HomeMy WebLinkAbout24893RESOLUTION NO. 24893
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY MONEY TO THE PEOPLE
TO ENSURE CRITICAL RELIEF TO AMERICAN FAMILIES DURING THE
COVID-19 CRISIS AND UNTIL OUR ECONOMY RECOVERS, AND TO
DEVELOP A FEDERAL GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM TO
PROVIDE AN INCOME FLOOR FOR ALL AMERICANS
WHEREAS, a novel coronavirus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
first appeared in December 2019 and has spread throughout the world, and on
March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic;
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a
national state of emergency concerning the novel coronavirus outbreak;
WHEREAS, the Trump Administration has failed to provide leadership to properly
reduce the spread of COVID-19;
WHEREAS, as of April 8, 2021, more than 556,000 Americans have died from
COVID-19 and nearly 31 million cases have been reported in the U.S.;
WHEREAS, the coronavirus pandemic has not only robbed our communities of
friends, family, and loved ones, but also many of our livelihoods;
WHEREAS, 46% of American households have experienced serious financial
trouble during the pandemic, including running out of savings, trouble affording food,
paying utility bills, and paying their rent or mortgage;
WHEREAS, low -wage workers have lost far more jobs and wages than top
earners due to the coronavirus pandemic;
WHEREAS, the economy has recovered just 12.4 million of the 22.2 million jobs
lost during the pandemic, with women accounting for 55% of overall net job loss since the
start of the crisis;
WHEREAS, Black and Hispanic workers are more likely to have experienced
COVID-19-related unemployment, as well as higher levels of food insecurity and nearly
twice as much difficulty meeting household expenses;
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act at the end of March, which included a package of relief and
stimulus programs including 1500 billion for large corporations and one-time 11,200
Economic Impact Payment (EIP) checks to individuals;
Resolution No. 24893
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WHEREAS, people spent the CARES Act EIP checks quickly, and most spent
them on food, rent, and utilities;
WHEREAS, when the CARES Act aid ran out, 8 million people were forced into
poverty; and;
WHEREAS, in December of 2020, the U.S. Congress passed the second
pandemic relief package, which included a $600 EIP check to most Americans;
WHEREAS, most Americans anticipated using this money for rent, food, and bills;
WHEREAS, the EIP checks to individuals were the primary reason that poverty fell
by as many as 4 million people at the start of the pandemic -caused recession;
WHEREAS, the EIP checks boosted the economy by increasing spending at all
income levels, and the most among low-income earners;
WHEREAS, in March of 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan,
which included a $1,400 EIP check for most Americans and $1,400 for each of their
qualifying dependents;
WHEREAS, the American Rescue Plan increased the child tax credit to $3,600 for
kids under age 6, and to $3,000 for children 17 and under, and will be made through
direct payments in 2021;
WHEREAS, direct cash payments to the American people help state and local
economies recover by putting more cash into local households and state budgets;
WHEREAS, data shows that unemployed Black workers are far less likely to
receive unemployment benefits than unemployed white workers;
WHEREAS, ongoing, direct cash payments put real money in the pockets of
people across the country, and increase spending in our communities;
WHEREAS, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 45 million Americans, or 12%
of the U.S. population, were living in poverty, including about 7 million employed people
who did not have resources to cover even the most basic necessities, despite working;
WHEREAS, nearly 40% of Americans could not afford a single $400 emergency
prior to the pandemic, and rising income inequality is compounded by an ever-growing
wealth divide;
WHEREAS, technology and automation are forecasted to further exacerbate the
economic insecurities of working-class Americas, potentially eliminating as much as 25%
of the workforce;
Resolution No. 24893
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WHEREAS, providing an income floor through which no American family could fall
will benefit individuals and communities both now and in the future; and
WHEREAS, these payments must include dependents and be available to non-
citizens, including undocumented people, permanent residents, and temporary visitors
whose stay exceeds three months; individuals who do not have a bank account, social
security number, or permanent address; people living in unincorporated territories or
protectorates and Americans living abroad.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS HEREBY
DETERMINES, DECLARES, APPROVES, AND RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. That the City of Palm Springs supports ongoing, direct cash
payments throughout the pandemic and until our economy recovers, and calls on
President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer to ensure such payments are
included in the next stimulus package; and, be it.
SECTION 2. That the City of Palm Springs urges formal local advocacy efforts
through the City to ensure such payments are included in the final stimulus package;
and, be it.
SECTION 3. That the City of Palm Springs urges President Biden, Speaker
Pelosi and Leader Schumer to develop an ongoing federal guaranteed income that
provides an income floor for all Americans.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall transmit this resolution to President Biden,
Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and local federal representatives.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY
COUNCIL THIS 27t" DAY OF May, 2021.
C
Justin lifton, City NYanager
ATTEST:
thony J. Mejik,
Resolution No. 24893
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CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 24893 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on May 27, 2021, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Garner, Kors, Woods, Mayor Pro Tern Middleton, and
Mayor Holstege
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of
the City of Palm Springs, California, this Z I St day of -J-,) — ` - ,
Anthony J. y Clerk
City of Pal Springs, California