Acting Mayor of Anchorage ends COVID-19 emergency declaration Sydney Kurle | May 27, 2021
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The reason for Quinn-Davidson’s decision was the recent drop in COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines. She cited the “significant” downturn in COVID-19 cases in the city in the past two weeks as the basis for her decision.
“We’re able to end the emergency today for two reasons: an improved public health situation and a reduced need for the administrative flexibility granted under local emergency declaration.”
The emergency declaration allowed the mayor to issue emergency orders in response to the crisis. These orders included the city’s mask mandate and limits on gathering sizes, among others.
Where the money is going The handful of changes to the acting mayor’s proposal include a $437,500 allocation for the Alaska Black Caucus to acquire an office space to provide services to Black, Indigenous and people of color who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The Assembly also provided extra funds for a South Anchorage food pantry. Another change diverted some funds to Covenant House Alaska for emergency rapid rehousing of homeless youths, among other changes. A large chunk of the package, about $21.5 million, will replenish several existing city programs. Most provide direct economic relief, such as grants to small businesses and nonprofits. City officials say the money will allow those programs to clear their waitlists.
Wed, 05/19/2021 - 10:21am
Mayoral candidate Dave Bronson spoke to supporters gathered at the Main Event Grill after the polls closed during the runoff election on Tuesday, May 11. (Photo/Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News)
Two things have become clear over the past four weeks in Anchorage, one that was always more certain than the other.
First, we found out that the Anchorage Assembly has, and indeed always had, the power to revise or revoke the emergency orders handed down from the mayor’s office.
Second, as Dave Bronson’s lead grew to 1,212 votes in the runoff election for mayor as of May 18, we have learned that contra the supposed conventional wisdom, an unapologetic and unashamed conservative can still win a citywide race in Anchorage.
Special meeting of Anchorage Assembly centers on allocation of $51 6M in federal COVID-19 relief funding msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.