Ways and Means Committee Member Ron Estes (R-KS) called on the governor of Kansas Wednesday to disburse federal funds intended for cities, counties, rural areas, and other entities after a report showed Kansas is one of 32 states still withholding most of those dollars.

“Kansas communities have been negatively impacted by COVID-19-related health and economic challenges, which is why Congress and the federal government have provided much-needed relief for states, localities, workers, small businesses and families,” Rep. Estes said. “The state of Kansas has received $1.25 billion in direct funding from the CARES Act’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for state, territorial, local, and tribal governments. I am very concerned that data compiled by the National League of Cities indicates that Kansas is withholding CRF funds from local governments.”

“The legislative intent of the CARES Act was to provide timely and targeted relief,” Rep. Estes added. “But sitting on these funds in Topeka does not help the communities scattered throughout the Sunflower State, especially those in rural areas.”

Click here to learn more about Rep. Estes’s requests to Governor Kelly.

Click here to learn more about states who are withholding COVID relief funding from most rural governments, defying congressional intent.

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