Implementing The Recovery

In 2020, we confronted the pandemic and made it through together. In 2021, we began setting the stage for recovery. Here in 2022, our leaders are working to ensure that as we implement the recovery, we address the problems and inequities laid bare by the pandemic, and build a stronger society and economy. 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 now leveraging these funds to build a foundation to create a better life for all Americans. The NewDEAL supports their work by highlighting, promoting, and amplifying ideas and best practices for these recovery funds, and by working to strengthen the partnerships between federal, state, and local elected leaders.

Check back often 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.

Read Both Reports Here!

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

HOUSING

Michigan: Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks’ bill to establish attainable housing districts and provide certain tax exemptions for residential rehabilitation projects was signed into law. Her bill was part of a package of bills signed by Governor Whitmer to spur the development of affordable housing units and help families across the state realize home ownership.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Oregon: Illinois: Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss announced $1 million for a lead pipe replacement project. Biss coordinated with other state and local leaders to secure money from the state’s capital funds to replace lead service lines in south Evanston. Evanston is working to replace over 11,000 lead service lines and hopes to secure additional funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance this effort.

OPIOIDS

Pennsylvania: Attorney General and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro announced finalized settlements totaling $10.7 billion with CVS and Walgreens for their roles in the opioid crisis. Shapiro has helped lead a multistate investigation by state attorneys general into manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies for their roles in the opioid epidemic, which has led to over $54 billion in settlement agreements. Overall, more than $2.2 billion will have gone directly to Pennsylvania’s efforts to provide treatment and recovery resources to those in need.

TRANSPORTATION

Arizona: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego announced $1 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support a light rail extension project. The five-mile extension is part of the city’s larger Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Community plan, which will help provide more safe and reliable public transportation options for Phoenix residents.

TRANSPORTATION

Nebraska: Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird released the annual “Lincoln on the Move” report, highlighting over $42 million in investment into more than 60 street improvement projects since the program started in 2019. The six-year effort is projected to invest more than $94 million in street improvements and growth projects across the city.

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.

Explore the Database

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.

Explore the Initiative

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

Read event takeaways here!

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.

Read event takeaways here!