NLC COVID-19 Update: America’s Communities are Hurting from Natural Disasters, the Pandemic and More

LEADERSHIP UPDATE

Colleagues,

While both national conventions have taken place over this and last week, one thing is evident: America is a country in perpetual recovery. Once again, we’re seeing headlines of social uprising and the impact of systemic racism on our nation. Wildfires are ravaging California; multiple hurricanes are expected to hit landfall along the Gulf Coast. This is happening while we are still feeling the fallout of the coronavirus – our communities are hurting.

After the conventions, the rallies, the debates and the election, we as local leaders are the ones who have been keeping our nation on a steady course through it all. Our cities, towns and villages continue to bear the brunt of 2020. Each of you have stepped up and served your communities with integrity and strength. I am proud to stand side by side with colleagues like you.

We are still pushing our message to Congress and fighting for you in DC. There is still time to uplift your voice, call your Senators.

You’ve heard it more than once, but I will say it again; America’s cities, towns and villages are essential. You are essential.

Sending you strength,

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

ON THE FRONTLINES: MAYOR EUGENE GRANT OF SEAT PLEASANT

Seat Pleasant, Maryland was already in the midst of a digital transformation when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Mayor Eugene Grant explains that the reason the city was able to transition to remote work so quickly was as a result of the groundwork already laid to ensure digital citizen engagement and staff familiar with the technology. Hear from Mayor Grant how the city made the transition.

RESOURCES

UPCOMING EVENTS

WEBINAR | Tools to Assess and Support Local Housing Needs Through Landlord Engagement | Thursday, Sept. 3, 2:45 PM ET
To support cities in gathering accurate information needed to address these issues, the National League of Cities has developed a landlord survey template for municipalities to adapt and administer to landlords in their communities. Join us, the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, and the City of Rochester to learn how your city can utilize this helpful tool to assist in preventing evictions and how other communities have successfully engaged landlords and their residents on important housing issues. Register here.

OPPORTUNITIES

WEBINAR | Extraordinary Year, Extraordinary Challenges: Adequately Supplying Your City with PPE | Thursday, Sept. 3 at 1 pm ET
NLC Partner SC Health is a seller of certified PPE. Experts from SC Health will help local leaders think through strategies to adequately equip their cities with personal protective equipment at their upcoming webinar. Register to join by sending an email to savings@nlc.org

BEST PRACTICES

Mayors Speak: Aid to Local Governments Critical to Protecting Economies Across the Nation
Mayors from Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York and Louisiana have spoken out in recent weeks about the urgent need for Congress to resume negotiations and prioritize direct federal aid to cities, towns and villages. Read More.

Disaggregated Data by Race and Ethnicity Can Help Us Get Closer to Recovery from COVID-19
Cities must push their state and local health departments and governors for disaggregated data around race, ethnicity, and gender. In doing so, cities will be able to target resources and personnel in a proactive rather than a reactive way. Read More.

IN THE NEWS

The coronavirus has effectively stalled a movement to tackle North America’s retail vacancy crisis
City Metric – August 24, 2020

Booster shot: What mayors can do to help when a COVID vaccine comes
Bloomberg – August 21, 2020