Ha I see what she is trying to do
State of emergency is one thing
State gets reimbursed for corona virus related,that is what the draft was that she submitted.But never did apparently.
She is trying to get the president to declare a national disaster instead of a national emergency.
So she withheld submitting the request on the hopes that a national disaster would be declared,hell of a gamble.
Because under a national disaster it opens up the structural and infrastructure aspect,She is looking to get the roads fixed.
FEMA says,no,the corona virus does not destroy the infrastructure,so come at us again under the National emergency guidelines.
National disaster is reserved for hurricanes,tornadoes,floods etc where the infrastructure gets wiped out and states can get reimbursed for rebuilding the infrastructure but it still has to be storm related.
Even under a national disaster declaration she still cannot say the virus ate the roads.
She may be taking jabs at the federal level but this is more of a instate game being played.
So the question is,while she has expanded powers under the state of emergency and commits to infrastructure projects or other costs that are later denied by the federal government,who then becomes liable for the bill out of no choice?
So did she put lives at risk while playing this game?
I do not think so because with the rainy day fund being at 1.3 billion she had a little time to play with,but if the state got slammed really hard and fast it would be a different situation.
The previous governor started out with 325 million in the rainy day fund and built it up to the 1.3 billion.
It would have been a disaster to try this at the 325 million.
But on the other hand,it is usually not in ones best interest to be playing games when it is the federal government involved,they find it a bit disrespectful to come to them hat in hand after kicking them in the nuts.
If she submits the proper paperwork the saving grace comes because the citizens are the concern over her.
But depending how 2020 goes it may have long lasting negative aspects,it is usually best to fly straight in these kinds of situations,but it is politics.
On both sides,sometimes we are just the little pawns on a chessboard being shuffled about.