Tucson NewsNet Daily Digest - A Service of the City of Tucson
TRANSIT FARES TO BE WAIVED UNTIL END OF THE YEAR - The Mayor and Tucson City Council yesterday, Sept. 22, directed the City Manager and the Department of Transportation and Mobility to continue funding free fares for all transit system riders through the end of 2020. The council voted in March to waive fares as a way to keep drivers and riders safe during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City received nearly $44.3 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) via the CARES Act to cover system operations costs through the end of September 2020. Regular transit system operations in the City of Tucson are funded through a combination of federal money, the voter-approved Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the City of Tucson General Fund, and farebox recovery (the fares paid via ridership).
Read the Mayor and Council documents (item 2)
CENSUS DEADLINE IS ONE WEEK AWAY - With the Sept. 30 census completion deadline looming, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero is reminding Tucsonans of the importance of being counted, saying each response could provide up to $30,000 in funding for community resources. As part of a citywide census campaign, Romero’s recent PSAs (in English and Spanish) complement messages running across television, radio, social media, digital, and print. The goal of the campaign is to increase self-responses to ensure an accurate count. Census takers are knocking on doors of homes from which they've received no response. Workers will have official identification, wear masks, and follow local public health guidelines when they visit. Follow the links below for more information.
Watch the videos on the City of Tucson's YouTube page
United States Census 2020
COVID-19 WEDNESDAY UPDATE - As of today, Sept. 23, Arizona now has 215,284 positive coronavirus cases, with 438 new cases reported today (down from 595 yesterday). The total number of cases includes people who have recovered. Of that number, 25,004 cases are in Pima County (up 206 from yesterday). There have been 5,526 COVID-19 deaths in Arizona (27 reported today), and 613 of those occurred in Pima County (-4 reported after a data revision). Meanwhile, the City of Tucson maintains an up-to-date COVID-19 website (link below) that includes information for businesses, residents, and more. The site is updated as information evolves.
Data Dashboard from the Arizona Department of Health Services
City of Tucson COVID-19 website
TUCSON ROADRUNNERS TO GIVE AWAY FACE MASKS TONIGHT - The Tucson Roadrunners hockey team will again distribute free Roadrunners face coverings to fans in a drive-thru format. Tonight's, Sept. 23, event runs from 5-6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park (enter at 8100 block of East Escalante Road). If they're able, fans are asked to donate a can of food for everyone in their car who collects a face covering. The collected food items will be donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. For convenience and safety, fans will stay in their vehicles throughout the process. The team's final mask giveaway this month will be Sept. 30 at the Tucson Convention Center (in Lot B off Cushing Street). Fans are asked to wear their current face coverings when collecting their new ones and donating their cans of food.
From the Tucson Roadrunners
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
DEADLINE APPROACHING: JOIN THE COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT - At the direction of the Mayor and Tucson City Council, the City of Tucson is forming and seeking candidates for the Commission on Equitable Housing and Development (CEHD). City of Tucson employees are not eligible to apply, but they can attend the meetings, which are virtual for now. The commission will focus on increasing City investment in housing, preserving affordability while increasing housing production/stock, facilitating equitable conversations, and much more. Expectations of the commission are to review data (quantitative and qualitative), needs assessments, and additional information to explore strategies and develop recommendations for Mayor and Council consideration in key focus areas. Completed applications are due by 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28. If you have any questions, email loran.shamis@tucsonaz.gov.
For more information or to apply
View the founding ordinance
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