 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COUNCILMEMBERS FIERRO, PLASCENCIA AND MELENDREZ PROPOSE PROACTIVE MEASURES TO BRING ECONOMIC RELIEF DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
The proposed legislation would direct Riverside Public Utilities to pause all utility shut-offs and call on the City Council to discuss and provide direction on further economic relief options
RIVERSIDE, CA – On the heels of a declaration of a local emergency in the City of Riverside, Councilmember Ronaldo Fierro, Councilwoman Gaby Plascencia and Councilmember Andy Melendrez have proposed legislation that would prohibit all utility shut-offs from Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) due to non-payment along with a discussion on other economic relief measures slated for this coming Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
While there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in the City of Riverside, the cancellation of large events, social distancing, quarantines, and the possible closure of Riverside Unified School District and the closure of Alvord Unified School District have the unique ability to push already financially-burdened families into further poverty and possible homelessness.
Councilmember Ronaldo Fierro said, "While our community responds to this unprecedented viral pandemic and its subsequent health impacts, the economic and social impacts of this crisis have the ability to bring lasting and devastating effects to our local economy – we as a City and community must address this proactively. COVID-19 affects residents far beyond those that may end up contracting the virus. It affects parents who have to take time off from work for childcare due to school closures, it affects hourly and gig economy workers that find themselves will little work during this crisis, it affects our many small-businesses throughout town, and it deeply affects our low-income and rent-burdened residents.”
It is those financially-burdened residents along with the many small businesses that populate Riverside that are most vulnerable to the growing economic consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak; and it is those that these proactive measures aim to protect.
The proposed legislation follows similar proposals in several cities across California, including Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose and San Francisco that would provide economic relief for residents, including eviction moratoriums and possible direct financial assistance.
The Riverside City Council will discuss the possible economic relief measures during the evening session of the March 17th City Council meeting.
You can review the most up to date information from the city of Riverside here.
###
|
