US Mayors Call on Federal Government to Provide Direct Financial Assistance 

SCHENECTADY – Mayor Gary McCarthy joined hundreds of mayors from across the country to request the federal government provide urgently needed direct, flexible assistance for cities of all sizes. The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) sent a letter to President Donald Trump as negotiations on the next COVID-19 legislative package drag on and cities across America face the grim reality of continued payroll cuts and reduction, or even elimination, of critical services.

“We need leadership in Washington to step up and provide direct aid to local governments on the front lines of this pandemic,” Mayor McCarthy said. “The next federal relief package must include direct, flexible emergency assistance to cities of all sizes. This funding is key to ensuring our nation’s economic recovery”

Led by USCM President Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, and the organization’s leadership, USCM Vice President Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and USCM Second Vice President Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez, 290 mayors signed the letter. The signers lead cities large and small. They represent every region of the country. And they are Republican, Democratic and Independent.

“Communities across this country face devastation without direct federal aid for essential services,” Mayor McCarthy added. “Our first responders have been on the front lines of this pandemic and the economic fallout threatens these critical public services that keep our nation running.”

A full copy of the letter can be found here, and the previous budget request is here.

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