ABSTRACT
The federal government's response the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been marked by a series of apparently disjointed, chaotic, and confusing statements and actions on the part of both the White House and federal agencies charged with coordinating the federal response. These actions have left many state governors (and citizens) in a position to address the effects of the pandemic in a haphazard and atomistic manner. In this essay, we contend that the actions of the Trump administration, and its relationships with states and local governments, can best be understood through a lens of what we refer to as "transactional federalism," in which federalism relationships are governed by a set of exchanges between the president and states, and between states. We conclude by discussing the ramifications of this form of federalism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The COVID pandemic has forced governments to reimagine their revenue sources and spending priorities as well as how they balance meeting increasing public health demands with other pressing challenges. As the challenges to local economies have grown, policymakers at all levels of government have debated how best to restore confidence in the economy while mitigating the pandemic?s economic fallout. One such example is the Federal Government?s CARES legislation, which covers expenses related to COVID mitigation and response for state and local governments. This short commentary examines the experiences of Anchorage, Alaska and Reno, Nevada and offers a ?lessons learned? on how best to stimulate growth while protecting citizens? health.
ABSTRACT
The federal government?s response the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been marked by a series of apparently disjointed, chaotic, and confusing statements and actions on the part of both the White House and federal agencies charged with coordinating the federal response. These actions have left many state governors (and citizens) in a position to address the effects of the pandemic in a haphazard and atomistic manner. In this essay, we contend that the actions of the Trump administration, and its relationships with states and local governments, can best be understood through a lens of what we refer to as ?transactional federalism,? in which federalism relationships are governed by a set of exchanges between the president and states, and between states. We conclude by discussing the ramifications of this form of federalism.