American Rescue Plan Stories
Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). A critical component of this legislation was direct fiscal relief to state and local governments, which were devastated by unprecedented need and budget shortfalls as a result of the pandemic. Marking the anniversary, mayors from across the country – Republicans and Democrats alike – are reflecting on how important that lifeline was for their cities and sharing how these funds are being put to use to strengthen communities and help drive America’s economic recovery.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird
Columbus, OH Mayor Andrew Ginther
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller
Edina Mayor Jim Hovland
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo
Kansas City, MO Mayor Quinton Lucas
Fremont Mayor Lily Mei
Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer
Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer
Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
Augusta, GA Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler
Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie
Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown
San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter
Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz
Huntington, WV Mayor Steve Williams
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz
Survey
On Thursday, March 10, the Conference released a new survey of mayors that shows how critical relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are being put to use in American cities. An important part of ARPA was direct fiscal assistance for state and local governments through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. With the pandemic triggering painful budget shortfalls at a time of enormous need, cities were provided a total of $65.1 billion to assist in relief and recovery efforts. Since the law’s enactment one year ago, America’s mayors have developed responsible budget plans and worked with local officials to maximize the impact of these funds. Now, as we near the first anniversary of ARPA’s enactment, the survey released today offers a snapshot of how many cities are spending these dollars to address the short- and long-term negative impacts of COVID.
With responses from more than 100 cities, with big, medium, and small populations, the survey released today provides a sample of data on the types of programs that cities have used ARPA funds for, as well as offers dozens of specific examples of programs supported by these resources.