Coronavirus reside updates: World coronavirus instances have declined, WHO says
State and native governments are determined for stimulus support, right here’s why
By Alyssa Fowers and Rachel Siegel
Dealing with deep finances shortfalls, state and native governments have shed 1.three million jobs because the pandemic started final 12 months — a lack of greater than 1 in 20 authorities jobs, based on a Washington Publish evaluation of presidency knowledge.
Whereas tax income grew in some states final 12 months, the bulk — at the least 26 states — had been hit with declines. Income fell 10 p.c or extra in 5 states, together with a 43 p.c drop in Alaska and a 10 p.c decline in Florida. The toll was felt in each Republican-led states akin to Texas, which noticed a 10 p.c shortfall, and Democratic-led ones, akin to Oregon, which weathered a 13 p.c drop.
Rescuing struggling state and native governments has been on the heart of Congress’s months-long debate over methods to deal with the financial upheaval attributable to the pandemic. Republicans oppose the concept, calling it a “blue state bailout” that will reward poor native monetary administration.
