KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly are among 22 governors who oppose how federal funds would be allocated to states in President Joe Biden’s stimulus proposal.
The proposal “allocates aid based on a state’s unemployed population, rather than its actual population,” according to a joint statement issued Saturday.
Also known as theAmerican Rescue Plan of 2021, it would provide aid to states based on “the average number of unemployed individuals measured over a period of time not fewer than three months and not more than 12 months.”
Kelly said in a statement posted to Facebook that Kansas “should not be punished for having taken a measured approach to COVID.”
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster led the opposition, stating that the proposed allocation “punishes states that took a measured approach to the pandemic.”
“A state’s ability to keep businesses open and people employed should not be a penalizing factor when distributing funds,” the joint statement read. “If Congress is going to provide aid to states, it should be on an equitable population basis.”
41 Action News has requested comment from Parson’s office and has yet to receive a response.
