We should come up with a better program now to prepare for future emergencies, so the government can verify the information beforehand.
The Paycheck Protection Program was created quickly due to the circumstances of the unexpected pandemic. Checks and balances were absent and allowed for massive fraud. Billions were stolen and costs to recover that money is ongoing. We should come up with a better program now to prepare for future emergencies.
Give companies an option to register in a program now, like PPP, but before the next disaster, so the government can verify the information beforehand. Other businesses can register later when there is an emergency, but will need to wait for free money until their information is verified. Otherwise, have private insurance companies offer special optional coverage for these types of disasters and take the government out of the picture entirely. But do not allow history to repeat itself. It is costing the taxpayers too much money and there is always a better way.
Tom DeDore, Garfield Ridge