#5SmartReads - February 25, 2021

On COVID-19 relief funds, Martha Stewart, and energy jobs

Not All COVID-19 Aid Is Spent. But Schools, Cities And States Say They Need More (NPR)

The answer as to why? BUREAUCRACY.

“States reimburse school districts for qualified expenses, districts draw down funds over the course of the school year, and all of it takes time to get reported back into the federal tracking system.”

Many of these funds are earmarked for future expenses, such as upcoming salaries and hiring more tutors and teachers to help kids get caught up on learning.

The need for schools also speaks to the major issue of how smaller cities and towns have to wait to get funds through states and counties, and this delay does bear serious impact.

The American Rescue Plan, which has been criticized for being too expensive, has set aside $350B for state and local governments in need. It is my fervent hope that those payments are made directly.