NLC COVID-19: Pandemic Response Update | Issue 37

LEADERSHIP UPDATE

Colleagues,

Happy August! While Congress is in deadlock over negotiations, we know very well that local leaders don’t have the same luxury of inaction. We haven’t had a choice but to fight the pandemic and its economic and social fallouts. These are the stories that will prevail when our nation comes out the other side – the stories of the healers, the decision makers, the heroes who did not get lost in partisanship.

The most important thing you can do for your communities is to be an advocate on their behalf to Congress. NLC held a full Cities Are Essential campaign call on Monday with Senator Bill Cassidy and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, both who reiterated the urgency of our advocacy and all that local governments are facing. America’s hometowns have simply NOT received the funding needed to support a national economic recovery. A recent CNBC/Change Research poll found that two-thirds of voters support relief for state and local governments.

There is still time! Call your Senators TODAY and tell them that local communities are struggling – we need direct federal aid NOW.

Sending you strength,

Joe Buscaino
President,
National League of Cities
President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles City Council

ON THE FRONTLINES: Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is still in the middle of a voracious fight against COVID-19. Health officials are ‘cautiously optimistic’ but Mayor Eric Garcetti is intentional and focused. The city continues to be particularly intentional about ensuring its most vulnerable and those disproportionately impacted by the novel coronavirus have access to resources, testing and care. Learn some of the innovative strategies Mayor Garcetti instituted to serve Angelenos.

RESOURCES

OPPORTUNITIES

NLC Partnership with SC Health
NLC members receive an introductory 10% discount off their first order. The first 10 cities in each region to take advantage of this benefit during the first 30 days of this promotion will receive 10,000 FREE pieces of PPE when they order 100,000 pieces or more. Learn more about SC Health and how they can help your city with their PPE and medical supply needs, please contact Josh Gray, Director of Strategic Partnerships at SummerofSavingsSolutions@nlc.org. To visit the SC Health website to order, click here.

CONSTITUENCY GROUPS VIRTUAL SUMMIT | Equitable Solutions for the Future of the City
From the impact of COVID-19 on these communities to the Census and how to promote equity in the wake of the current social uprisings, the Virtual Summit will allow local leaders to meet their peers and share strategies and best practices for addressing these challenges today. Register now to attend.

BEST PRACTICES

Local Governments Report Progress on Coronavirus Relief Funds, But Few Unobligated Dollars Remain for Cities and Towns Waiting for Aid
Local leaders continue to be hampered by uncertainty and confusion from Congress over how, or even whether, to meet the urgent need for new federal aid for local governments. There is no question that additional federal intervention is warranted. 70 percent of relief funds have already been obligated but only 10 percent to local governments. We cannot leave small communities behind. Read more.

How Seattle Helps Residents Stay Home and Stay Safe During COVID-19
With about 750,000 residents,  Seattle, Washington, is the largest city in Washington state and makes up almost half the population of  King County. In February, the Seattle area became the first epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the United States. Learn more.

IN THE NEWS

IG Report Shows State Governments Sitting on CARES Funds
National Review – August 3, 2020

If state and local governments continue to struggle, so will America
CNN – July 31, 2020

City leaders share their financial reality with their congressional leaders
Texas Public Radio – July 31, 2020

Bailout Or Stimulus? Why Federal Relief For Budget Shortfalls Can Speed Up A Recovery
Forbes – July 30, 2020