Title
RESOLUTION NO. R-1920-118: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA SUPPORTING FAIR, DIRECT FEDERAL EMERGENCY SUPPORT TO REOPEN AND REBUILD LOCAL AMERICAN ECONOMIES
Body
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic and the related public health measures to minimize its spread have had a devastating impact on local economics. Congress worked swiftly to provide needed relief to many impacted businesses and people who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. On May 15, the House of Representatives passed the latest piece of legislation to address the economic harm of the pandemic - the HEROES Act.
DISCUSSION:
Thus far, little has been done at the federal level to protect a unique kind of essential business - local government. Businesses and community organizations across the country depend on the economic strength and vitality of municipalities. Municipalities are an anchor for local economic development, but they also provide the essential services that businesses and residents rely upon to function, including access to clean water, public safety, reliable infrastructure and a strong workforce base. Without a lifeline to recover and restore local economic activity, cities could be forced to make cuts to essential services that will have a ripple effect across the public and private sectors.
In Oklahoma, these impacts are felt especially deeply by municipalities who, due to funding restrictions, rely primarily on sales tax revenue to fund operations. Resolution R-1920-118 urges Congress to consider fair and direct support to all of America’s communities that goes beyond reimbursing for pandemic related expenses and also helps cities thrive by address the anticipated dramatic budgetary shortfalls resulting from pauses in commerce, tourism and other economic engines.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of R-1920-118.