Pittsburgh Mayor Slams Federal Stimulus Package

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is no fan of the $900 billion second coronavirus stimulus package passed by Congress on Monday. Peduto sharply criticized the measure for not providing direct aid to cities teetering financially because of the pandemic and not providing more money directly to individuals.

"I am profoundly disappointed that direct financial assistance for cities was removed from the latest COVID relief package," Peduto said. "With the exclusion of cities from this stimulus package, our first responders and frontline essential workers who have worked tirelessly during this pandemic to protect our communities will be hurt the most."

Peduto said he was grateful for the relief that the package does deliver, including unemployment compensation protections, rental assistance programs, support for restaurants and small businesses and relief for music and entertainment venues. But he called the $600 payments to individuals, down from $1,200 in the first relief package, "not enough to relieve struggling families of the devastating effects the pandemic has had on their livelihood."

Peduto expressed optimism that the incoming Congress and presidential administration will revisit the commitment to direct relief for cities and pass an additional stimulus package that fully meets the country's needs.