Stevens, Freshman Democrats Discuss Coronavirus Response with U.S. Conference of Mayors
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Yesterday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), Co-President of the Freshman Class of House Democrats, convened a conference call with more than 30 freshman lawmakers and bipartisan Members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors to discuss the challenges faced by cities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers were joined by Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor Bryan Barnett, the current President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, as well as Mayors from Des Moines, Iowa; Costa Mesa, California; and Ferndale, Michigan.
"Our cities and towns are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, and municipalities of all sizes have experienced lost revenue through no fault of their own,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “As cities of all population sizes incur new costs during the pandemic, our municipal governments would benefit greatly from direct and fair federal funding to address budget shortfalls and coronavirus needs. This is a conversation I have regularly with the communities of Michigan’s 11th District, and I am continuing to work to secure sufficient and equitable federal funding for our cities so they can continue their life-saving work and keep the lights on. I call on the Senate and President Trump to join me in securing the safety and functionality of our local communities. I am so proud that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the provisions in the Heroes Act to meet city funding needs. We must continue to push for equitable and fair funding.”
“In cities across the country, Mayors are doing whatever it takes amid unprecedented strains on our health systems and local economies,” said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “City governments are crucial to coordinating resources and solving this challenge, but we simply can’t do it alone. Mayors across the country are grateful that the House of Representatives has taken action to provide fiscal assistance to all cities. This direct financial support will help us respond to the pandemic, limit layoffs and furloughs, and maintain critical services during this difficult economic period. I appreciate Representatives Stevens and Slotkin for their relentless advocacy for cities like Rochester Hills, and I look forward to working with them, other freshman lawmakers, and any others in the House and Senate, in a bipartisan fight against COVID-19 and its dire economic consequences.”
Congresswoman Stevens is a resident of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Mayor Barnett lives in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District and is represented by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
The United States Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with a population of 30,000 or larger. Each city is represented by its chief elected official, the mayor. There are over 1,400 mayors who belong to the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
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