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Boise, ID 83720-0081
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Boise Idaho Senator Michelle Stennett, Idaho State Senate Minority Leader

News Blog

Opportunities in the American Rescue Plan Act

Michelle Stennett

August 18, 2021

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." ---Winston Churchill

The Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) delivered aid directly to the American people, but it also provides substantial support to state and local governments to assist in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance is an opportunity to benefit the people of Idaho with a broad range of needs.

Idaho has $5.65 billion dollars available in ARPA funding and relief. Over $2.3 billion of those dollars are through economic stimulus programs outside of state government such as direct payments to individuals and tax credits. Over $1.4 billion are grant programs to State Agencies, while nearly $1.8 billion are state and local fiscal recovery funds to address money spent to respond to the COVID-19 health emergency, invest in sewer, water, or broadband infrastructure, etc.

The State Fiscal Recovery Fund has $1.1 billion for Idaho and provides for relief in four categories:

  1. To respond to the COVID-19 health emergency or its negative economic impacts including assistance to households, small businesses, non-profits, or industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality.

  2. To provide premium pay of up to $13.00 an hour in addition to base pay to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 health emergency or provide grants to employers with employees performing essential work.

  3. To provide government services to the extent of lost revenue from the COVID-19 health emergency

  4. To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

This relief is important to bolstering our public safety and emergency services and it provides a significant opportunity to fund improvements in failing antiquated systems, much-needed new installations, and connecting existing infrastructure.

Much of the money available to improve the lives of Idahoans will need to be appropriated by the Legislature. Some of it will require action by localities. It is crucial that we take the necessary actions to see our federal tax dollars come back to Idaho to work for us.

Respectfully,

Michelle


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