Lawmakers’ self-isolation could hinder funds for Utah businesses seeking federal aid

By Libbie Anderson

Utah lawmakers were directed to self-isolate on Monday morning after a senator tested positive for COVID-19 — causing some concern about the collection of federal aid for Utah businesses affected by the novel coronavirus.

“It’s a good question for how the aid will be collected by the senate when it’s allocated by the federal government,” said Mark Thomas, the Utah Senate chief of staff. “But it depends on what that package looks like.”

Utah’s 2020 General Session ended on March 12. If Gov. Gary Herbert were to call a special session for budgeting federal aid, Thomas isn’t sure how that would be done.

“It will be interesting to see how they get together as far as future budgets go because of the remote-working plan,” Thomas said.

At the end of the general session, Utah’s Senate passed a bill allocating funds to respond to COVID-19. Thomas said the budget was based on assessments prior to Utah declaring the State of Emergency, so those assessments are no longer accurate.

“We gave Utah $16 million dollars to work with,” said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Cache.

That allocated cash is already flowing throughout Utah, but the funds may dry up quicker than anticipated due to unexpected effects of COVID-19 and the earthquake that struck late last week.

“Because we only meet 45 days a year, we have no power unless the governor called for a special session,” Hillyard said about allocating any other aid.

Hillyard agreed that self-isolating for 14 days is a good precautionary measure for lawmakers and anticipated that the allocated funds will be enough of a response from the state to help local businesses until federal aid arrives.