With federal cuts coming, states, cities and counties need to step up their understanding of the programs they run and the priorities they hope to preserve.
Total aid ranges from about 5 percent to more than 20 percent of annual spending.
New Jersey’s $46.4 billion budget will allocate some funds towards public pensions, tax deductions for college aid and small property tax relief payments. Republican lawmakers worry the increased spending will result in future cutbacks.
The city of Refuge has received funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to train 280 high school graduates in web development and cybersecurity for free over the next four years. The program will target marginalized communities.
The California city received $35 million to assist with rental relief during the pandemic, but as of June 7, had only allocated 7 percent of the funds. Advocates are questioning why it’s taking so long to distribute the assistance.
Officials remain in the planning phase on how to spend the rest of the county’s American Rescue Plan funds. Residents have advocated investing in education, broadband, minority investment and infrastructure.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has decided to end the federal unemployment benefits program more than five weeks early to encourage hiring. The state’s jobless pay is $275 per week, or $6.87 per hour, one of the lowest rates in the country.
As the coronavirus pandemic forced Americans outside, states are now investing some of their federal aid in updating park infrastructure to keep up with the record crowds.
Billions in federal aid give state and local governments the opportunity to leverage evidence-based approaches to help disproportionately impacted communities and address long-term systemic challenges.
Some New York legislators have proposed using federal infrastructure funds to revive the city’s streetcars, providing a nostalgic alternative to the bus. But transit advocates think the money should be used elsewhere.
The bill would make funding changes to the Hawaii Tourism Authority and would eliminate the hotel tax distribution from individual counties. Gov. Ige is concerned the bill would detract from the state’s tourism and community focus.
The pandemic made it easier to get—and keep—food assistance. In some places, those expanded benefits are drawing to a close.
Mobile, Ala., Mayor Sandy Stimpson has proposed that the city copy Birmingham’s plan to give its full-time and part-time city employees a $5,000 and $2,500 bonus, respectively, for working during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers are studying whether they can spend part of the $2 billion the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act on prison construction. The state will have until the end of 2024 to use the funds.
A program has been placing homeless clients into housing while guaranteeing rent, utility payments and damage repairs. But it’s a scramble to get landlords to sign on before the eviction moratorium ends in August.
Community colleges are well situated to provide the skills needed to thrive in the evolving post-pandemic economy. States have the resources to provide a tuition-free path right now, but they need to do it right.
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