How States and localities will manage through this crisis is dependent upon their prior fiscal choices. What are the differences between what the Federal government can do, and what the states and localities can do? What are the implications? You should discuss why these differences matter.
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/04/24/states-take-early-steps-to-manage-covid-19-budget-fallout?utm_campaign=2020-04-29+Rundown&utm_medium=email&utm_source=PewT
How has the current crisis impact this vital account of the US population? What are areas of fiscal health that the States and local governments should
be concerned about? What will be some of the challenges?
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/2020-census-apportionment-results.html
https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/partners/2020-01/Uses-of-Census-Bureau-Data-in-Federal-Funds-
Based on your knowledge of why grants exist, and how they are calculated, how would you alter some of the formulas being used to distribute aid?
What recommendations should policy makers consider ensuring that the States that have been hardest hit by the crisis are compensated? Alternatively, if you believe it is not up to the Federal government to support these states with additional relief, defend your position and offer alternatives for revenues that the State should consider.
https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/states-need-significantly-more-fiscal-relief-to-slow-the-emerging-deep
President Biden Outlines Plan for Additional Coronavirus-Related Relief and Stimulus
(5) Fiscal choices determine the mix of revenues that a State relies on to fund their budget on an annual basis. Describe the primary sources of revenues that the States rely on, noting if they are progressive, regressive or proportional (explaining each).
How has each source been impacted by the current crisis, and what should policy makers do to address the shortfall in receipts that is likely to occur in the upcoming fiscal years? How does the provision below that was included in the American Recovery Plan impact these choices?
ARPA’s Tax Cuts Limitation Is a Problem for More States Than You Think
