Omaha Fight Over Feds' COVID Cash Escalating

An Omaha fight over millions of dollars in COVID-related cash is escalating, with the city council now weighing in.

As we have reported, the federal CARES Act finds the State of Nebraska, which is getting over $1 billion dollars, sending Douglas County $160 million.

But Omaha gets nothing.

That's because only cities and counties with 500,000 people are eligible.

But with the city of Omaha and its 400,000 people making up 80 percent of the county's population Mayor Jean Stothert is urging the county to share.

So far the county has not said yes.

This Tuesday the council is expected to vote unanimously to ask the governor and county board to play ball.

According to a resolution, the money would go to Omaha in order to protect the city from millions of dollars in lost tax revenue caused by the pandemic.