President-elect’s Rescue Plan Includes Emergency Funding for Cities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kayla Woods
Cell: (530) 844-1744, kwoods@calcities.org

Sacramento ― President-elect Joe Biden unveiled his American Rescue Plan this evening, to “change the course of the pandemic, build a bridge towards economic recovery, and invest in racial justice.”

League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued the statement below in response to the proposed relief package:

“The League of California Cities is encouraged by President-elect Biden’s proposal that calls for significant investments in a national vaccination program, as well as programs to support individuals, families, and small businesses who have been hit hard by this pandemic.

“We are also encouraged by the President-elect’s recognition that cities, too, have been hit hard by this pandemic, and by his call for Congress to send $350 billion in emergency funding to state and local governments. This funding cannot come soon enough.

“For nearly a year, cities have remained on the front lines working to protect public health and deliver essential public services that residents and small businesses depend on, distributing personal protective equipment, ensuring the most vulnerable in our communities have access to food and shelter, and helping small businesses survive with local grant programs. At the same time, budget shortfalls caused by the pandemic and necessary actions to protect public health have decimated city budgets, threatening jobs, services, local economies, and the livelihood of our communities.

“Cities have asked repeatedly for direct and flexible funding to address the billions of dollars in unforeseen costs and revenue losses that are a direct result of the pandemic. They have been told time and time again to wait their turn. Now must be their turn. 

“In the coming weeks, we look forward to working with President-elect Biden and Congress to ensure cities, along with the individuals, families, and small businesses that call our cities home, have the resources to recover from this pandemic.”

More details about the President-elect Biden's American Rescue Plan.

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.