Austin learns how to ‘budget for equity’

Thirty cities across the U.S. will participate in a program to help “local governments confront budget pressures while supporting their commitment to equity in the wake of Covid-19” – and Austin has been selected to be one of those cities. The City Budgeting for Equity and Recovery program, a project of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities, “is designed to help cities develop and implement plans to drive financial recovery in a way that safeguards low-income residents and communities of color.” Founder Michael R. Bloomberg said in a news release announcing the program, “Cities across the country are facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis. Revenues are down, demand for services is up, there is uncertainty about what support cities will receive from the federal government, and there are urgent needs around racial equity. Through this new initiative, we will offer municipal leaders tools to help them navigate the crisis, setting a path more cities can follow as they develop their own recovery plans.” Austin’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo said, “We look forward to teaming up with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the 29 other participating cities in using the latest data, trusted expertise and peer input to build on our progress and make sure our recovery works for everyone.”