May 7, 2020
Dear Governor Abbott,
First, thank you for your guidance and leadership during this uniquely challenging time. As mayors from cities across Texas, we fully understand the need to revitalize economic opportunity for all Texans while also ensuring we are doing all we can to protect public health by stopping the spread of COVID-19. We stand ready to assist you in this endeavor in every way possible.
On March 27th, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which provided over $2 trillion in emergency relief funds to help mitigate the financial harm caused by COVID-19. Included in the funding was $11.24 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), which was split between the state of Texas and local governments in Texas with populations exceeding 500,000. While the six largest cities in Texas received a direct allocation of this funding from the federal government, no other Texas city has received CRF revenue to assist with disaster response. Needless to say, the virus representing our common enemy at the moment does not acknowledge city boundaries or population distinctions. Every single Texas city has a role to play in the battle for our state’s health and prosperity.
To that end, we’ve been encouraged to learn that your office is currently establishing a program for the distribution of a portion of the state’s revenue received from the CRF to cities with populations under 500,000. This funding is critical to support Texas cities and the services they are providing on the front lines of the COVID-19 emergency. We ask that you consider allowing any funds received by Texas cities to be used in the most flexible manner permitted by law. Though the U.S. Department of Treasury’s guidance prohibits the use of CRF funds for revenue replacement of budget shortfalls in governments’ budgets, there are ongoing discussions at the congressional level about potentially expanding permissible CRF expenditures to include revenue replacement. Should federal legislation allow for increased expenditure flexibility, we request that any state program follow suit.
However, we are concerned that guidelines on how to apply for that funding have not yet been released to the public. Cities are now in the midst of preparing budgets, and barring CRF information, cities are left with making tough budgetary decisions that affect their entire communities and organization. Furthermore, there is no clear indication on where cities, that are under the 500,000-population requirement, but fall within a county receiving assistance from the CRF, should apply for funding. These cities are unsure on whether to work with the state or with their county on financial assistance. We ask that application guidelines, including a clarification for cities within a 500,000-population county, be published swiftly so that cities can continue to plan and provide public services without serious interruption.
Texas cities are in a unique position to both stem the tide of COVID-19 in Texas, and to help spark our economic recovery. With the necessary resources, we are confident that Texas cities will lead the state back towards a prosperous and vibrant future.
Sincerely,
Eddie Daffern, TML President Karen Hunt, TML President-Elect Mayor, City of Staples Mayor, City of Coppell
Martha Castex-Tatum, Vice Mayor Pro Tem City of Houston Ron Nirenberg, Mayor City of San Antonio
Steve Adler, Mayor City of Austin Betsy Price, Mayor City of Fort Worth
Dee Margo, Mayor City of El Paso Joe McComb, Mayor City of Corpus Christi
Jeff Williams, Mayor City of Arlington Ginger Nelson, Mayor City of Amarillo
Dan Pope, Mayor City of Lubbock
Harry LaRosiliere, Mayor City of Plano
Jeff Cheney, Mayor City of Frisco Toby Powell, Mayor
City of Conroe
Scott LeMay, Mayor City of Garland
Jane Hughson, Mayor City of San Marcos
Joe Zimmerman, Mayor City of Sugar Land Kenny Phillips, Mayor City of Mobile City
Rick Stopher, Mayor City of Irving
Henry Wilson, Mayor City of Hurst
George Fuller, Mayor City of McKinney
Linda Martin, Mayor City of Euless
Chris Watts, Mayor City of Denton Cecelia Cissy Gonzalez-Dippel, Mayor City of Floresville
Ron Jensen, Mayor City of Grand Prairie Larry Vernon, Mayor City of Eastland
James D. Yarbrough, Mayor City of Galveston
Laurie Blanco, Mayor City of Dalworthington Gardens Bill Blackburn, Mayor City of Kerrville
Tom Daly, Mayor Andrew S. Friedberg, Mayor City of Selma City of Bellaire
Roy Tovar, Mayor Michel J. Bechtel, Mayor City of Waelder City of Morgan’s Point
Don Denbow, Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor City of Corsicana City of Pharr
GeoJan Wright GeoJan Wright, Mayor City of Coffee City Michael Barnhart, Mayor City of Lake Dallas
Flora Brady, Mayor City of Andrews Manny Baeza, Mayor City of Marfa
Gerald Joubert, Mayor City of Forest Hill Susie Houston Susie Houston, Mayor Town of Laguna Vista Lynn Ramsey Lynn Ramsey, Mayor City of Shamrock Lane Horwood Lane Horwood, Mayor City of Sterling City Dorothy Welch Jim McInnis Dorothy Welch, Mayor Jim McInnis, Mayor City of Splendora City of Hamilton
Thomas G. Kolupski, Mayor Steve Spicer, Mayor City of Seabrook City of Jamaica Beach
Lynda Lynn Lynda Lynn, Mayor City of Electra Jim McKenzie, Mayor
City of Sweetwater Garry Manitzas Garry Manitzas, Mayor City of Fair Oaks Ranch
Glen Smith Scott Neu, Mayor City of Lindsay Glen Smith, Mayor
City of Palacios Trey Mendez Keith Short Trey Mendez, Mayor City of Brownsville Keith Short, Mayor City of McLendon-Chisholm
Stephen Mason, Mayor City of Cedar Hill Cathy Young, Mayor City of Chillicothe Doyle Robinson Doyle Robinson, Mayor David Rutledge City of Panhandle David Rutledge, Mayor City of Bridge City Pam Frederick Pam Frederick, Mayor City of Bullard Lisa B. Pierce Lisa B. Pierce, Mayor Gilbert Gomez, Mayor City of Kirby City of Robstown
Paul Johnson David R. Turner David R. Turner, Mayor Paul Johnson, Mayor City of Odessa City of Jonestown
BJ McGinnis BJ McGinnis, Mayor City of Blanket Martin Heines, Mayor City of Tyler
George R. Haehn David Suarez, Mayor City of Weslaco George R. Haehn, Mayor City of Buda
Roger Shugart Ritch Wheeler Roger Shugart, Mayor City of Brazoria Ritch Wheeler, Mayor City of Shenandoah
Billy P.Davis Billy P. Davis, Mayor City of Crowley Dale Ross, Mayor
City of Georgetown
Cathy Skurow, Mayor Carl Marino City of Portland Carl Marino, Mayor City of Fayetteville
Gary Chumley Gary Chumley, Mayor Galen Mansee City of Gatesville Galen Mansee, Mayor City of Stagecoach
Stephen L. Santellana, Mayor City of Wichita Falls Mary Moore Mary Moore, Mayor City of Pearsall Joe Chow, Mayor Town of Addison
Trudia Preston William D. Sciscoe, Mayor Trudia Preston, Mayor City of Dish City of Goliad
Andrew L. Smith Frank George Andrew L. Smith, Mayor Frank George, Mayor City of Hillsboro City of Kirbyville
Mark Groneman Mark Groneman, Mayor City of Vega
Emmanuel Wealthy, Mayor City of Wilmer Bob Bruggeman, Mayor City of Texarkana
Thurman Bill Bartie, Mayor City of Port Arthur
Anita Rodriguez, Mayor City of Yoakum
Luis D. Carrera Jeff Jordan, Mayor City of Kaufman Luis D. Carrera, Mayor City of Cockrell Hill
Nancy Moore Nancy Moore, Mayor Pro Tem City of Tye Brenda Gunter, Mayor City of San Angelo Charles Bujan Charles Bujan, Mayor City of Port Aransas
Jason Tabor, Mayor Royking Potter, Mayor City of Santa Fe City of Shallowater
Nancy Ruckstaetter Nancy Ruckstaetter, Mayor City of Log Cabin Victor A. Contreras, Mayor City of Marion
Bruce Archer Janice Whitehead Bruce Archer, Mayor City of Mesquite Janice Whitehead, Mayor City of Sealy
Frank Moreno Curtistene S. McCowan Frank Moreno, Mayor City of Crystal City Curtistene S. McCowan, Mayor City of DeSoto
Andy Williams Andy Williams, Mayor
Cyndie Rathbun, Mayor City of Nolanville Town of Rancho Viejo Clarence Burns Nick Sanders Clarence Burns, Mayor Nick Sanders, Mayor City of Linden Town of Trophy Club
Phyllis Santleben Phyllis Santleben, Mayor Todd Purcell, Mayor City of Castroville City of Dripping Springs
Harold D. Chandler, Mayor City of East Tawakoni Lindsey L. Webb, Mayor City of Abernathy
Oscar Trevino Oscar Trevino, Mayor City of North Richland Hills Johnnie Hauerland, Mayor City of Meridian
John Packer, Mayor City of Marble Falls Terri Brown, Mayor City of Marshall
Bruno Lozano, Mayor
City of Del Rio Sara Post Meyer, Mayor City of Cuero James C. Samples James C. Samples, Mayor City of Hughes Springs
Ray Smith, Mayor Sam Miller Town of Prosper Sam Miller, Mayor City of Sudan George Rivera George Rivera, Mayor Becky Ames City of Palm Valley Becky Ames, Mayor City of Beaumont Allyson Crenshaw
Allyson Crenshaw, Mayor City of Robert Lee
Lewis Ivey Jerry B. Dittrich, Mayor Lewis Ivey, Mayor City of Benbrook City of Diboll
Leroy Hughes Leroy Hughes, Mayor City of San Augustine Geronimo M. Gonzales, Mayor City of Brownfield Tom Simons Tom Simons, Mayor City of Hereford Merle Aaron, Mayor City of Humble
Mark Turner Mark Turner, Mayor City of Wills Point Jose Segarra, Mayor City of Killeen
Benjamin Gomez, Mayor City of San Benito
Scott Cain, Mayor Scott Anderson City of Cleburne Scott Anderson, Mayor City of Patton Village Jim Olk Jim Olk, Mayor City of Lucas
cc: Texas Congressional Delegation Texas State Senate Texas House of Representatives Governor Strike Force to Open Texas