States, cities that expected to go bankrupt from pandemic now seeing cash surplus

In Alexandria, proposals include investments in infrastructure, food assistance and a guaranteed basic income pilot program, giving $500 to about 150 families.

When the pandemic hit Alexandria, Virginia, the economic outlook was bleak. In April 2020, the city projected a budget shortfall of up to $100 million as businesses shut down and workers lost their jobs, eliminating key revenue from sales, tourism and income taxes. “Early on it was catastrophic for us,” Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson told ABC News. “Every week, unfortunately, I was getting a notification from hotels, large restaurants, telling us that they were shedding workers.” Stream ABC News Live Prime weeknights at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET at abcnewslive.com