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

GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY

Rhode Island: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has updated the city’s PVD311 service for the first time since 2016, allowing residents to easily access and report issues with city services, while also creating electronic work orders for maintenance staff. The update consolidates incoming requests into a single online system, rather than delivering requests to various email inboxes, and is designed to expedite the delivery of city services. One member of Mayor Smiley’s team has likened the update to moving from a flip phone to a smart phone.

HEALTHCARE

Virginia: Delegate Irene Shin’s bill to improve maternal health was recently signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The legislation requires the Virginia Health Benefit Exchange to establish a special enrollment period for qualified pregnant women to enroll in a health plan, addressing long wait times for new enrollees that left many unable to schedule prenatal healthcare appointments.

HOUSING

California: Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore and the County Board recently updated the Housing Choice Voucher Program, expanding the availability and choices of assisted housing for low-income households across the county. Over the last five years, the Voucher Program has provided permanent housing to 223 households experiencing homelessness, and distributed 458 rental assistance vouchers, including Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing and Family Unification vouchers.

HOUSING

Nevada: Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui is one of the leaders of a package of legislation to address the state’s housing challenges. She has proposed requiring county and city governing bodies to adopt an ordinance to allow someone to apply for a permit to build housing on property zoned for commercial use and hopes that this effort “will cut red tape and streamline approval processes for new housing.”

TRANSPORTATION

Massachusetts: This week, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell celebrated the completion of the South Coast Rail project and opening of the Fall River/New Bedford Commuter Line. This is the first rail line to provide service from New Bedford to downtown Boston in over 65 years and will shorten commute times for riders and lessen traffic for drivers. “Intercity rail service between New Bedford and Boston will be yet another good reason to live in our region,” Mayor Mitchell said.

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!