Coronavirus
Thousands of Experts Hired to Aid Public Health Departments Are Losing Their Jobs
As the Covid-19 pandemic raged, an independent nonprofit tied to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hired an army of seasoned professionals to fill the gaps in the country’s public health system. Now, the money has largely run out, and state and local health departments are again without their expertise.
The States That Still Owe Billions in Federal Unemployment Loans
They took on the debt after Covid hit. If they don’t repay it soon, it will mean tax hikes for businesses. Republicans are knocking Democratic governors who’ve let the balances linger.
Deciding How to Use $41B in Remaining State ARPA Aid
States have already chosen where to spend the bulk of $195 billion in pandemic funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. A think tank is weighing in on what to do with the money that’s left.
The Evolving Debate Over ARPA's State and Local Aid Program
President Biden's top advisor on the American Rescue Plan Act dismisses Republican claims that money from the law is being wasted. But he's also urging local government leaders to look for more ways to highlight their successes with the federal funding.
Two Cities Took Different Approaches to Pandemic Court Closures. They Got Different Results
Did closing courts contribute to the resurgence in violent crime that began in 2020? What happened in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Wichita, Kansas, may provide clues.
The Simmering GOP Criticism of State and Local ARPA Spending
Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate have been bashing projects paid for with American Rescue Plan Act dollars that they see as wasteful. It could be a sign of further scrutiny to come if they take back one or both chambers of Congress.
Covid Aid Program Gave 'Shuttered Venues' Funds They Didn't Ask For
Poor oversight riddled the emergency initiative, leading to $1.5 billion in questioned awards.
How Cities and States are Gathering Data as They Spend Federal Aid
A watchdog agency responsible for monitoring the historic infusion of pandemic relief dollars is promoting data collection to encourage transparency and uncover fraud and abuse.
Why People Are Moving Away From Big Urban Counties
New research suggests that housing costs and remote work are fueling a lasting shift in where people are choosing to live.
House Republicans Attack ARPA as ‘Boondoggle.’ Mayor, Democrats Say it Prevented Layoffs, Saved Lives
The clash is the latest instance of GOP lawmakers assailing pandemic relief spending under the American Rescue Plan Act.
New Program to Bolster the Battered Public Health Workforce
Two agencies are teaming up to establish a program to recruit and cultivate public health officials. “We saw throughout the Covid pandemic that there was a real need to support local communities,” one official says.
States With the Highest and Lowest Rainy Day Funds
Wyoming leads the nation in the operating days in its fund, while Washington has a negative balance.
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