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

Massachusetts: Haverhill Representative Andy Vargas’s School Meals for All bill, which will provide funding for universal school meals, was approved through the state budget. Over 400,000 students in Massachusetts will have access to free school meals regardless of income to support student nutrition, address food insecurity, and remove the stigma associated with the program.

Colorado: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock proposed a targeted basic income program that would give $1,000 monthly to qualifying residents. He asked the City Council to dedicate $2 million of the remaining ARP funds to women and families living in homeless shelters.

Massachusetts: Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll announced a $9 million investment of American Rescue Plan funds in affordable housing initiatives. The funds will go towards affordable housing construction, grants to build accessory dwelling units, energy efficiency improvement projects at affordable housing complexes, and additional investments in the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, including to help purchase and preserve existing affordable units.

Washington: Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin announced a plan to purchase and convert a hotel into a bridge housing program to help unhoused residents transition to permanent housing. Franklin has prioritized addressing housing needs in the community and will use $9 million of ARP funds for the project, which will also provide wraparound services to ensure Everett supports its most vulnerable residents.

Michigan: Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced that Michigan will enable four new mobility services to help address challenges related to sustainable transit and roadway safety. Various companies will coordinate with universities to use $285,000 from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to test and deploy mobility projects across the state. Lt. Governor Gilchrist believes that the coalition of private companies, top universities, and the government will show “the world that Michigan knows how to get it done.”

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!

Other Past Events

Build Back Better: Climate Change & Public Health

April 13, 2021

with speakers Terry Tamminen, former Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization for the National Wildlife Federation; and NewDEAL Leaders Wisconsin Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes and Norfolk, VA Councilmember Andria McClellan

Build Back Better: Fighting COVID through Vaccination

March 9, 2021

with featured speakers NewDEAL Leaders Long Beach, CA Mayor Robert Garcia and Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, and contributions from other NewDEAL Leaders from around the country

Build Back Better: What’s in Store in 2021

February 18, 2021

with speakers Congressman Scott Peters, New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair of Policy; Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read; Shelby County, TN Mayor Lee Harris; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego; and Zach Butterworth, White House Office of Public Engagement.

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