Author Archive
Fixing Housing & Firearm Liability
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 7/26/2021
DMO Update
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Do you know a locally elected Democrat who doesn’t get the Digest? Send them the sign up form so they can start receiving updates from DMO.
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US Treasury guidance for local spending of American Rescue Plan funds is now out. Learn more at NationalDMO.org/treasury.
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Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
Video of the Week
John Oliver tackles housing discrimination, and how reparations would rebuild the financial security lost because of racist housing policies.
Tax Cuts & Going Green
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 7/19/2021
DMO Update
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Do you know a locally elected Democrat who doesn’t get the Digest? Send them the sign up form so they can start receiving updates from DMO.
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US Treasury guidance for local spending of American Rescue Plan funds is now out. Learn more at NationalDMO.org/treasury.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
- Spread the word on Biden’s Middle Class Family Tax Cut
Pic of the Week
The first child tax credit payments went out last week on July 15th, but families that don’t make enough to pay taxes can still sign up for assistance at whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit/sign-up/.
Federal Funding & Fair Competition
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 7/12/2021
DMO Update
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Make sure you are receiving updates from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
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US Treasury guidance for local spending of American Rescue Plan funds is now out. Learn more at NationalDMO.org/treasury.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
Advisory Board Updates
- AFT – Calling on state groups to sign on in support of President Biden’s Tax Plan
- Comcast – Cities should take advantage of the Administration’s Emergency Connectivity Fund
- Mayors Against Illegal Guns – City Gun Violence Reduction Insight Portal
News for Democrats
Bipartison Infastructure & Feeling the Heat
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 7/5/2021
DMO Update
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US Treasury guidance for local spending of American Rescue Plan funds is now out. Learn more at NationalDMO.org/treasury.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
Managing Heat & “Managed Retreat”
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 6/28/2021
DMO Update
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US Treasury guidance for local spending of American Rescue Plan funds is now out. Learn more at NationalDMO.org/treasury.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
- How ‘managed retreat’ can reinvent cities while protecting lives – It’s time to start consciously redesigning areas most impacted by climate change.
News for Democrats
DMO Resolution Supporting the LGBT Community and Celebrating Pride Month 2021
DMO Resolution Supporting the LGBT Community and Celebrating Pride Month 2021
WHEREAS, the 2015 Obergefell v Hodges Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage was a baseline for LGBT rights and not a finish line; and
WHEREAS, municipalities have often led on LGBT rights, including the prohibition of so called “conversion therapy” and establishment of anti-discrimination ordinances; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the City of Philadelphia unveiled a new pride flag to recognize LGBT people of color, who often face unique perils as marginalized people; and
WHEREAS, the Human Rights Campaign publishes an annual Municipal Equality Index to further the work of local government in securing LGBT rights; and
WHEREAS, the first Pride was a reaction against police violence, and the LGBT community still faces heightened risk of discrimination from law enforcement and the legal system; and
WHEREAS, the “gay panic” defense for murder is still legal in 38 states; and
WHEREAS, state legislatures have introduced more than 100 anti-trans bills in 2021 alone; and
WHEREAS, these bills include bans from youth sports, prohibit using gender affirming facilities, and enact a duty for teachers to report instances of gender non-conformity, and
WHEREAS, more than half of trans teens report seriously considering suicide, and
WHEREAS, gender affirming care for trans youth dramatically reduces the risk of suicide, and
WHEREAS, the medical establishment’s consensus is that trans youth should receive gender affirming care;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Democratic Municipal Officials celebrates Pride Month 2021, acknowledges the work municipalities have achieved in furthering LGBT rights, and recognizes the important work that still needs to be done.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, municipalities should ban the harmful practice of so called “conversion therapy”.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, wherever possible, municipalities should pass legislation promoting gender affirming care and enable trans youth to use the spaces that correspond to their identity.
Black History & Mayoral Fatigue
Democratic Municipal Officials Digest
Week of 6/21/2021
DMO Update
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US Treasury guidance for local spending of American Rescue Plan funds is now out. Learn more at NationalDMO.org/treasury.
Quick Links
Ideas for Cities
News for Democrats
- The GOP’s ‘Critical Race Theory’ Obsession – As Democrats spent the week commemorating black history, Republicans have been hard at work attempting to erase it.
DMO President Derek Green Statement on Juneteenth
DMO President Derek Green Statement on Juneteenth
“For over 150 years, the Black community has celebrated Juneteenth as the end of chattel slavery in the United States. I thank President Biden for recognizing June 19th as a federal holiday, formally marking its significance to our nation. Local elected Democrats across the country paved the way for this holiday with their own statements commemorating Juneteenth, and I applaud my fellow DMOs for their role in gaining this recognition.
Juneteenth is a day of Black joy. But it is also a day when we acknowledge that the end of slavery was not the end of oppression for Black Americans and other people of color. Let us use this holiday to celebrate Black emancipation, Black enfranchisement, and the ongoing work of the Black community to secure the life, liberty, and joy promised to all Americans.”
Derek Green
At-Large Councilmember, Philadelphia, PA
President, Democratic Municipal Officials
6 Things Local Elected Officials Can Do Today to Help Increase Vaccinations
Democratic Municipal Officials,
The White House has declared June a COVID vaccination Month of Action, sprinting to get more Americans vaccinated in time for July 4th. Below you can find six actions DMOs can take today to increase vaccination rates in your community.
You can also view the Biden Administration’s Fact Sheet on the Month of Action, and use the resources in the Digital Toolkit for spreading the word on social media. Be sure to tag @NationalDMO or send me an email at Nils.Robbins@NationalDMO.org so we can share your work directly with the White House.
Sincerely,
Nils Robbins
Communications and Operations Director
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Hollies Winston Named DMO Blue Star Candidate
The Board of Directors of Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) has named Hollies Winston a Blue Star Candidate in his race for Mayor of Brooklyn Park, MN. Born and raised in Minnesota, Winston’s campaign focuses on small business development, community safety, and engaging the full diversity of the Brooklyn Park community. Cities across America are recovering from the past four years, and this race represents our collective opportunity to move forward into security and prosperity as a united, welcoming nation.
DMO President and Philadelphia At-large Councilman Derek Green commented on Winston’s recommendation as a Blue Star Candidate. “Hollies is running to be a true public servant. His vision for Brooklyn Park is a city where everyone has access to thriving local businesses, life-long housing solutions, and community involvement in neighborhood security. I look forward to welcoming him to the ranks of DMO.”
DMO Board Member and Minnesota State Chair Gary Hansen (Council Member, Eagan) added “Hollies Winston believes that diversity is an asset, and he will work tirelessly to create an environment that embraces our differences and works for all of us. His leadership in Brooklyn Park will serve as an example to help guide our efforts to achieve equity and inclusion.”
Brooklyn Park shares a story with many Minnesota municipalities. Originating as a community of German and Scandinavian immigrants, it has expanded to include African Americans, Hmong, LatinX, and Native denizens. Among these is Winston’s own family, who moved to the area after the Great Migration.
Winston has a long history of ensuring no one is left behind in Brooklyn Park. He is the Chairman and CEO of Guaranteed America, an advocacy firm where he manages a coalition of businesses that support minority owned enterprises. Winston also sits on the Minnesota Asset Building Coalitions Strategic Board, where he advocates to non-profits and elected officials for resources that support minority and small businesses.
The DMO serves to connect, engage, and empower elected officials who identify as Democrats. Democratic Municipal Officials initiated the highly selective Blue Star Candidate program to draw national attention to local Democratic candidates, in particular when such an election would shift a mayor’s seat or council majority from red to blue. These candidates have been vetted and recommended by the DMO Board of Directors.
If you would like to learn more about Hollies Winston’s campaign or contribute you can visit https://hollieswinston.org/. Winston’s supporters include ASDC President Ken Martin and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and he has the backing of the DFL. Election Day is August 10th, so don’t wait to pitch in.