Letter to the editor: Each state responsible for itself
The National Governors Association has requested $500 billion in direct aid to states as many states face enhanced budget crises due to the unexpected economic ravages of the covid-19 pandemic. No doubt the suspension of the U.S. economy has added unforeseen financial burdens to many already struggling state budgets.
However, it is also true that Congress has already delivered substantial direct and indirect support through the CARES Act; direct grants, municipal loans, emergency disaster funds, schools funds, mass transit and childcare support, election preparedness, small business relief, direct individual payments, and unemployment benefits. Congress has done enough.
If Congress would like to take further measures to buttress citizens’ spending power, allowing individuals and corporations to keep more of the money they earn is a fair, simple solution. What is neither fair nor good policy is for the U.S. government to distribute direct aid payments to the states. Each state has adopted policies through elected officials which impact their state ledgers. Some states have been fiscally prudent while others have put policy preferences above fiscal reason.
It is not the responsibility of Pennsylvania taxpayers to support budget shortfalls in other states, nor is it on citizens of other states to underwrite shortfalls in the Pennsylvania state budget. Each state must take responsibility for its own fiscal policy decisions.
Enough of redistributing hard-earned wages of American taxpayers. Clean up your own state house.
Stacey West
Sewickley
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.