Northeast governors form group to discuss reopening of region economies

[Ravenman]

@Do_Not_Taunt

I think you’re misunderstanding me. I don’t propose putting FEMA itself in such a panel, but rather someone who can actually represent the administration. Having a high-powered liaison between the states and the administration could be incredibly valuable for the reasons I’ve suggested, but I’m under no misconception that they could do their job without administration cooperation, nor do I believe that such cooperation is likely to materialize. And I think that sucks.

And I’m saying that the states can talk to Federal agencies without giving them a seat at the decision-making table. They haven’t earned it.

[Banquet_Bear]

@Do_Not_Taunt

I think you’re misunderstanding me. I don’t propose putting FEMA itself in such a panel, but rather someone who can actually represent the administration. Having a high-powered liaison between the states and the administration could be incredibly valuable for the reasons I’ve suggested, but I’m under no misconception that they could do their job without administration cooperation, nor do I believe that such cooperation is likely to materialize. And I think that sucks.

…but the mechanisms for cooperation with the administration are already in place. Changing who “does the negotiations” on the part of the combined states won’t make any material difference. As I said in another thread here: any move towards recovery have to be predicated on a simple premise: that the US Federal government is essentially dysfunctional right now, an irrational actor. The states need to do what they can to access what they should (with a normal administration) be able to access. But we need to stop normalising the way the Federal government is acting here.

[aceplace57]

The President is now saying the state’s governors will reopen their states.

Trump backs down after Cuomo, other governors unite on coronavirus response

Andrew Cuomo leads the rational states of America - The Boston Globe

Clear-thinking citizens owe New York’s governor and his counterparts a heartfelt thank you. By stealing a Monday march on the country’s titular leader, they have ensured that the reopening of large regions of America will proceed according to the dictates of science and rationality — and not self-interested political considerations.

Cuomo led the way by helping forge a bloc of Eastern states, from Delaware to Massachusetts, committed to developing a regional approach to reopening. On the West Coast, California, Oregon, and Washington announced a similar effort.

[aceplace57]

Double post

[lobotomyboy63]

Remember that part in “The Little Prince” where he yawns and the king says it’s rude but the little prince says he can’t help it, so the king orders him to yawn? But then he can’t so the king orders him not to sometimes yawn, sometimes not? “I will be authorizing each individual governor, of each individual state, to implement a reopening and a very powerful reopening plan of their state in a time and a manner as most appropriate,” Trump said. I don’t know much about Cuomo but throughout this I think he has kicked ass.
http://www.angelfire.com/hi/littleprince/framechapter10.html

[slash2k]

@Ravenman

And I’m saying that the states can talk to Federal agencies without giving them a seat at the decision-making table. They haven’t earned it.

The states talking to FEMA or other federal agencies about PPE or the DPA or other topics does absolutely no good unless the administration that controls said agencies is on board with whatever decisions are made.

[Ravenman]

@slash2k

The states talking to FEMA or other federal agencies about PPE or the DPA or other topics does absolutely no good unless the administration that controls said agencies is on board with whatever decisions are made.

The Administration has been doing everything possible to undermine COVID response efforts.

Talking to FEMA or whomever is like talking to housekeeper of a CEO. Sure, it’s better than nothing, but it isn’t talking to anyone who can really get things done other than within a very narrow range of issues that are considered trifles by the person in charge.

And once again, pretending that such agencies have the authority to get anything done, such that they have a logical place in advising governors on what they should do, is a total joke.