Small business grants and loans, public and mental health expenses, essential worker bonuses and broadband, are among the ways American Rescue Plan Act funds can be used. Emily Maher with the National Council of State Legislators attended the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee virtually this week to lay out options Mississippi lawmakers can consider. She discussed what items some states are dedicating funds to support.
“Each state is catering its funds to their specific recovery needs. Colorado devoted funds to acquiring motels and hotels for temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness. Florida devoted funds to an Everglades restoration plan,” Maher said.
Republican Senator Mack Bodi White of Louisiana, says his state received $3.1 billion from ARPA and they’ve allocated half of the money. He says millions went to the unemployment fund, water and sewer infrastructure along with revitalizing tourism.
“The legislature also allocated $18 million toward revitalization and stabilization of the tourism industry that’s so important to the Louisiana economy and restaurant industry,” White said.
Members of the Mississippi Legislative Budget Office explained there are opportunities to work with local municipalities and counties by providing matching funds for water and sewer improvements. They explained there are four cities under Environmental Protection Agency consent decrees and 23 with waste water orders from Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
Mississippi has received $900 million dollars already with another $900 million coming next year. Also, counties and cities are receiving funds. The state auditor tells lawmakers all the allocations must be tracked to comply with federal guidelines. Republican Senator John Polk of Hattiesburg, chairs the sub-committee.
“That is correct and as he said it won’t be his office that’s actually the one that’ll be the last man standing it’ll be the Office of the Inspector General of the United States who will have that duty,” Polk said.
Polk says they plan to have all their recommendations to the Senate Appropriation Committee in early January. More hearings are planned next week.
