Senators Rev. Warnock & Ossoff fought to get cities direct federal funding in the legislation
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) released a letter calling on the U.S. Senate to swiftly pass the American Rescue Plan, citing the bill’s key provision to send direct federal funding to Georgia’s cities, towns, and counties — regardless of their size and population — to help them recover from the pandemic.
The letter was signed by more than 240 local leaders in the state, representing 136 Georgia cities.
Both of Georgia’s U.S. Senators, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, co-sponsored legislation championing this key provision and fought for its inclusion in the American Rescue Plan.
Over the last six weeks, Senators Warnock and Ossoff have listened to these local leaders who wanted to see an improvement from the CARES Act, which blocked cities with populations less than 500,000 from receiving direct federal funding. Warnock and Ossoff fought to have that change included in this bill.
“Federal funds are urgently needed to help protect the lives and livelihoods of all people in Georgia,” said GMA President, Union City Mayor Vince Williams.“ Municipal leaders stand ready to put these funds into action to mitigate the public health emergency and address negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 disease in our communities.”
“As COVID-19 raged across the country over the past year creating a public health crisis and an economic crisis, local officials remained on the front lines providing critical services to residents and businesses and demonstrating heroic leadership during the country’s worst pandemic in a century,” the more than 240 leaders wrote. “Unfortunately, despite the pleas of local leaders throughout the country, most cities, including most cities in Georgia, were excluded from receiving direct federal aid throughout 2020. Mayors and city leaders throughout Georgia stand UNITED to applaud the U.S. House’s action to pass COVID relief legislation that will ensure local needs will be met. We urge the U.S. Senate to take immediate action to pass this urgently needed aid.”
Please click here to read the letter.
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