The Appropriations Committee has been hard at work meeting in executive session to decide how to spend the state’s $1 billion in discretionary funding available through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Earlier in the legislative session, Governor Ricketts introduced LB1014, which are his recommendations on how to spend the ARPA funds. Similar to the budget, the Appropriations Committee can now propose an amendment to LB1014 and advance it to the full body to debate.
The Appropriations Committee has released its preliminary recommendations, including:
- Portions of LB1201, introduced by Sen. DeBoer, which funds food assistance grants to increase capacity of food banks, food pantries, and other organizations who fight hunger across the state. The bill proposed an allocation of $40 million, but the committee recommended $20 million.
- $91 million for the development of workforce housing across the state, an increase from the Governor’s recommendation of $75 million.
- Portions of LB1025, introduced by Sen. Wayne, which creates the North Omaha Recovery Act Grant Program. The bill proposed an allocation of $450 million, but the committee recommended $150 million.
Notable bills left out include LB1203, introduced by Sen. Briese, which would have allocated $100 in ARPA funds to state childcare programs to help providers recover from the pandemic.
Expect this amendment and recommendations to be debated extensively on the floor when it comes up for debate and for senators to propose amendments from the floor to make changes.
Visit the Nonprofit Association of the Midland’s website for more information on the American Rescue Plan Act and how it affects nonprofits
