One major debate in Congress over the current American Rescue Plan is whether and how the federal government should fund states and local governments struggling with budgets as a result of the pandemic.
1. How much funding would the American Rescue Plan offer to states? What is the justification for this funding?
2. How could states use this funding? What conditions would be attached to this federal funding? What model of federal-state relations does each proposal embody?
3. What are the strongest arguments presented in favor of the state and local funding under the American Rescue Plan? What are the strongest arguments presented in opposition?
4. In your view, does this proposal (or aspects of different proposals) most effectively address current problems? How—if at all—should the funding to state and local governments be revised as the American Rescue Plan progresses through Congress?
