes paid by businesses.