Florence can afford to wait and see what it needs to do to best serve the people. The federal government has no choice. Washington must act like a thrifty Greater Cincinnatian and not even think about spending money when it's in debt. Congress and the president are clamoring to take credit for the windfall and score points with the voters. They can't wait to spend it on pet projects or give it back in the form of a tax cut.
Federal politicians are to be congratulated on such an achievement.
Seventy billion dollars is not chump change. But they might learn a lesson or two about real fiscal success by taking a closer look at Florence. Surplus City Budget surpluses are nothing new in Florence. The Northern Kentucky city has been in the black for 11 years. For the last five years, the city has been in the black by six figures.