GUEST EDITORIAL: Calling for a Tenfold Funding Penalty Against Governments that Restrict Funding from Donor Cities, Counties and States

By State Representative Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain)

(293 words)

Today, I issue a warning to local, state and federal governments: any attempt to restrict or withhold funding from donor cities, counties and states should result in those donor entities (cities, counties and states) denying funding back, equal to ten times the value withheld.

Donor regions, which already disproportionately contribute to local, state and federal budgets, should not be penalized while continuing to shoulder the financial weight of other jurisdictions.

If a government chooses to restrict, deny or manipulate funding that belongs to donor cities, counties or states, then those donor entities must exercise their right to protect their taxpayers. For every dollar withheld, ten dollars should be denied in return. Donor communities should not be exploited any longer.

I make this call in response to recent legislation and public movements, including bills such as the Dismantle DEI Act (S. 4516/H.R. 8706) and similar state-level proposals that attempt to cut off funding streams from federal, state and local programs. Such measures often disproportionately harm donor regions that already carry heavier tax burdens, especially on property taxes.

If you target the very communities that drive our tax base and growth, we need to answer with tenfold force. Donor regions will not be exploited. And while we must be honest that DEI contacting benefits have too often flowed primarily to White women, the answer is not to burn civil rights infrastructure to the ground. The so-called 'Dismantle DEI Act' would hurt millions, especially Black and Brown families, women, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ+ communities. We must stop the movement of 'Division + Deception + Demonization = Distraction.'

This is about protecting working families, businesses and communities in donor regions who deserve transparency and equity. If you take from us unjustly, you will lose tenfold.

*Editor's note: a photo of Rep. Davis is included.

Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Health, Insurance, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.

The views expressed above and information shared are those of the author.

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