By Nicholette Marbley
This week has been anything but ordinary. Four executive orders and an attempted forced suicide have made national news. These current events caused a 51-year-old man to become so distraught; he faked, drawing a weapon on secret service to end his life. He was shot in the chest and rushed to the hospital. If you do not understand what is going on, you are not alone. The rules and regulations of the American government are tricky. Here is a condensed list of what is going on.
The craziness began last Saturday after a seemingly pointless 90-minute meeting regarding the stimulus bill. Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Steve Mnuchin, and President Donald Trump were in attendance. The Democrats pushed for a 3.4 trillion dollar bill stimulus bill, and the Republicans pushed for a 1 trillion dollar bill. After both parties refused to budge, the President announced four executive orders to relieve struggling Americans affected by COVID-19 financially.
The Executive Orders
- An additional 300 dollars a week from the federal government’s Disaster Relief Fund. Plus, an extra 100 dollars to be provided by the states who received the 600 dollar benefits offered by the Cares Act that expired July 31st.
- The delay of payroll tax for employees making less than 100,000 a year. The workers will have to pay it back eventually, but the President is looking for a way to wipe it completely clean.
- Extend a moratorium on some evictions and foreclosures
- Defer student loan payments and interests until the end of the year
Here is where it gets tricky. President Trump can not write checks, extend aid to small businesses, or extend assistance to local or state governments. Only Congress has the authority to do that. The unemployment benefit proposal will most likely end up in a courtroom. Also, the jobless benefits require states to pitch in 25 percent, but as you all know, all states are struggling financially right now. Luckily for us, Ohio has approved the unemployment package. Other states we’re not as lucky.
Before you end your day today, be exceedingly grateful, we live in Ohio. Governor DeWine is an excellent governor who has made all the right calls and truly cares about Ohioans. Take the time to appreciate where you live, because other states are not as fortunate as we are.
