Cities and counties are at various stages of reopening after shutdowns to mitigate the coronavirus spread. Alarmingly, two-thirds of states are experiencing a surge in COVID-19. Several factors must be in place for jurisdictions to open for business safely and for people to confidently patronize the services and activities they typically enjoy. The Bipartisan Policy
Cities have been leading COVID response efforts across the country, and recently they have started to grapple with the new challenge of reopening amidst an ongoing pandemic. Elected officials and city staff have tirelessly crafted plans that attempt to balance public health, economic recovery, as well as align with plans of states and neighboring jurisdictions.
COVID-19 has reached every community – small, large, rural, urban, and metropolitan. In the bustling western state of Denver, Mayor Michael Hancock has been concerned with the unsheltered and those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Keeping them safe has been a top priority. In the wake of more than 30,000 infections, Mayor Hancock adopted a
The unprecedented public health emergency caused by the novel Coronavirus has created tremendous challenges for cities across the country. In March, over 124,000 U.S. public and private K-12 schools closed their buildings impacting at least 55.1 million children and youth who were sent home to transition to virtual/distance learning. While every school district across the
Seeding Hope and Belonging As a public leader, it can be daunting to consider how to adequately address the factors driving increases in deaths of despair. With so much at stake for individuals and their communities, it is essential to seed hope and to foster belonging. Gary Gunderson, Vice President for Faith and Health at
With over 2.3 million cases and 120,000 deaths, the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact every state and community across this country. These are unprecedented times. A group of local leaders through the National League of Cities Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council raised their voices among their peers that it is important to Prioritize Equity
Augusta Georgia is a typical Southern city. Its people are friendly, proud and excited to tell you about their city. When COVID-19 hit the community, Augusta faced the challenge of ensuring members of its community could continue to have at least three meals a day. To solve this challenge, the mayor turned to partners. Hear
New survey data from over 1,100 municipalities across the country shows that the national economic recovery is at even greater risk of stalling if Congress fails to provide direct federal aid to America’s cities, towns and villages. The survey, which focuses on local spending cuts and service adjustments, found that 65% of cities are being
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, creating the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), a $150 billion relief fund for states, territories, tribes, and local governments. Of the 19,000 cities, towns, and villages in the United States, only 36 municipalities, each with more than 500,000 residents, were provided direct assistance under the CRF. Those 36 municipalities with populations over
Today, June 19, is Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that enslaved Black people were now free. This was two and a half years after
