League calls on Congress for direct funding to cities to offset billions in revenue losses from COVID-19
Today, the U.S. Senate released an initial proposal for the next round of federal coronavirus relief. Now, the Senate, House of Representatives, and Administration will attempt to negotiate a final relief package prior to Congress leaving for its August recess. As proposed, the package does not include any funding for cities. Following the release of the proposed legislation, League of California Cities President and Town of Yountville Mayor John F. Dunbar made the following statement:
“Despite all the challenges this pandemic has caused our cities, we have collected trash, responded to fires, fixed broken water mains, and helped our businesses survive. Yet today’s initial Senate proposal, the latest and perhaps last coronavirus relief package, includes zero funding to help cities maintain core services.
“The pandemic has left California cities with a $7 billion dollar revenue shortfall projected over two years and millions in unplanned expenses. It already has resulted in losses of key city workforce and programs for our residents. Providing direct and flexible funding to local governments in this package is critical to help cities continue and sustain core services as well as support public health and economic recovery in our communities.”
Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.