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

GUN SAFETY

Alabama: Representative Phillip Ensler’s bill to ban the possession of trigger activators, or Glock switches, which turn handguns into machine guns, passed the state house by a vote of 60-38. Ensler assembled a coalition, including law enforcement, that argued that the ban was needed to complement federal law and keep Alabamians safe. “As a Democrat, as a new Democrat, and dealing with gun legislation, those are all uphill battles in this Legislature. But the fact that we got it done speaks volumes, and I am very grateful to the speaker of the House… and it ultimately was a bipartisan effort.” The bill now heads to the Senate.

HEALTHCARE

Maryland: Legislation sponsored by Senator Antonio Hayes that has now passed the House and Senate would expand state-run health care plans to all qualified residents of Maryland, regardless of immigration status, easing some barriers to quality care in vulnerable communities. “This legislation will simply lift the requirement that people must add documentation of their legal residency status and expand the potential coverage to some of our undocumented residents, who represent some of our most vulnerable populations,” Hayes said. The effort is complemented by action taken today by the Biden Administration to expand healthcare access for 100,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) members, or Dreamers, through state-run or private plans under the Affordable Care Act.

IMMIGRATION

Missouri: Mayor Quinton Lucas is inviting newly arrived migrants to work in Kansas City and boost the local economy, “[extending] a hand to some of the cities hit hardest by migrants coming across U.S. borders the past couple of years, notably Denver and New York City.” He announced on X that “all are welcome in Kansas City” as other mayors seek to relieve the pressure on migrant populations by connecting them to midwestern cities and providing them with more opportunities for work. “‘We need a lot more employees,’ said Lucas, who wants migrants legally permitted to contribute. ‘If there are people who are willing and ready to work, then I believe that there could be a place for them.’”

PUBLIC SAFETY/PREVENTION

Hawai’i: House Speaker Scott Saiki is leading his caucus’ effort to help Maui recover from last year’s devastating wildfires and prevent future damage. This week’s work has included appropriating funds for more firefighting equipment and a state fire marshal. Other newly passed funding will go toward fire safety equipment and for the University of Hawaiʻi to develop a wildfire forecast system with the help of artificial intelligence.

RURAL COMMUNITIES

Colorado: Representative Meghan Lukens has sponsored a suite of legislation to invest in and partner with rural communities to strengthen and grow local businesses, improve commercial and public transportation, and support and train workers for jobs and careers in new and emerging industries. If passed, the Rail & Coal Transition Community Economic Measures will support “new opportunities for economic diversification in coal-transitioning communities, with a strong emphasis on maintaining rail as a critical economic development asset.” She writes, “As communities across Colorado navigate the economic complexities associated with the energy transition, it will be critical to ensure that existing rail lines are adequately maintained and that new freight and passenger rail demand is leveraged.”

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!