OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three things you need to know from this past week:
- On Thursday, before meeting with President Trump, Governor DeWine tested positive for the coronavirus after receiving a rapid COVID-19 test. A subsequent non-rapid test called a PCR test was administered that confirmed Governor DeWine does not have the coronavirus. First Lady Fran DeWine and several of the governor's staff also tested negative for COVID-19. We are glad to hear that Gov. DeWine is in good health and wish the Governor and his family well.
- A Franklin County Common Pleas judge has upheld Governor DeWine's emergency statewide ban on alcohol sales after 10 p.m. after a group of Columbus establishments with liquor licenses sought to have a temporary restraining order issued against the rule.
- The DeWine Administration is setting up an "e-warrant" system in ten counties to make it easier to enter warrants and protection orders into a national database. The program currently does not have penalties for officials who do not enter the court orders into the databases, but DeWine is urging Ohio lawmakers to pass legislation that would make such entries mandatory.
- The League wants to thank Governor DeWine for joining the Mayors Association of Ohio weekly call to discuss the issues facing Ohio's cities and villages and answer questions from our mayors. We appreciate his continued leadership and work on behalf of Ohio's local communities.
LEAGUE TO HOST WEBINAR ON RACIAL EQUITY
Our communities, our state and our country have experienced very difficult times recently as segments of our societies have suffered through often unintended policies that created a culture of disenfranchisement and oppression as it relates to issues of systematic racism and social injustice. As a state association representing the municipal officials providing direct and tangible leadership for their constituents every day, we hear the call for action and we want to provide the important resources our leaders need to examine current issues that may have undesirable impacts upon minority communities.
On Wednesday, August 12 at 11 a.m., the Ohio Municipal League (OML) and the National League of Cities (NLC) are partnering together to host the first in a series of webinars on how communities can discuss and advance the important issue of race equity.
This first webinar will be an introductory presentation on how to identify issues in the discussion of racial equity, how to approach race-related issues and normalize race-related conversations, and to begin looking at what other local leaders around the state are doing to engage their residents and policymakers on this critical issue. Subsequent webinars will provide valuable information on how municipal leaders can operationalize these tools to better engage all aspects of our communities, organize efforts for greater inclusion, and implement discussions and solutions to make holistic improvements on how our cities and villages serve all of their residents. You can register HERE.
FEDERAL UPDATES: SENATE AND WHITE HOUSE NEAR END OF NEGOTIATIONS ON PHASE 4 CORONAVIRUS AID; WHITE HOUSE CONTEMPLATING INTERVENTION
We want to once again thank Irma Esparza Diggs, Senior Executive and Director of Federal Advocacy for the National League of Cities (NLC), for providing continuing updates on the efforts of the federal government to reach an agreement on additional assistance to state and local governments. Below is the latest information on where the negotiations stand.
Final Phase 4 Coronavirus Aid May Contain State and Local Funding:
The White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows marked Friday as the deadline for congressional Democrats and the Administration to reach an agreement in principle. Democrats so far have held firm on their demands that any bill be at least $3 trillion dollars.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin brought firm proposals to the table to try to move the discussions along. The negotiating pair from the Administration offered $400-per-week for enhanced unemployment benefits until December 15. Democrats are holding firm for $600 per week.
In addition, a breakthrough occurred on state and local funding, according to Politico. The Administration appears to be offering $200 billion in aid to state and local governments. Democrats claim that the offer was only $150 billion.
Whether it was $150 billion or $200 billion, the concession from the White House that aid to state and local governments is essential represents progress in the discussions. Up to this point, the White House offered nothing for state and local governments except more flexibility on how coronavirus relief funds are spent.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday that the Senate would be in session next week. This signals that progress is likely being made and that Congress may need to vote on a bill as early as next week.
The White House has indicated that unless an agreement can be reached, executive orders may be used to implement some of the changes being considered it the stimulus negotiations.
NLC Continues to Lobby Congressional Offices via "Cities are Essential" Campaign:
Throughout the "Cities are Essential Campaign", NLC has consistently emailed congressional offices as well as the Administration to provide fiscal impact data, respond to false narratives, and provide greater insight on the need for economic relief for our nation's cities, towns and villages.
The NLC has sent an email correspondence to each office in both the Senate and the House which highlighted how much of the CARES Act funding cities can expect to receive by state, which you can read HERE.
We strongly encourage our members to call their Senators and House members to reiterate to them how important funding is for cities. If you have not yet called, please call. If you have already called, call again. If you have any questions or need help reaching your elected officials, reach out to advocacy@nlc.org.
UPDATE ON OHIO COVID-19 RESPONSE
- As of Thursday afternoon, Ohio is reporting 97,471 cases of coronavirus, 3,618 deaths, 11,366 hospitalizations and 2,627 ICU admissions.
- Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio's former director of the Ohio Department of Health, has decided to leave state employment and return to her role at the Columbus Foundation, where she worked previously.
Education Updates:
- The Ohio Department of Health will issue a health order requiring that K-12 children wear face coverings while at school. The new mandate comes after the Ohio Children's Hospital Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Ohio Chapter issued a joint letter today recommending widespread use of masks in schools.
- Exceptions to the K-12 health order for face coverings include: children under the age of 2 years old; any child unable to remove the face covering without assistance; a child with a significant behavioral/psychological issue undergoing treatment that is exacerbated specifically by the use of a facial covering (e.g. severe anxiety or a tactile aversion); a child living with severe autism or with extreme developmental delay who may become agitated or anxious wearing a mask; a child with a facial deformity that causes airway obstruction.
Testing Updates:
- Ohio is entering into a multi-state purchasing agreement with Maryland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Virginia to expand the use of rapid point-of-care tests. More rapid point-of-care testing will help Ohio detect outbreaks sooner with faster turnaround time, expand testing in congregate settings, and make testing more accessible for the most high-risk and hard-hit communities.
Warnings on Community Spread:
- Governor DeWine also continued to warn Ohioans about community spread connected to informal gatherings between family and friends. New data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows the amount of community spread per county over the past two weeks. (See graphic below)
- Governor DeWine is sending a letter to Ohio's faith-based community to share important health information with Ohio churches, synagogues, and mosques and to share ways to better protect their worshipers. One case study shows that a man with COVID-19 attended a church service in Ohio, and following that service, 91 additional people from five counties developed symptoms.
Business and Employment Updates:
- 302 Ohio companies have been approved for TechCred funding, allowing them another opportunity to upskill their current and future employees with technology-focused skills. The next application period of the TechCred program opens today, August 4th and closes on August 31st. You can learn more about the program at TechCred.Ohio.gov.
- Ohioans filed 25,952 initial claims for unemployment compensation last week, according to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS). The total represents a drop from about 2,000 from the prior week, when the state received 27,937 new applications. Ohioans filed 404,434 continued jobless claims last week - 371,868 fewer than the state's peak earlier this year. ODJFS reported it has sent over $5.8 billion in unemployment compensation payments to move than 771,000 Ohioans over the last 20 weeks.
- The U.S. Department of Labor reported approximately 1.19 million new jobless claims were filed nationwide last week, down from roughly 1.44 million the previous week.
NLC TO HOST WEBINAR ON COVID-19 FISCAL IMPACTS AND COMMUNITY EQUITY
Across the country, local leaders are on the frontlines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National League of Cities (NLC) recognizes that as a local leader, these are challenging times.
NLC is hosting a virtual summit Aug. 13-14 that brings together leaders from across the country to discuss "Equitable Solutions for the Future of the City."
Participants can attend expert-led sessions featuring innovative solutions to combat the financial impact of COVID-19 and best practices workshops to address disparities from this pandemic as well as how to lead conversations in your community that promote equity.
The Constituency Groups Virtual Summit is an opportunity to engage with peers and other local leaders. Constituency Groups are caucuses within NLC Membership that share common interests and help to support diversity in local government. You can register HERE.
HOMESERVE USA TO HOST WEBINAR ON WATER AND SEWER INFRASTUCTURE
On Thursday, August 13, at 2 p.m., HomeServe USA will be hosting a webinar entitled "Ohio's Aging Infrastructure- Challenges and Solutions for Municipalities, Utilities, and Homeowners." You can read the description for the webinar below:
Ohio's aging water and sewer infrastructure is a growing problem for municipalities, utilities and the homeowners they serve. The webinar will address this issue and pose solutions that can help:
- Recover lost revenue
- Improve public and private infrastructure
- Educate and protect homeowners
- Assist disadvantaged citizens in your community
