Some states-- most of them blue-- pay far more into the federal government than they get out. Kentucky-- like many more economically backward red states-- get much more than they pay in. The 6 states that pay the most per capita for the least return are Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Colorado and Nebraska. And the states that get the most after giving the least are Virginia, Kentucky, Alaska, New Mexico, Maryland and Alabama-- with Mississippi and West Virginia almost tied with Alabama. That said, the senior senator from Kentucky, Miss McConnell, was making an awful lot of noise yesterday about the federal government cutting off aid to states most afflicted with COVID-19 so far and letting them go bankrupt. These are the states with the most cases per million population (with the raw number of confirmed cases in parenthesis):
• New York- 13,687 (268,512)• New Jersey- 11,258 (99,989)• Massachusetts- 6,287 (42,944)• Connecticut- 6,274 (22,469)• Rhode Island- 5,921 (6,256)• Louisiana- 5,519 (25,739)
McConnell's staff refers to the idea of helping the states hardest hit by the pandemic so far a blue state bailout." The New York Daily News wasn't amused and noted that in Kentucky almost 40% of the state's budget comes as handouts from DC, much of that financed by the very states that are hardest hit how. The state is either the 4th or 2nd most dependent on on the federal government.
Kentucky, which, despite having 3.8 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 residents, collected $1.7 billion from D.C. in the massive new virus-focused stimulus, which works out to $377 per resident. New York, with a per capita death rate 20 times that, got roughly the same amount per resident.Kentucky, where the unemployed are getting help, thanks to an additional $600 in weekly help the feds are delivering, that adds up to much more than their average wages, as opposed to New York, where it’s far less.Kentucky, which has pocketed loads of federal transportation aid, a fact that of course has nothing to do with the fact that McConnell’s wife runs the federal Department of Transportation.“All 100 senators may have one vote,” McConnell proudly proclaimed last year, “but they’re not all equal. Kentucky benefits from having one of its own setting the agenda for the country.”He may want states to restructure their finances rather than take any more federal cash, but he’s the one who’s morally bankrupt.
Moscow Mitch by Chip ProserAt a press conference, Andrew Cuomo called McConnell's idea for states like New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts going bankrupt "one of the really dumb ideas of all time... You will see a collapse of this national economy. The entire nation is dependent on what the governors do to reopen. But then you’re not going to fund the state government? You think I’m going to do it alone? How do you think this is going to work? You want to see that market fall through the cellar? Let New York declare bankruptcy... I would’ve insisted that state and local funding is in this current bill because I don’t believe they want to fund state and local governments. And not to fund state and local governments is incredibly short sighted. They want to fund small business, fund the airlines, I understand that, but state and local government funds police, and fire, and teachers and schools. How do you not fund police and fire and teachers and schools in the midst of this crisis? When you don’t fund the state then the state can’t fund those services... How ugly a thought. I mean, just think of what he’s saying: People died, 15,000 people died in New York, but they were predominantly Democrats, so why should we help them?"CNN reported that Long Island Congressman Pete King (R-NY) slammed McConnell's comments Wednesday night, tweeting that his 'dismissive remark' is 'shameful and indefensible.' To say that it is 'free money' to provide funds for cops, firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate."And New York isn't the only source of criticism for McConnell's horrible comments. Louisville state Rep. Charles Booker is one of the progressives going to take McConnell on in November. Yesterday he sent his own supporters an e-mail noting that McConnell "is dead wrong. Let me be clear: bankrupting state and local government threatens vital services, and it means that every hardworking public employee is in danger of losing his or her job, health care, and retirement benefits. We’ve already had 30 million people lose their jobs in this pandemic; we don’t need to add to that. What McConnell proposes would undoubtedly lead to a recession. I’ve been fighting for the past two years to protect the pensions of our hardworking public employees in Kentucky, and I’ll be damned if we’re gonna let Mitch McConnell kick our families off the cliff. Mitch McConnell is a bully, and we’ve beaten bullies before in Kentucky."Earlier this week, one of McConnell's home-state political allies, state Rep. Robert Goforth, a serial sex offender and former GOP gubernatorial candidate, was arrested and charged with assault, strangulation and terroristic threatening.
The victim told police that she tried to flee from Goforth, and that he made several attempts to “hog tie her,” according to the citation. He also allegedly strangled her with an ethernet cable to the point where she said she thought she was going to pass out, according to the citation.She also told police that Goforth said he was going to kill her during the altercation, according to the arrest citation.The alleged victim told police she was able to escape by promising to unlock her phone, the issue that set off the incident, according to the citation.Police determined that Goforth didn’t appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol once they made contact with him, and the three children were found safe, according to the report.Goforth was released from jail later Tuesday on a $25,000 cash bond, according to court records. He could not be reached for comment.Goforth of East Bernstadt, represents the 89th District, which covers Jackson County, as well as parts of Laurel and Madison counties. The Kentucky Democratic Party called on Goforth to resign Tuesday following the arrest.“State Representative Goforth must resign immediately,” Kentucky Democratic spokeswoman Marisa McNee said in a statement. “This is not the first time a victim of Mr. Goforth’s violent assaults has come forward. Republican Leadership has ignored this for far too long, it is time for them to take action. Goforth needs to go.” During his run for governor in 2019, Goforth faced sexual assault allegations, which he denied.Goforth pulled in nearly 40 percent of the vote in the Republican primary when he ran for governor, but lost to incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin who lost to Democratic challenger Andy Beshear.
Kentucky hasn't been hard hit by the pandemic yet-- just 3,373 confirmed cases-- in large part because the Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, moved relatively fast to implement social distancing rules. But with groups of Republican protestors ignoring them, Kentucky is bound to see increased problems as the pandemic thrives in places where people ignore precautions.