LEADERSHIP UPDATE
Colleagues,
For the last five months, NLC has worked as closely as ever with the state municipal leagues to keep federal leaders updated with accurate on-the-ground accounts from municipal governments; and factual, data driven assessments of local needs related to COVID-19. The current stalemate in Congress over the next emergency relief package is a clear and distressing message to local officials that some in Congress and the Administration remain unconvinced or unaware of the grim reality facing communities large and small across the nation.
With our politicians convening at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, our Cities are Essential message is more important than ever when they engage in discussions about recovery. Cities, towns and villages are the backbone of our nation’s democracy. We cannot let politicians at the national level forget that.
Our communities are not only facing the coronavirus pandemic; tragedy and natural disasters continue to occur in lockstep with COVID and its fallouts. The record-breaking heat here in California is fueling nearly 30 wildfires across the state. The devastation will put further strain on local communities that are already strapped for resources. The urgency of our message increases each day Congress refuses direct federal aid to our communities.
It’s been a long fight, but we can’t give up now. Your voices matter, your communities matter. We ask that you continue to take action by letting your members of Congress know that Cities Are Essential.
Sending you strength,
Joe Buscaino
President,
National League of Cities
President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles City Council
ON THE FRONTLINES: MAYOR MARC WILLAMS, ARVADA, CO
Mayor Williams is proud of residents of Arvada and how they rallied to comply with the new and necessary orders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community. And more importantly, how the city’s Chamber of Commerce worked with small businesses to help launch a small business assistance loan program that resulted in more than $2.8 million in loans. Learn more how Arvada showed, “we can do this,” said Mayor Williams.
RESOURCES
OPPORTUNITIES
National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine launches new resource
National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine launches new resource to help government decision makers more effectively encourage universal and persistent adoption of health-promoting behaviors to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The resource includes: strategies to make adoption of preventive behaviors more likely and communications strategies to encourage adoption of protective behaviors. View the resource here.
NLC Summer of Savings Highlight COVID Resources from Partners
Public-private partnerships have become even more important as cities and towns navigate the financial fallout from COVDI-19. NLC corporate partners have amassed a collection of resources to help municipalities in their response to coronavirus. From grant sources to accessing PPE, NLC partners are available to help local leaders in their fight against COVID. Learn more about their resources.
BEST PRACTICES
Why Short-Term Rentals Matter to Reopening Cities
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many cities have come to a standstill—closing most restaurants, gyms and other businesses while the virus spread and stressed hospital systems. These closures have been critically necessary to try to contain the infection rate, but have also hurt cities and economies everywhere. Read more.
Providing Enough Food for Everyone in Boston, Massachusetts
A city of nearly 700,000 people (about 11 percent of whom are 65 or older), Boston, Massachusetts, joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2014. Its age-friendly effort is led by two groups, and The city’s Age Strong Commission, through it’s Age-Friendly Boston leads Boston’s age-friendly effort. Read More.
IN THE NEWS
The Recession is About to Slam Cities. Not Just Blue Ones
New York Times – Aug 17, 2020
City Budgets Taking Historic Sales Tax Hit, NLC Data Shows
Government Technology – Aug 13, 2020
Failure to provide additional state, local aid would cause a double-dip recession
Bond Buyer – Aug 13, 2020