What's the holdup in Kansas? State, cities sitting on $8 billion in federal COVID aid.

Life is good in Lakin, according to city administrator Michael Heinitz.

While Kearny County, where Lakin is the county seat, has reported a smattering of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, there are far fewer there than in other more populated corners of the state.

The local economy is humming, Heinitz said, and the city has ample reserves on hand to handle any new projects which might arise.

That's why the town of 2,300 made the unusual decision to refuse federal funding under the American Rescue Act, which pushed out aid to states, counties and cities nationwide.

While most state and local governments across the country saw the trillions of dollars rolling in from Washington, D.C., as an opportunity to shore up infrastructure, fight the COVID-19 pandemic and help local businesses, Lakin considered the $300,000 it was due to receive to be more trouble than it was worth.

Read more: https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2021/09/07/kansas-no-hurry-spend-billions-dollars-federal-covid-19-aid-american-rescue-plan-act/5668204001/
(Topeka Capital-Journal)