Tyler Hayden
This story was originally published by the Santa Barbara Independent and is reproduced here in partnership with Edhat.
By Tyler Hayden of The Independent
The state auditor said Tuesday that California’s finance department has massively shortchanged smaller counties, including Santa Barbara, of federal COVID-19 relief funds.
A report issued by State Auditor Elaine Howle concluded that the methodology used to distribute $1.3 billion in funding gave a disproportionate amount to California’s 16 most populous counties, with relief totals amounting to $190 per resident in those areas compared to $102 per person in the 42 smaller counties.
While California received a total $15.3 billion in CARES Act assistance ― most of which went directly from the federal government to cities and counties, or from the state Legislature to schools ― the report focused on the $1.3 billion state officials were then responsible for doling out.
The report also rebutted the finance department’s explanation for the uneven disbursement ― officials claimed bigger communities had higher virus transmission rates and therefore needed more money. “Based on the COVID-19 case data for all counties, the needs of many small counties, as reflected in case rates, were at least the same if not greater than the needs of large counties,” the report says.
Jeff Frapwell with Santa Barbara County’s Executive Office said Tuesday that he’d reviewed Howle’s findings. “We concur with the Auditor’s conclusion that California counties with populations under 500,000 were disadvantaged by the methodology used to allocate the [Coronavirus Relief Fund] funding passed through the State,” he said. “We are hopeful that any future financial aid from the federal government in support of our response to the current pandemic be allocated on a more equitable basis.”
Too bad we don’t have any “leaders” who fight for us.
Reading reports of this make me remember that liars can add. The bias of the accountants/bookkeepers who did this tally are stunning. We can never accomplish anything if we want a perfect solution. I am not an admirer of the governor but taking action is critical in these difficult times. Waiting for a parsing count of how the funds are spent and who did what is killing us. The places that were limited or denied reimbursement were aggressively fighting reasonable safety rules. They should not now complain that maybe they had a technical defense.
Salud is too busy flying back and forth to/from DC. What a lousy excuse for a representative of the people. The word is that he is cozy’ing himself up with AOC and the squad to push a progressive agenda.
Let’s hope so. It’s about time we joined the civilized world.
Tell us where socialism and communism worked. Share with the class.
Too true. He only came back here when he was worried about a mailbox. A worthless rep.
You don’t know what socialism is. But for most of the world, it works very well, even to some extent here with Social security and Medicare. Ignorance of government is why we need more rigorous civics classes.