LOC News
Action Alert - ARPA Funds Claw Back
Time Sensitive – Contact Oregon’s Senators NOW!
The National League of Cities learned a short time ago that some members of Congress are trying to CLAW BACK ARPA funds from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) to balance an additional budget request that would continue COVID-19 supportive resources, including vaccines and additional testing. A letter has been circulating from a mix of Republican and Democratic Senators to take back $7 billion in uncommitted/distributed funding.
City Leaders - Your Talking Points are Simple:
- Demand that Oregon’s Senators oppose any effort to claw-back the funds that were clearly intended to provide states, tribes and local governments time to make good decisions for project funding that made sense for their communities.
- These funds have been a lifeline for cities, towns, and villages nationwide. The money has made a difference in communities across America, helping residents, businesses, and essential workers. Without these dollars, municipalities would have been an added drag on the economic recovery as they were during the Great Recession, instead of helping the country bounce back.
- Taking relief away from local governments could not come at a worse time. Cities and towns are putting post-pandemic economic recovery plans into effect, and local budgets are being passed with an understanding that SLFRF funds can be counted on. If cut, it will impact nearly every city and town as an economically harmful unanticipated decline in revenue.
Because Oregon received both tranches of funding in 2021, our funds should not be in jeopardy. However, there are plenty of other states at risk, and Oregon’s cities need to show support for other states in a different circumstance.
Your contact points for Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley are below.
Senator Merkley
Portland - (503) 326-3386
Bend - (541) 318-1298
Eugene - (541) 465-6750
Medford – (541) 608-9102
Baker City - (541) 278-1129
Senator Wyden
Portland - (503) 326-7525
Salem - (503) 589-4555
Eugene - (541) 431-0229
Bend - (541) 330-9142
La Grande - (541) 962-7691
Medford - (541) 858-5122
LOC Contact: Jim McCauley, Legislative Director – jmccauley@orcities.org
Last Updated 3/9/22