FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – More than 100 Texas mayors are urging the state’s Congressional delegation to give all cities the same access to federal coronavirus relief funds.
President Donald Trump signed a coronavirus aid bill into law last month that allocates $150 billion to states and local governments but it limits how cities with populations fewer than 500,000 receive their funds.
While larger cities are eligible to apply for money directly from the federal government, the smaller ones must request money from the governor.
Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams says without federal funding he may be forced to lay off staff in the police and fire departments
Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, of Arlington, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that “it’s pretty ridiculous” for a city the size of Arlington to be “left out.”
The 2018 census listed Arlington is the seventh-largest city in Texas. The city isn’t expected to meet the qualification for direct funding.
“This is what happens when you move something that large that quickly,” Wright said of the bill. “It’s arbitrary, it’s unfair, it’s unreasonable,.” said Rep. Wright.
The letter was signed by 111 Texas mayors, including Williams, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
(Copyright 2020 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)