LMR September 2020

Municipalities
LMA’s Strong Congressional Partnership
BY BRANDON BREWER, LMA LEGISLATIVE LIAISON
The Louisiana Municipal Association
prides itself on well-built
relationships with our congressional
delegation. Throughout the
year, LMA stays in constant contact
with the members and their staff
ensuring ways we can support
each other as it pertains to
local issues. The senators and
congressmen show continuous
support of our association by attending and addressing
our membership at the LMA Annual Mid-Winter
Conference and the LMA Annual Convention. This gives
LMA members a great advantage by hearing updates
directly from the federal level as well as building
relationships in person.
Each year, the congressional delegation welcomes LMA
members with open arms as we attend meetings and
receptions in Washington D.C. in conjunction with
the NLC Congressional City Conference. During these
visits, we engage the delegation and their staff about
the needs of our members as it relates to the success
of our communities. The ability to have face time with
the senators, congressmen, and the congressional
staff reinforces LMA’s relations on the federal level as
well as our members. Successful relationships bring
additional benefits to our membership. This past year,
U.S. Congressman Garret Graves took LMA members
on a private night tour to see iconic and historic rooms
of the United States Capitol including the Statuary Hall,
Rotunda, and House Chamber. A highlight of the evening
was standing out on the Speaker’s Balcony overseeing
Capitol Hill. The same balcony where Presidents, Popes
and other monumental leaders have stood. Over the last
several months, LMA’s close partnership in Washington
has proven to be a huge asset for our members.
2020 has already shaped up to be a challenging year for
local government. Louisiana’s cities, towns, and villages
have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. During
this crucial time, our congressional delegation has been
fighting to secure funds for local government and our
communities from lost revenues. Congress passed
a key piece of legislation regarding the pandemic.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security
(CARES) Act provided payments to state and local
governments and to help them navigate the impact of
the COVID-19 outbreak on their communities. Senator
Bill Cassidy helped introduce the State and Municipal
Aid for Recovery and Transition Act (SMART), which
has not passed in the Senate as of now. Protecting
essential municipal employees from being laid off is
a key component of the SMART Act. Police officers,
firefighters, teachers, sanitation workers and other
municipal personnel are essential to our communities.
Senator John Kennedy’s Coronavirus Relief Fund
Flexibility for State and Local Government Act has been
included in the Senate’s coronavirus relief package.
The bill would give state and local governments more
flexibility as they use funds provided by the Coronavirus
Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility for State and
Local Government Act would allow states and local
governments to use CARES Act funding for operating
expenses unrelated to the coronavirus. This bill does
not allow officials to spend this CARES Act money
on shoring up their pension funds. The CARES Act
established the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund,
which has provided payments to state, local and tribal
governments to help them respond to the coronavirus
pandemic. Every state received at least $1.25 billion from
this allocation.
Municipal budgets are being depleted and this funding
is vital to sustain local government. The Louisiana
delegation played a crucial role and took the lead back
home to ensure that local government’s needs are a top
priority. LMA is continuing to assist the congressional
delegation to alleviate the hardships felt by our members
during this pandemic. LMA and our members are urging
Congress for direct funding to help offset diminished tax
revenues.
Negotiations are currently at a standstill between the
House and Senate leadership over the HEROES Act
passed by the House of Representatives in the House
and the recently introduced Senate HEALS Act. A key
disagreement is whether to provide direct funding to
states and local governments to help offset diminished
revenues to address continued COVID-19 efforts. Efforts
to use flexibility in the use of CARES Act funds similar
to the Kennedy bill have been floated by the Senate
leadership as a compromise, however it likely will not
benefit Louisiana municipalities, as the $525 million in
CARES Act funds appropriated to local governments will
likely be used. The LMA and National League of Cities
held a virtual press conference August 19 featuring four
Louisiana Mayors: Ronny Walker of Ruston, David C.
Butler of Woodworth, Nic Hunter of Lake Charles and
Ben Zahn of Kenner. The mayors discussed employment,
small business, and infrastructure challenges their
LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 9