In a recent article, originally appearing in the August 13 ‘Bond Buyer,’ Mark Zandi, Chief Economist for Moody’s Analytics, predicts a ‘double-dip’ recession for the U.S. economy if Congress and the Trump administration fail to agree on additional federal aid for state and local governments. ‘Moody’s Analytics estimates that state governments face a revenue loss of through fiscal 2022 of $312.3 billion and the number totals around $500 billion if local governments are included.’
With both Houses in recess, after failing to reach an agreement on the next coronavirus relief bill, the next few weeks are crucial. In a recent ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, National League of Cities (NLC) President Joe Buscaino, President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council, noted, ‘The current stalemate in Congress over the next emergency relief package is a clear and distressing message to local officials that some in Congress and the Administration remain unconvinced or unaware of the grim reality facing communities large and small across the nation. … It’s been a long fight, but we can’t give up now. Your voices matter, your communities matter. We ask that you continue to take action by letting your members of Congress know that Cities Are Essential.’
Contact: Jon Moran, Senior Legislative Analyst, jmoran@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x121.
