In 2020, we confronted the pandemic and made it through together. In 2021, we began setting the stage for recovery.  NewDEAL Leaders are continuing the work  to build a stronger society and economy and address the problems and inequalities laid bare by the pandemic. The Biden-Harris Administration has led the federal government in providing the funds and resources state and local governments need to recover, and NewDEAL Leaders are delivering tangible results for their communities and advancing policy solutions and programs to create a better life for all Americans. The NewDEAL supports their work by highlighting, promoting, and amplifying ideas and best practices, and by working to strengthen the partnerships between federal, state, and local elected leaders.

Check back each week for new policy recommendations, details on work done by NewDEALers, and recordings of events featuring thought leaders, experts, and NewDEALers on the ground.

The American Rescue Plan – Impact in the States

One Year Later
Ongoing Impact Addendum

As we look back on the year and a half since the passage of the American Rescue Plan, take a look at our reports for successes stories from across the country to see how investments from state and local officials from NewDEAL’s network of innovative leaders are not only changing the present, but building lasting change for millions of Americans.

This week’s five stories on Implementing the Recovery in the States

Rhode Island: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley signed the Energy Efficiency and Carbon Neutral Goals for Municipal Buildings ordinance. This requires all city buildings to become carbon-neutral by 2040. “We are paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come by leading the charge towards a greener, more resilient future,” said Smiley.

Pennsylvania: House Speaker Joanna McClinton launched the Pennsylvania CROWN Act Coalition this week, urging Pennsylvanians to support her bill to end hair discrimination. This issue has negatively impacted Black and brown Americans. McClinton has spent five years championing the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. If passed into state law, it would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair type, texture, or style. Thus far, it has passed the Pennsylvania House and is now under consideration in the state Senate.

Arizona: Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has announced the County Election Administration Fellowship program. This innovative program matches current college students and recent graduates with a county election official through a five-month fellowship through which they assist election administrators across the state. “By addressing the critical losses of election officials since 2020, this initiative fortifies our elections as essential infrastructure, ensuring their resilience and integrity,” said Fontes.

Connecticut: State Representative Kate Farrar proposed a bill to support local journalism by requiring state agencies to devote 50 percent of their advertising budget to contracts with print or online publications based in Connecticut. This move builds upon similar successful efforts at the municipal level. Farrar hopes her bill will support local journalism at a time when many local and regional publications have either been shuttered or obtained by national for-profit corporations or outside groups, leading to less local, relevant, and objective coverage.

Colorado: Opportunity Next, a scholarship program created by Senator Jeff Bridges, announced that it would begin accepting applications. The program seeks to provide one-time scholarships and career advising to the class of 2024, with an emphasis on connecting high school graduates to in-demand careers. “Making sure that what schools teach matches what businesses need is exactly what the Opportunity Now grant does, leading to better wages for workers, a well-trained workforce for our employers, and a stronger Colorado economy for everyone,” said Bridges.

Tracking the Recovery database

Explore our new database of ways NewDEALers around the country are using stimulus funds to build back better and speed up the recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Equity Initiative

Hear from NewDEALers on how they’re tackling systemic injustice, and how they’re working to ensure we address discrimination at the core of our institutions in this historic time of disruption.

How to Get and Use Infrastructure Funds for Climate Impact

The NewDEAL, in partnership with Third Way, hosted a virtual forum on February 15, 2022, focusing on how state and local leaders can maximize the impact of federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on promoting clean energy and other climate solutions. Click below to read takeaways, or watch the recording of the event.

Featured speakers:

  • Elizabeth Noll, Deputy Assistant Secretary for House Affairs, Department of Energy;
  • Aimee Witteman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, Department of Energy;
  • Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu;
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick, Director of the Climate and Energy Program, Third Way;
  • Shalini Vajjhala, Executive Director, San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center;
  • NewDEAL Leader Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow;
  • Trenton Allen, Managing Director and CEO, Sustainable Capital Advisors;
  • and NewDEAL Leader Norfolk, VA Councilmember Andria McClellan

Improving Access to Affordable Housing

At our housing virtual forum on March 18, 2022, the NewDEAL convened elected officials with experts to discuss how state and local leaders can take meaningful actions on housing solutions to help with affordability in their communities. Click below to read quick takeaways from the event, or to view a recording.

Featured speakers:

  • Richard Cho, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
  • Paraag Sarva, CEO, Rhino;
  • Michela Zonta, Senior Policy Analyst for Housing Policy Center for American Progress;
  • and NewDEAL Leaders:
    • Kansas City, MO Mayor Quinton Lucas;
    • New Hampshire Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka;
    • and Massachusetts Representative Andy Vargas.

Other Past Events