Jobs and Economy

The federal government has spent trillions of dollars to help dull the economic pain from the coronavirus pandemic, but some Democratic lawmakers say it's not enough — and want to see monthly payments of $2,000 given to most Americans until the crisis begins to fade.

"Thank you, @RepTimRyan! I'm proud to join you," Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, one of the new co-sponsors, wrote on Twitter on Saturday. "Monthly payments of at least $2,000 during this crisis will provide more security for many families in Oregon and across the country."

Growing Seeds Learning Community has cared for thousands of young children in Portland since it opened its doors in 2004. Earlier this year, Growing Seeds North, the child care center's largest outpost, was welcoming 160 students a day. That changed on March 23 when Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued a statewide stay home order in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Only a few months ago, Laurelthirst Public House was packed almost every night, hosting free concerts by local musicians seven days a week to some of the most devoted patrons in Portland.

Despite their lobbying efforts, neither the IVC nor the National Independent Venue Association succeeded in getting their proposed updates addeded to the most recent round of funding through the Payroll Protection Program which President Trump signed last week. But Brunberg says he feels encouraged by Sen. Ron Wyden and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's ongoing efforts to expand relief funding.

A little over a month ago, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown gave child care centers a choice: continue to operate with a focus on the children of "essential workers," or shut your doors. Nearly half closed.

"Child care businesses operate on razor-thin margins, and without significant support many of them won't make it to the other side of the pandemic," said U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton.