Money is always good (50B). I like Trump's focus on homeland. Now wonky thoughts. First, Trump didn't answer how states would access money; if its as disaster relief, it isn't coming immediately and states will scramble to get it having to make claims (relief package better)1/
That is a really bad incentive structure; I see NY is already gunning for it! But, if I understand how this will work, it just forces the money out fast, in a process that may be cumbersome during a crisis that could be long. 2/
Second, I think $$ often becomes default for bigger issues. We know the kits were a failure, but still we have no strong federal guidance on major issues: nursing home standards, school closing standards. You can throw a lot of money at a wall and still not change anything. 3/
If I had 50B dollars in the WH, I'd buy a lot of stuff and then distribute it. Let Congress focus on relief, which they are. Only (a functioning) federal government with a strong incident command structure and battle rhythm is going to be able to 4/
assess needs, deconflict resource challenges, and deploy fast. We haven't seen a 50 state needs disaster before; states won't help each other. That is why a strong federal presence for response is really important and its absence is dangerous. 5/
The basic structure doesn't change now of how this is going to unfold: local execution, state coordination, federal support. I'm fine with money and new authorities and end of regulations. That's all good. But if I'm thinking of weeks ahead, I want stuff! Lots of stuff! Now. 6/6
