Implementing The Recovery

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.

Read Both Reports Here!

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

AFFORDABILITY

Louisiana: Senator Royce Duplessis sponsored a bill to help Louisianans deal with skyrocketing home insurance costs as climate change increases extreme weather events. His legislation would mandate that insurance companies offer at least 20% discounts on wind premiums for homes with fortified roofs. The effort is modeled on one in Alabama. It addresses reports that homeowners who install roofs that meet hurricane-resistant standards, often with little support, need significant reductions in insurance costs.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

Nebraska: Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced the city would allocate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) surplus funds into initiatives that address workforce and childcare challenges. The funding will support job training and placements, business education for refugee and immigrant women, and affordability in the childcare workforce. “Together with our partners, we are using our American Rescue Plan funds to double down on key workforce needs in our community – and lift up the lives of our residents by increasing their economic mobility,” said Baird.

CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT

Idaho: Boise Mayor Lauren McLean joined President Biden this week to celebrate a $6.1 billion grant from the Chips and Science Act to boost manufacturing in Boise. Micron Technology will receive the funds for their new manufacturing plant, expected to create 20,000 jobs in Idaho and is the single most significant private investment in Idaho’s history. “The city has been building the partnerships necessary to create a business-ready environment that supports this kind of economic development, and we’ll continue to focus on diversifying our economy to provide opportunities for our residents,” said McLean. “I’m thrilled that our own home-grown company, Micron, will receive transformational funding through the CHIPS & Science Act, and I thank President Biden for his leadership and commitment to growing American jobs and companies.”

CLIMATE

Wisconsin: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson secured an Urban Forestry Grant funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The grant will create 53 new forestry jobs, enabling the city to prune 19,000 trees, plant 5,800 new ones, and remove 2,500 stumps. New tree canopy will manage stormwater, help reservoirs keep from overflowing, and provide shade. At the same time, the overall effort supports Johnson’s call for “redesigning our streets and neighborhoods and making them safer for everybody.”

SMALL BUSINESS

Alabama: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed announced Montgomery City and County are partnering and using American Rescue Plan dollars to support small businesses by creating the Small Business One Stop Shop to train people to start, expand, and manage small businesses. The funding would also create the Access to Capital Loan Program — a 2.5 million low-interest, revolving small business loan fund that small businesses could use to apply for up to $250,000 loans.

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!