Peduto seeks support from state, federal government

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto on Monday called on state and federal government officials to approve financial aid for workers, small business and cities struggling to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Peduto, who has been in self-quarantine since March 14, signed letters asking Congress to provide $250 billion in relief for municipalities and for state lawmakers to support the American Working Family Relief Action Plan.

The plan was created by more than 40 organizations and unions in Pennsylvania and has the support of the General Assembly’s Democratic Caucus, according to Peduto.

It calls for emergency funding to provide safety equipment and mental health support for health care workers; direct support for professionals and first responders; enhancement of food security programs; review and revision of public benefit and compensation eligibility requirements to support low-income workers; and suspension of foreclosures, utility shutoffs, evictions, credit defaults, school loan payments and liens for workers who may have been laid off or have reduced hours.

“People, and the small businesses that employ them, are under tremendous stress right now and we need to support them – just as they are supporting us as we deal with this pandemic,” the mayor said in a statement. “It’s time for our federal and state governments to do all they can to step up and deliver significant emergency funding.”

Peduto also joined more than 300 mayors from across the country calling for $250 billion in federal relief for cities facing “significant declines in revenues” while struggling to deliver basic services during the pandemic.