Federalism Article Review SR det 2
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
St. Petersburg College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
2041
Subject
Political Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by KidResolvePrairieDog21
Federalism Article Review
The Hill: Unprecedented: States Invest in Child Care To Cover From Pandemic Losses
St. Petersburg College
POS 2041 Section #2424: American National Government
Professor Sonia King
February 2, 2023
Stela Rrapollari
The Hill: Unprecedented: States Invest in Child Care To Cover From Pandemic Losses
Summary
This article examines the act of state governments allocating tens of billions of dollars to
childcare businesses to cushion them from the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ideally,
experts perceive this move by states as, "unparallel investment in salvaging an industry" (Wilson,
2022 Par. 1). The flow of the funds is through stabilization grants issued through the federal
coronavirus relief after the Congress approval. According to Cindy Lehnoff- director of the
National Child Care Association, since the COVID pandemic began, a phenomenal,
unprecedented amount of money has been issued to childcare in the past three stimulus packages.
The Federal legislators acknowledge that the economy is unapportionable and devoid of
childcare. These legislators identify that childcare is an essential workforce that enables another
workforce to proceed to work (Wilson, 2022 Par. 3). Notably, the initial coronavirus relief
funding availed 13.5 billion USD to childcare programs, with the American Rescue Plan (ARP)-
the third-round disbursing 39 billion USD an outstanding amount in comparison to the past
disbursement. Most ARP allocations were issued as stabilization grants that enabled childcare
providers to remain afloat throughout the pandemic. However, out of the ARP allocation, over 15
billion USD was reserved for Child Care Development Funds, with states such as Georgia and
Michigan utilizing the funds to expand their accessibility to disadvantaged low-income families
(Wilson, 2022 Par. 5). Rasheed Malik the director of early childhood policy at Center for
American Progress reiterated that through loosening restrictions was essential in enabling states
to address challenges in the childcare sector, the stabilization grants redressed the worsening and
preserved the child care sector from complete damage.
Besides offering huge financial investments, this article examines how states support
working parents, parents with reduced disruptions, and attempts to keep employees who missed
work owing to illnesses and other temporary absences during the pandemic's worst phases.
Furthermore, this article examines how the COVID pandemic affected these childcare centers.
Among the worst effects is an estimated one-third of the childcare staff vanished, either because
their businesses were shut down, they changed careers, or they retired. This article discusses
current challenges in the childcare sector, including labor shortage citing concerns as new
employees are not hired, and examining states' incentives beyond federal spending.
Application
The act of the federal government, through approval by congress to allocate and disburse
stabilization grants in states indicates a textbook definition of Federalism. According to the
textbook "Federalism is a system of institutional arrangements that establishes two
comparatively independent levels of government, each of which is empowered by the country's
constitution to act effectively on behalf of its citizens" (Kurtz 2019, p. 15). In realizing the
potential effects of the pandemic on the Child Care sector, the federal government induced a
stimulus program that allocated exorbitant amounts of money to cushion professionals within
this sector in different states and ensured this sector remained afloat. This action indicates the
commitment of Federalism to protect and support the states. Federal assistance is fundamental to
states to ensure they stay healthy and afloat. Federal transfers, also called categorical grants, are
structured to induce restrictions and proper financial management programs to states; this is yet
another clear indication of Federalism.
In most cases, these funds also demand matching contributions; an act states perform
going beyond the Federal allocation. Throughout this article, the state government directed the
categorical grant to cushion the childcare sector critical for the economy. The Federal legislators
attempt to help through policy easing and funds allocation. The relationship between the state
and federal government arises from Federalism, which is critical in safeguarding a nation's
citizens.
Analysis
This article articulates the significance of American Federalism. The existence of two
levels of government with a solid relationship ensured the childcare sector and citizens, in
general, were cushioned from the pandemic effects. Devoid of the Federal and state government,
the childcare sector would have potentially collapsed, leading to unprecedented impacts on
associate economic industries owing to the symbiotic relationship. The Federal government
issued funds through the states with the approval of congress to fight the pandemic. These States
were held accountable while simultaneously complementing the Federal funds. Federal
accountability is paramount, as they ensure fairness, equality, mitigation of corruption, and
economic prosperity. This article issues information that compels and informs particularly on the
concept and significance of Federalism. The pandemic was unexpected and had ravaging
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
consequences for all economic sectors, including childcare. This industry risked extinction.
However, the intervention of Federalism sparked hope for this sector, and through state and
federal actions, the American Child Care sector is thriving and positively impacting Americans
across the US.
References
Krutz, Glen & Sylvie Waskiewicz. 2019. American Government, 2ed. OpenStax, Rice University
(XanEdu Publishing Inc): Houston, Texas.
https://openstax.org/books/american-
government/pages/3-1-the-division-of-powers
Wilson,
R. (2022, January 20).
'Unprecedented:' states invest in child care to recover pandemic
losses
. The Hill.
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/590463-unprecedented-states-
invest-in-child-care-to-recover-pandemic-losses/