Cal Cities weekly COVID-19 update: Feb. 18-24
Feb 24, 2021
The U.S. House of Representatives is moving quickly to advance an emergency relief bill that would provide direct and flexible funding for state and local governments.
On Monday, the House Budget Committee passed a $350 billion Coronavirus State Local Fiscal Relief Fund that would provide approximately $65 billion in direct and flexible funding to cities. This funding could be used for pandemic response and recovery as well as revenue replacement.
Over the last week Cal Cities, alongside the National League of Cities (NLC), has been mobilizing city officials to advocate in support of the COVID-19 fiscal relief proposal. An Action Alert was issued requesting that cities place phone calls to members of the U.S. House Oversight & Reform and Budget Committees. Cal Cities also hosted a federal briefing call last week with for more than 400 city officials, which featured an update from NLC on the funding breakdown for cities and the estimated timeline for congressional activity.
Cal Cities will continue its advocacy efforts to ensure the proposal passes out of the House, through the U.S. Senate, and to President Biden for his signature.
NEXT STEPS
The House is expected to have a Floor Vote on this Friday or Saturday. Please call your congressional representative THIS WEEK to let them know that you support the $350 billion COVID-19 relief bill that includes $65 billion direct and flexible funding for cities. Your city can also submit a letter supporting the $350 billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund.
State Budget Update
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a legislative package providing urgent relief to Californians experiencing pandemic hardship, including $600 stimulus checks to low-wage earners and $2 billion for small business grants. Ahead of legislative approval, Cal Cities issued its support for the package and highlighted that more support is needed for California’s cities, who cannot be left out and must be a priority investment in the state budget. For more information on the state relief package, read this Cal Cities Advocate article.
State updates
Over the last week Cal Cities, alongside the National League of Cities (NLC), has been mobilizing city officials to advocate in support of the COVID-19 fiscal relief proposal. An Action Alert was issued requesting that cities place phone calls to members of the U.S. House Oversight & Reform and Budget Committees. Cal Cities also hosted a federal briefing call last week with for more than 400 city officials, which featured an update from NLC on the funding breakdown for cities and the estimated timeline for congressional activity.
Cal Cities will continue its advocacy efforts to ensure the proposal passes out of the House, through the U.S. Senate, and to President Biden for his signature.
NEXT STEPS
The House is expected to have a Floor Vote on this Friday or Saturday. Please call your congressional representative THIS WEEK to let them know that you support the $350 billion COVID-19 relief bill that includes $65 billion direct and flexible funding for cities. Your city can also submit a letter supporting the $350 billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund.
State Budget Update
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a legislative package providing urgent relief to Californians experiencing pandemic hardship, including $600 stimulus checks to low-wage earners and $2 billion for small business grants. Ahead of legislative approval, Cal Cities issued its support for the package and highlighted that more support is needed for California’s cities, who cannot be left out and must be a priority investment in the state budget. For more information on the state relief package, read this Cal Cities Advocate article.
State updates
- Governor Newsom Signs Legislative Package Providing Urgent Relief to Californians Experiencing Pandemic Hardship – Governor’s Office
- In Kern County, Governor Newsom Announces New Central Valley Vaccine Initiatives Serving Hardest-Hit Communities – Governor’s Office
- State COVID-19 Updates – Governor's Office
- Daily COVID-19 Facts – California Department of Public Health
- Cal OES Key Messages regarding COVID-19/Daily Information – California Office of Emergency Services
- COVID-19 Resources and Information for Cities – League of California Cities