Mayors LaToya Cantrell, Eric Johnson, and Nan Whaley

Crisis Management and Pandemic Response

• Dallas (Mayor Johnson):
  • Early-march 2020 decision-making prioritized preventing hospital overcrowding, leading to the cancellation of the Southwest's largest St. Patrick's Day parade.
  • The city implemented lockdown measures restricting bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery only.
  • Dallas declared its first local disaster for the pandemic and a second for the George Floyd protests, marking a unique dual-crisis scenario.
  • Recent data shows a resurgence in Dallas COVID-19 cases following a period of flattening trends.
  • On June 1, peaceful protesters were fired upon with rubber bullets and tear gas on a signature bridge; the incident is currently under investigation.
  • The city is deploying mobile testing units and establishing new locations to ensure vulnerable populations are tested, acknowledging previous gaps in testing accessibility.
  • Mayor Johnson appointed a dedicated "disparity czar" with an epidemiology background to monitor and address health outcome inequalities.
• New Orleans (Mayor Cantrell):
  • The city swiftly canceled major gatherings including the Mardi Gras Indian Super Sunday and St. Patrick's Day parade.
  • New Orleans reported over 7,200 confirmed cases and 513 resident deaths, with a disproportionate impact on the African-American community and cultural bearers.
  • Over 79,000 residents are currently receiving unemployment insurance, and small businesses face significant hurdles in reopening.
  • The city is entering "Phase Two" of reopening while leveraging $50 million from a Goldman Sachs and HOPE partnership for local economic support.
  • Plans are underway to re-envision the French Quarter as a more pedestrian-friendly, social-distancing compliant zone to sustain tourism and local commerce.
• Dayton (Mayor Whaley):
  • The city is focusing on systemic reforms and equity following the disruptions of the pandemic and nationwide protests.
  • Dayton is raising local dollars specifically to support women and minority-owned small businesses.
  • A hub is being created in downtown Dayton to foster collaboration and scale entrepreneurship among the city's small business owners.

Economic Recovery and Business Support

• Dallas Small Business Continuity Fund:
  • The city launched a $5 million continuity fund utilizing CARES Act and CDBG funds to support vulnerable small businesses.
  • The Dallas Chamber of Commerce members matched the city's effort by raising a separate $5 million private sector fund, tripling the available capital to $15 million.
  • Major companies are adopting a "mentor-adopt" model, providing forgivable loans and meaningful mentorship to small businesses outside their immediate supply chains.
  • Private sector leaders in Dallas explicitly stated that the city cannot succeed if its small business enterprises fail.
• New Orleans Federal Advocacy:
  • Mayor Cantrell emphasized a critical need for additional federal support to address revenue losses that local and state funds cannot cover.
  • The city is advocating for "making cities whole" to ensure fiscal recovery for municipalities hit hardest by the pandemic.
• Dayton Advocacy:
  • Mayor Whaley highlighted a strategic partnership with Ohio Governor DeWine and Senator Brown to secure federal dollars for post-recovery investments.
  • The mayor warned that without federal investment, low-income communities and communities of color in Dayton will suffer the most severe long-term economic impacts.

Social Equity and Disparities

• Healthcare Disparities:
  • In Dallas, early infection data suggests a disproportionate impact on the Latino community, though death rates have not yet shown similar stratification.
  • Mayors noted that frontline workers in grocery and high-volume service sectors are disproportionately from minority communities, correlating with higher infection rates.
  • Pre-existing disparity gaps were exacerbated by the pandemic, forcing the most vulnerable populations to suffer the highest mortality and economic costs.
• Protest and Civil Unrest:
  • Dallas reports that while looting occurred, the vast majority of protests surrounding George Floyd's death were peaceful.
  • New Orleans leaders view the civil unrest as a necessary "revolution" to achieve more equitable wealth distribution and opportunities.
  • Mayors across all three cities emphasize the need for "swifter reforms" and systemic changes to address racism and inequality.
• Leadership Philosophy:
  • Leaders advocate for stepping outside "bubbles" to listen to marginalized communities and understand divergent lived experiences.
  • The consensus is that the crisis offers a unique opportunity to rebuild cities "better than they were before" the pandemic struck.

Forward-Looking Statements and Decisions

• Reopening Strategies:
  • Mayors are prioritizing the reopening of small businesses as the core engine of their respective economic recoveries.
  • New Orleans is exploring innovative, high-capacity, low-density business models to replace current restrictive measures.
  • Dallas is focusing on a long-term goal of economic resilience to prepare for future tragedies.
• Policy and Governance:
  • Mayors intend to use their platforms to advocate for federal policy shifts that prioritize urban revenue recovery.
  • There is a commitment to "bold" action and flexibility, with New Orleans explicitly rejecting rigid approaches in favor of swift adaptation.
  • Leaders anticipate that the pace of change regarding equity and technology will continue to outpace public adaptation, requiring sustained leadership efforts.