Federal Items:
Donald Trump now refers to himself as a “war time” president…Unfortunately, he spends more time waging war on reporters and Democrats than on the coronavirus. And, he uses the president’s Bully Pulpit to make incorrect claims about his and his administration’s performance.
To review, intelligence professionals noted disturbing things happening in Wuhan, China before the end of 2019. By February 9 the information was so solid that governors – Democrat and Republican – were briefed on the threat. Instead of using the time to prepare, Trump brushed off the information and left the country at extra risk for weeks on end. Now the administration claims that the 50 states – and not the federal government – bear the responsibility for not fielding an adequate and quick response.
Despite the infusion of billions in Congress-approved stimulus funding and even more trillions pushed into the market by the Federal Reserve, 2020 and probably most of 2021 will be a time of deep and great recession, eclipsing the damage done in the last days of the George W. Bush administration.
Meanwhile, Trump’s minions continue to wreak havoc (by design and by incompetence) on the very structure of government:
►Improper and illegal restrictions on asylum seekers continue to be employed on the border.
►Proposals to reduce oversight of nursing homes and other critical places continue.
►Vehicle emission and mileage standards are being administratively relaxed.
►FDA and other regulators have ignored rules, for example, allowing “crappy” COVID 19 tests to come to market without federal or independent review.
The regime doesn’t fear consequences because the collaborating GOP has Trump’s back… — Charles Jaco
And, Trump continues to fire government officials, including Inspector Generals he appointed – and senior military officers – because they don’t pay homage to his greatness.
It gets worse: by a 5 to 4 “party line” vote, the Supreme Court endorsed the Wisconsin voter suppression plan which left the city of Milwaukee with just five polling places!
While Congress enacted multiple rounds of stimulus legislation, that work has come at a price. Information from economists has been offset by fears among GOP senators that “generous” unemployment payments will discourage Americans from working. And, money is better spent subsidizing corporations than feeding families. Dems’ necessary compromises weaken the impact of stimulus actions.
No significant legislation not tied to the virus response is expected this year.
State Items:
Decades of insufficient spending on computer systems, staff and other governmental infrastructure is biting accidental governor Mike Parson in the butt. The state is unable to process the flood of unemployment claims, food stamp applications and other requests for benefits resulting from COVID 19.
While the legislature came back into session to approve the supplemental appropriations bill for additional fiscal year spending, action on next year’s budget has ground to a halt.
Back in early March, Republicans laughed at Democrats’ concerns about the impact of the coronavirus. On April 8 they enacted a $5.6 billion supplement al budget bill which depends (hopes) for virtually all its money to come from Washington. Before an empty chamber, the House majority leader damned the minority leader’s ‘We told you so’ summary of events.
Remember, Missouri must have a balanced budget each year. The governor has admitted that $500,000,000 million in cuts this year – between now and June 30th – will be necessary to balance receipts with expenses. (The budget director has estimated a $700 million shortfall this year.) I cannot imagine that requirement being met without significant additional cuts to school funding and Medicaid.
For next year [beginning July 1, 2020] Missouri government may have to shed in excess of $1.2 billion – around 12% — of general revenue expenditures. Unfortunately, accurate projections are impossible.
Governor Parson has talked of calling the legislature back into special session, after the normal mid-May adjournment date (and perhaps as late as mid-June), to consider the FY2021 budget. This is horrible:
■ In a special session the legislature can only act on specific items proposed by the governor. The ability to question and debate the budget would be terribly slashed by the procedural rules in effect.
■ A few connected Republican legislators could ‘legislate through the budget,’ having the same impact as new law. For example, new restrictions on abortions could be ‘added’ to the Department of Health and Senior Services budget.
■ There would be no time for hearings or public input on the budget.
Missouri has long lagged most other states in the operation of its benefit programs. As mentioned before, the state has moved from a county office model to Call Centers handling food stamps, Medicaid and most other programs. The Call Centers have been a monumental failure at handling everyday work flow. They now constitute an inescapable calamity struggling families must endure.
It is probable that some breadwinners will have to wait 15 weeks after losing their paychecks to get food stamps for their families, despite special federal rules to expedite the process.
As shown by the Wisconsin debacle, it is impossible to hold a traditional election day under coronavirus rules. Yet, like Wisconsin, Missouri Republicans will probably demand that the primary election in August take place regardless of safety issues. Voter turn-out may just break single digits in such a scenario.
A low turn-out election, traditionally aids Republicans.
Glenn Koenen