The $3.8 trillion that Democrats in Congress authorized for pandemic relief ($2 trillion was passed during the Trump administration) contained $800 billion for state and local governments.
Admittedly, the states had some flexibility in how they spent their cut. Some states used the money to shore up their employee pension programs. While not specifically authorized in the enabling legislation, given the broad authority granted to states to spend the money, no one is likely to challenge it.
How about a governor spending $4.3 million to cover parking costs for state employees “and visitors”? Or $1 million on a feasibility study for paid family leave? And another million dollars for a gun safety ad campaign?
Some of this spending may have been justifiable as long as the cash came from the state’s general budget. But using COVID-19 relief funds like this violates the spirit of the law. Not that it matters to anyone in Congress. […]
– Read More: pjmedia.com
