America’s states and cities are emerging from political exile.
President-elect Joe Biden’s proposed cabinet includes at least six officials who have led municipalities or states, like former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. That’s in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump, whose cabinet relied heavily on corporate and industry insiders.
On Thursday, state and local leaders got a glimpse of what an ally in the White House could mean. Biden outlined an economic stimulus package that would provide $350 billion in aid to municipal governments. Such help was a major roadblock in stimulus negotiations in 2020, with Trump repeatedly characterizing it as a bailout for Democratic states like Illinois.
Read Full Article »