Opinion: EJ Montini | Arizona Republic
(Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are published for discussion purposes only.)
The Republican Senate Majority Leader would have states declare bankruptcy during the pandemic, which would hang first responders out to dry.
Related: Rep. Andy Biggs again votes no as House sends $484 billion COVID-19 package to Trump
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn’t want to give states “free money.”
Except, of course, it’s not free money. It’s taxpayer money. And taxpayers live in – you guessed it – states.
Still, McConnell said he would prefer state governments to declare bankruptcy during the pandemic than receive more federal money. He’s encouraging Republicans to go along with him.
“We all have governors, regardless of party, who would love to have free money,” McConnell said, adding that he believes lawmakers would “push the pause button here, because I think this whole business of additional assistance for state and local governments needs to be thoroughly evaluated.”
McConnell added, “There’s not going to be any desire on the Republican side to bail out state pensions by borrowing money from future generations.”
