Im keeping this brief and to the point. Local leaders have been sounding at definite alarm for months about the need for direct fiscal assistance from washington as the virus rages in our city. Our budgets are under extreme stress. Arts fences are skyrocketing. Our essential lifesaving services are strained. The need for public assistance is through the roof. This has been going on since the beginning of the pandemic since march of last year. Today, only 38 cities have received direct relief yet mayors everywhere continue to do what we do everyday. We get it done. We run our cities with a balanced budget which we are required to do by law. So what does that mean . How do we possibly do that in the face of this tremendous crisis . It means the cut jobs. It means eliminating services and staff at the same time. Our First Responders have been on the job since day one of this pandemic transporting those with covid to hospitals with Public Health initiatives keeping social and family order
I want to thank her for an sent the National League of cities in the National Association of counties for their sheer dedication to this issue on badly needed federal assistance as we continue to fight the covid19 pandemic. A quick note for members of the press joining us today, we will take questions after brief opening remarks. If you have a question, please put your name and media outlet in the chat and well call on you. Im keeping this brief and to the point. Im keeping this brief and to the point. Local leaders have been sounding at definite alarm for months about the need for direct fiscal assistance from washington as the virus rages in our city. Fences are skyrocketing. Our essential lifesaving services are strained. The need for public assistance is through the roof. This has been going on since the beginning of the pandemic since march of last year. Today, only 38 cities have received direct relief yet mayors everywhere continue to do what we do everyday. We get it done. We r
I want to thank gary for his to improve rts Economic Development and wish im nothing but the best in a elldeserved retirement. Mr. Speaker, i rise to bring attention to kentuckys avoidable economic failures during this very serious pandemic. Unfortunately covid19 has taken a harsh toll on the economies of all 50 states. However, harmful policies from democratrun states have only made the problem worse. At a time when we should be encouraging the safe reopening of our economy, kentuckys governor recently issued an order shutting down schools and indoor dining. Kentuckys restaurants were already suffering from the last round of shutdowns. And this shortsighted order will only cause more pain and suffering. To make matters worse, our governor is producing no data to justify the need to shut down businesses which have dramatically adjusted to the challenges presented by covid19. And in the end of inperson learning will only create more challenges for students and teachers. Furthermore, it
The departments working equity group and drafting a plan that addresses racial and equity issues within the department, as well as we will be proposing ways to address these issues. As a key first step, the department recently distributed a confidential and anonymous Racial Equity survey to all d. B. I. Employees, and i urge all employees to review and participate in this. [inaudible] an Important Survey by the close of october 30. I stress october 30 would be the perfect day to get that in there. The survey is anonymous, so be candid and constructive in your suggestions to make d. B. I. A place to work for all. Finally, i want to say that d. B. I. Is fulfilling its duties on behalf of all professionals, so thank you to all the staff during this pandemic. The Public Health requires multiple challenges under alleging conditions, and we are all deeply impressed with our staffs achievements to date. Madam secretary and everyone, thank you for attending our Virtual Meeting today and contin