In the article "States and Cities in Scramble for Stimulus Cash" the author Monica Davey gives a fairly neutral accounting of the different difficulties and benefits that the local level governments are dealing with when looking at the new stimulus package. This article, which appears in the NY Times, is very even handed and fair when looking at both some of the pros and con's of the current stimulus package. Ms Davey points out that while some states are looking to this as lifeline others are openly skeptical that it will help, some are even convinced that it might do more harm than good. This article does a very good job how the local governments are reacting to the new package, giving both sides of the story, as well as pointing out that even those places that are looking forward to the stimulus are still having to sort out some of the difficulties of actually getting the money.
Ms Davey explains that the money that the various state and local governments are expecting are coming with some unexpected strings attached, and everybody is currently trying to figure them out. In addition to this is the fact that there will be friction between the different levels of government within each state due to everyone attempting to get their piece of the pie. As Ms Davey points out this will still be a political decision which might mean that the area's that truly deserve it may or may not get it. In addition, while the money is going to be spent by the states, even then they don't get to make all of the decisions about how it will be spent, instead someone in Washington will be doing some of this creating more tension.
From the tone of this article it is clear that while the stimulus package may have answered some questions for people it has opened the door to a flood of more questions that as of yet do not have answers. Hopefully state, local, and national governments will be able to answer these questions quickly and get the money to those who need it and to where it will do the most good. And hopefully, some of the worst of the political undertones will be put aside in light of the current economic state and people will look to do the right thing.
