Phoenix Mayor Urges Greater State and Federal Support to Combat Extreme Heat
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has reiterated her call for increased state and federal action to address the city’s extreme heat challenges. Despite recent efforts leading to a slight reduction in heat-related deaths, Gallego stresses the need for sustained support beyond city borders.
The city of Phoenix has experienced a decline in heat-related fatalities over the past two years, a trend Mayor Gallego attributes to strategic city investments in cooling initiatives and heat relief programs. “This bend in the curve did not happen by accident,” Gallego stated during a recent climate change press event.
Funding for these programs primarily relied on federal aid from the pandemic era, which will expire by the end of the year. In response, the Phoenix City Council has approved a budget that allocates more of the city’s general funds towards continuing these essential heat relief efforts. However, Gallego emphasizes that Phoenix cannot tackle this issue alone. “Heat does not stop at city borders,” she noted, advocating for collaborative efforts with other cities, the state of Arizona, and the federal government.
For several years, Gallego has been pushing for more assistance from state and federal authorities. Although some Arizona Democrats have introduced bills aimed at securing federal aid to mitigate extreme heat, these proposals have largely stalled.
Gallego suggests that federal programs related to household energy assistance, transportation, infrastructure, affordable housing, and disaster relief could be expanded to better support communities like Phoenix as they confront rising temperatures. “This challenge is here; it is not going away, and the federal government could save lives if they stepped up,” Gallego asserted.
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