WASHINGTON – Following today’s release of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report for the month of May, Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities made the following statement:
“While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the country gained 2.5 million jobs in May, the economic recovery of our nation is uneven. The pandemic continues to do financial damage to the families and workers of our nation’s cities, towns and villages, including nearly 500,000 local government jobs lost last month. Local governments have ensured essential services are delivered throughout the pandemic, but permanent unemployment continues to grow, and state and local governments face significant losses in revenue.
“Washington must act in support of our national and local economies. America’s communities are looking for a federal plan to help us safely reopen the country and rebuild the national economy through support for our cities and our middle-class workers.
The National League of Cities is calling on Congress and the Administration to provide direct, emergency funding to cities, towns and villages across the country. We must ensure communities remain ready to reopen and recover from the pandemic – and we need a united national partnership to get back to a safe, healthy and prosperous life.”
You can view NLC’s latest resource, “What COVID-19 Means for City Finance” here. Visit the Cities Are Essential campaign website for more information and resources for local leaders.
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The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.