Political Prince of Darkness-Enemy of the People-Obstructionist in Chief-Legislative Grim Reaper-Moscow Mitch McConnell made the rounds on right-wing media (Hugh Hewit and Fox Island,) doubling down on his comments to Politico the day before on opposing aid to state and local governments combatting the Coronavirus and suffering economic repercussions from it.
He even suggested states should declare bankruptcy and reorganize debt rather than receive additional federal aid. Never mind the fact that states can not file for bankruptcy.
McConnell’s “Marie Antionette” (however historically inaccurate because she never said “Let them eat cake”) moment, as some are calling it, has met bipartisan criticism.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, commented that:
“Mitch McConnell probably regrets saying that. If he doesn’t regret it yet, I think he will regret it. … The last thing we need in the middle of an economic crisis is to have states all filing bankruptcy all across America and not able to provide services to people who desperately need them.”
Republican Senator Rob Portman tweeted:
“The skyrocketing unemployment rate and subsequent decline in tax revenue has left local gov’ts stretched to the limit.”
“As I told Ohio’s county commissioners on our call this morning, I’m working w/ my colleagues to secure additional and more flexible funding.”
New York Republican Representative Peter King’s tweet may have been the most forceful, commenting:
“McConnell’s dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible,” King said. “To say that it is ‘free money’ to provide funds for cops, firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate.”
Democratic Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont echoed King, stating:
“Marie Antoinette said let them eat cake – Mitch McConnell said maybe let them file for bankruptcy.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo called McConnell’s idea “One of the really dumb ideas of all time” and later stated how the Senate Majority Leader’s position would blowback on Kentucky, stating:
“You want to see that market fall through the cellar? Let [New York, Michigan, Illinois, California] declare bankruptcy. You will see a collapse of this national economy. Vicious is saying – what Senator McConnel said – that this is a blue state bailout… New York puts in more money to the federal pot than it takes out. His state takes out more than it puts in. Senator McConnell, who’s getting bailed out here? It’s your state that is living on the money that we generate.”
Many people, including Moscow Mitch, seem to have forgotten that most red states (with his Kentucky among the top) are the true welfare queens, raking in funds from richer blue states in annual federal aid to make ends meet.
Well, Democrats in the House are not going to wait for the Senate to lead the way on the next Stimulus bill.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on April 22 that the House will start to work on crafting the next stimulus bill. This legislation will include provisions for aiding:
- States and Local Governments.
- First responders through “hazard pay” and “health care protections.”
- An increase in Food Stamp Payments.
- Mortgage and Rent Assistance.
- Health Care relief for those who lost their jobs because of the public health emergency.
- The Post Office
- Technological upgrades to state unemployment offices.
- Mail-in Voting for the November elections.
The Speaker commented:
“We’ll pass it in the House. If [the Senate wants] to pass their own bill, we’ll go to conference. If they want to make some contribution that might be an improvement and something we can all agree on, we’ll go to the table.”
States and Cities, potentially facing a combined $500 billion shortfall, needs help.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, commenting on the need for more aid to the states and cities in the last bill (where state and local aid were not included,) said in an issued statement on April 21, 2020:
“The budgets of cities and towns throughout the country – including Tucson – are a reflection of their local economies. Our budgets rely on sales tax revenues to fund critical services including our first responders, housing services, transportation, environmental & waste collection, and other services that keep our city running. We need immediate support from the federal government to maintain the services our residents rely on.
“Without flexibility in how we can use these funds, I am concerned that we will have millions of dollars that will be sitting idly that could otherwise be used to maintain critical city services. Our city budget is under enormous strain which is why it is critical that any federal package includes additional support for local governments that are on the frontlines of fighting this pandemic.”
The technological infrastructure of our government systems (like those at the Arizona unemployment offices as Legislative District 18 State Representative Mitzi Epstein and AZ Central columnist Laurie Roberts have revealed) have been found wanting and outdated and need help.
Anita Malik, the 2018 Democratic Nominee for Congressional District Six (and a contender for the nomination in 2020) commented that: “The technology needs to be ready for a time of crisis.”
Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema issued a statement, published in an AZ Central Column by EJ Montini that read:
“Partisan politics in Washington shouldn’t put responsible states like Arizona – or our cities, towns, or counties that operate on shoestring budgets – at risk of bankruptcy. Declaring bankruptcy would mean cuts to firefighters, police, health services, and job and business opportunities. We have bipartisan support in the Senate for revenue-replacement to keep our states, counties, and cities strong and thriving.”
It is time for Democrats and Republicans at local state legislatures and Congress in Washington to act now and enact legislation that will put people first by protecting them and paving a way forward out of the public health emergency.
Mitch McConnell’s comments over the last two days are counterproductive and should serve as a notice how out of step he and his allies (like Martha McSally, Debbie Lesko, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and David Schweikert) are with reality and the welfare of the American People.
They need to be retired on November 3, 2020.
Please remember to register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail in your vote by November 3, 2020.
Also, remember to check in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
Please also remember to get any voter id a state or county office may need to process your ballot.
Please also remember, if you can, to support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
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