Conservative and anti-Biden Republicans in Congress maybe not happy with President B Biden’s push to get federal money flowing to the state and local governments….
But officials of BOTH parties are praying for Biden’s bill to get thru Congress and on President’s desk as soon as possible….
For them it isn’t about politics….
It’s about economic choices and JOBS….
THAT is about the recovery of the American ECONOMY…
And Joe Biden IS taking to the streets….
Republicans in Congress overwhelmingly oppose the relief bill, casting it as bloated and budget-busting, with some heaping particular scorn on a measure to send $350 billion in assistance to states and cities. Should Biden go ahead without their approval, GOP leaders say, it will prove that his mantra of bipartisanship rings hollow.
But to many Republicans at city halls and statehouses across the country, the relief package looks very different. Instead of the “blue-state bailout” derided by GOP lawmakers, Republican mayors and governors say they see badly needed federal aid to keep police on the beat, to prevent battered Main Street businesses from going under and to help care for the growing ranks of the homeless and the hungry…
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Surveys show that a broad majority of Americans support the assistance, including large numbers of Republicans. Only a minority among Republican voters agree with GOP lawmakers that the aid package is too large, polls have found….
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While tax revenue grew in some states last year, the majority — at least 26 states — were hit with shortfalls. Revenue declined by 10 percent or more in five states, including a 43 percent drop in Alaska and a 10 percent decline in Florida. The toll was felt in both Republican led states like Texas, which saw a 10 percent shortfall, and Democratic led ones, like Oregon which weathered a 13 percent drop.
Rescuing struggling state and local governments has been at the center of Congress’ debate over how to address the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic for months. Republicans oppose the idea, calling it a “blue state bailout” that would reward poor local financial management. Democrats say that without this help, states and local governments could turn into a drag on an already slow economic recovery, and have set aside $350 billion in aid to state and local governments in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package making its way through Congress.
The strain has already forced some local officials to cut services, weigh tax increases or find other cost-saving measures to balance their budgets….
This will be a test for the Republican governors who see themselves as 2024 Presidential candidates. Do they see themselves more as Larry Hogan, trying to do what’s best for their state. Or Ron DeSantis–touting their pro Trump pro virus rhetoric instead of helping their struggling citizens.
Meanwhile Biden’s approval in a new Morning Consult poll is 62%. So even some Trump voters approve of his job so far.