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Letters to Members of Congress - Supplemental Funding Supoort of Local GovernmentCity of Dubuque ITEM TITLE: SUMMARY: SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Copyrighted May 18, 2020 Action Items # 1. Letters to Members of Congress - Supplemental Funding Support for Local Government Mayor Roy D. Buol providing copies of letters to Senator Grassley, Senator Ernst, and Congresswoman Finkenauer regarding supplemental funding support for local government. Suggested Disposition: Receive and File ATTACHMENTS: Description Letter to Senator Grassley Letter to Senator Ernst Heroes Act One Pager Letter to Congresswoman Finkenauer - REVISED Type Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation Supporting Documentation Masterpiece on the Mississippi The Honorable Charles Grassley United States Senator State of Iowa Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senator Grassley, Dubuque ittiatd All -America City flNAi I NAIUV, li%A I 11111, 2007*2012*2013 2017*2019 May 14, 2020 Office of the Mayor City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, IA 52001-4805 www.cityofdubuque.org As Mayor and on behalf of my City Council colleagues and the residents of Dubuque, I am writing to request that you support direct funding for cities as we fight on the front lines of this unprecedented disaster. As Congress considers additional federal supplemental legislation in the wake the Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical that you include direct relief to cities, towns, and counties. Senator, this disaster is extraordinary and multi -dimensional, unprecedented in modern history. Individuals and families are threatened by a viral illness that is merciless in its attack and contagion and also requires that whole sectors of our economy stop or slow down. Cities are charged with the task of mitigating the spread of deadly Covid-19 at the same time we are required to provide essential services to residents - all of this with significantly less revenue. The City of Dubuque will see a loss of $4 million before July 1, 2020 due to the impacts of the pandemic and conservatively, the City anticipates a loss of $12 million by July 1, 2021 for a total loss of $16 million in revenues as we battle the pandemic. As we have demonstrated time and again in Dubuque, vibrant, economically strong communities do not arise in isolation. Partnerships between the private, nonprofit, and public sector are essential to success. Businesses, non profit and community organizations depend on the economic strength and vitality of their local government. Not only does the City of Dubuque provide an anchor for local economic development, we also provide the essential services that businesses and residents alike - depend upon to ensure that we remain competitive, including public safety, reliable infrastructure, clean water and a strong workforce base. Without Congress providing a lifeline to recover and restore local economic activity, cities and towns, like Dubuque, will be forced to make cuts to essential services that will have a ripple effect across the public and private sectors. Senator Grassley, we know that you support sound and prosperous communities and that you understand the critical need for partnership between local government and the private sector to ensure success. We ask that you support supplemental legislation that will provide: • $500 billion over two years of federal aid for local governments • Fair and direct funding allocations to each and every local government, with no exclusions based on population • Equal funding overall for municipal governments and county governments • Maximum flexibility for the eligible use of funds to address the budget consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic Thank you for your leadership on this important issue. Masterpiece on the Mississippi The Honorable Joni Ernst United States Senator State of Iowa Washington, DC 20515 Dear Senator Ernst, Dubuque All Aseriea City r.AI' )NA; � P:k.= I1�,N:U. II 1I 2007.2012.2013 2017*2019 May 14, 2020 Office of the Mayor City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, IA 52001-4805 www.cityofdubuque.org As Mayor and on behalf of my City Council colleagues and the residents of Dubuque, I am writing to request that you support direct funding for cities as we fight on the front lines of this unprecedented disaster. As Congress considers additional federal supplemental legislation in the wake the Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical that you include direct relief to cities, towns, and counties. Senator, this disaster is extraordinary and multi -dimensional, unprecedented in modern history. Individuals and families are threatened by a viral illness that is merciless in its attack and contagion and also requires that whole sectors of our economy stop or slow down. Cities are charged with the task of mitigating the spread of deadly Covid-19 at the same time we are required to provide essential services to residents - all of this with significantly less revenue. The City of Dubuque will see a loss of $4 million before July 1, 2020 due to the impacts of the pandemic and conservatively, the City anticipates a loss of $12 million by July 1, 2021 for a total loss of $16 million in revenues as we battle the pandemic. As we have demonstrated time and again in Dubuque, vibrant, economically strong communities do not arise in isolation. Partnerships between the private, nonprofit, and public sector are essential to success. Businesses, non profit and community organizations depend on the economic strength and vitality of their local government. Not only does the City of Dubuque provide an anchor for local economic development, we also provide the essential services that businesses and residents alike - depend upon to ensure that we remain competitive, including public safety, reliable infrastructure, clean water and a strong workforce base. Without Congress providing a lifeline to recover and restore local economic activity, cities and towns, like Dubuque, will be forced to make cuts to essential services that will have a ripple effect across the public and private sectors. Senator Ernst, we know that you support sound and prosperous communities and that you understand the critical need for partnership between local government and the private sector to ensure success. We ask that you support supplemental legislation that will provide: • $500 billion over two years of federal aid for local governments • Fair and direct funding allocations to each and every local government, with no exclusions based on population • Equal funding overall for municipal governments and county governments • Maximum flexibility for the eligible use of funds to address the budget consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic Thank you for your leadership on this important issue. 24./ A Bold Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and the Economic Collapse HONORING OUR HEROES: Provides nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial and tribal governments who desperately need funds to pay vital workers like first responders, health workers, and teachers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs. A HEROES' FUND FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS: Establishes a $200 billion Heroes' fund to ensure that essential workers who have risked their lives working during the pandemic receive hazard pay. TESTING, TRACING AND TREATMENT: Provides another $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures, ensures every American can access free coronavirus treatment, and supports hospitals and providers. MORE DIRECT PAYMENTS: Cushions the economic blow of the coronavirus crisis with a second round of more substantial economic impact payments of $1,200 per family member, up to $6,000 per household. PROTECTS PAYROLLS: Enhances the new employee retention tax credit that encourages employers to keep employees on payroll, allowing 60 million Americans to remain connected to their paychecks and benefits. WORKER SAFETY: Requires OSHA to issue a strong, enforceable standard within seven days to require all workplaces to develop and implement infection control plans based on CDC expertise, and prevents employers from retaliating against workers who report infection control problems. SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS: Strengthens the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types and responds flexibly to small businesses by providing $10 billion for Covid-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. PRESERVES HEALTH COVERAGE: Protects Americans losing their employer -provided health insurance with COBRA subsidies to maintain their coverage and creates a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for uninsured Americans. EXTENDS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Extends weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January, providing a vital safety net for the record number of Americans who are unemployed. HOUSING ASSISTANCE: Helps struggling families afford a safe place to live with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing -related costs. FOOD SECURITY: Addresses rising hunger with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table. SAFEGUARDS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY: Includes new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate Census, and preserve the Postal Service. Masterpiece on the Mississippi May 14, 2020 Honorable Abby Finkenauer 124 Cannon House Office Building U.S.Capitol Washington DC 20515 Dear Congresswoman Finkenauer, Dubuque blind All -America City 111111 2007•2012.2013 2017*2019 Office of the Mayor City Hall 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, IA 52001-4805 www.cityofdubuque.org As Mayor and on behalf of my City Council colleagues and the residents of Dubuque, I am writing to thank you for your support for inclusion of direct funding for state and local governments in the HEROS Act. As Congress considers additional federal supplemental legislation in the wake the Covid-19 pandemic, we are grateful for your support of direct relief to cities, towns, and counties. Congresswoman, this disaster is extraordinary and multi dimensional, unprecedented in modern history. Individuals and families are threatened by a viral illness that is merciless in its attack and contagion and also requires that whole sectors of our economy stop or slow down. Cities are charged with the task of mitigating the spread of deadly Covid-19 at the same time we are required to provide essential services to residents - all of this while losing significant amounts of revenue. The City of Dubuque will see a loss of $4 million before July 1, 2020 due to the impacts of the pandemic and conservatively, the City anticipates a loss of $12 million by July 1, 2021 for a total loss of $16 million in revenues as we battle the pandemic. As we have demonstrated time and again in Dubuque, vibrant, economically strong communities do not arise in isolation. Partnerships between the private, non profit and public sector are essential to success. Businesses, non profit and community organizations depend on the economic strength and vitality of their local government. Not only does the City of Dubuque provide an anchor for local economic development, we also provide the essential services that businesses and residents alike - depend upon to ensure that we remain competitive, including public safety, reliable infrastructure, clean water and a strong workforce base. Without Congress providing a lifeline to recover and restore local economic activity, cities and towns, like Dubuque, will be forced to make cuts to essential services that will have a ripple effect across the public and private sectors. Congresswoman Finkenauer, we know that you support sound and prosperous communities and that you understand the critical need for partnership between local government and the private sector to ensure success. We ask that you continue to support supplemental legislation that will provide: • $500 billion over two years of federal aid for local governments • Fair and direct funding allocations to each and every local government, with no exclusions based on population • Equal funding overall for municipal governments and county governments • Maximum flexibility for the eligible use of funds to address the budget consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic Thank you for your leadership on this important issue. Sind ely, fi, L . Buol MMor