Newark May Furlough Workers If It Doesn’t Get Coronavirus Relief

NEWARK, NJ — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka put it bluntly during Thursday’s news conference at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center: the city needs coronavirus relief from the feds, and it needs it now.

According to Baraka, if Newark doesn’t get some financial assistance from the federal government, it may have to furlough some city employees and possibly look into buyouts. Ultimately, that would impact vital city services during a time when they’re needed most, he said.

“We need help,” Baraka urged, pointing out that federal relief packages have offered billions to large corporations and businesses, but little to help cities like Newark.

• See related article: NJ May Have To Return $1.8B In Federal Coronavirus Aid

Newark has tried to do what it can on a local level to help residents and businesses deal with the COVID-19 crisis, Baraka said.

For example, in the early stages of the pandemic, the city put in several of its own stimulus/aid packages to help residents.

• See related article: Newark Will Pump Up To $6M Into Coronavirus Relief

However, those packages – and the additional burden on health, public safety and sanitation services – have put a “significant dent” in the city’s budget, the mayor said.

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Baraka said he is asking New Jersey’s federal lawmakers, including Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker and Representatives Albio Sires and Donald Payne Jr., to push legislation to get replacement funding for the city.

Baraka also noted his support for legislation being introduced by Menendez, which would allocate $500 billion to state and local governments in all U.S. states and territories. According to Baraka, the package would prioritize funding to the hardest hit states, using a formula that considers state population, infection rates and revenue loss. It would also increase the flexible use of funding so it can be spent to plug unforeseen revenue gaps.

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