AP: States and cities slow to spend federal pandemic money

(AP) — Many states and cities across the U.S. are getting off to a slow start in spending money from this year’s coronavirus relief package championed by President Joe Biden and Democrats. The American Rescue Plan, signed into law in March, included $350 billion for state and local governments.

An Associated Press analysis of the first progress reports found that more than half the states and almost two-thirds of the largest cities reported no spending as of this summer.

Biden’s administration says it’s not concerned about the early pace of the initiative. A White House official says the package was designed to provide both immediate relief and funding for longer-term projects.