A policy window for equity? The American Rescue Plan and local government response

Abstract

How have local governments incorporated equity into their investments of state and local rescue funds from the American Rescue Plan Act? We explore the multiple mechanisms localities used to incorporate equity approaches through case studies based on a strategic equity framework of redistributional, procedural and conceptual equity. We identify the importance of political will, planning and strategic partnerships with community agencies and businesses to experiment with new initiatives, and feedback loops with higher levels of government for policy change. Equity was often hidden in program design, rather than explicitly articulated. We find that cities are leading with actions, while values still primarily focus on economic development benefits. However, these actions may subtly shift values toward a broader conception of the local government role in advancing equity.