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