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Weekly Update: June 28 – News and Resources for State Leaders

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic relief package, was signed by President Joe Biden on March 11. Much of the funding included will have impacts on states, both in their budgets and in the specific policies they enact. The Council of State Governments (CSG) is providing our members with ongoing analyses of the various components of the ARP in this special edition series of The Current State e-newsletter, out each Monday. 

This week, The Council of State Governments provides resources on how states can utilize American Rescue Plan Act funds to support rural communities and for election security/civics education. This special edition of The Current State weekly e-newsletter also includes news, updates and resources related to states ending expanded unemployment benefits, infrastructure efforts and the Emergency Connectivity Fund.

NEW THIS WEEK

Evidence-Based Policymaking

In collaboration with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Policy Lab at Brown University, CSG has created a resource on using ARP funding for evidence-based policymaking. The ARP funding can be used to invest in programs with strong evidence of success, evaluate existing and new programs, create learning agendas and learn from other states’ successes.


NEWS, UPDATES AND RESOURCES

The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 

Treasury updates FAQs for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has updated the Frequently Asked Questions sheet for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, with the addition of an appendix detailing “revenue” definitions under the statute. New questions address declaring a state of emergency, eviction prevention measures and revenue calculations. The Treasury also has updated the status of payments made to states for non-entitlement local government usage. 

Treasury provides guidance on Emergency Rental Relief funding and usage

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has updated the Frequently Asked Questions sheet for Emergency Rental Relief and provided new information on the deployment of renter relief funds. This new guidance comes after months of actions by the Treasury to speed the dispersion of funding to local agencies. 

Treasury extends deadline for Homeowner Assistance Fund state plans 

The Treasury has extended the deadline for states to submit plans for Homeowner Assistance Fund spending or to notify the Treasury of the date by which their plan will be submitted. The new deadline is July 31, 2021. 

Federal Reserve extends Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility  

The Federal Reserve Board announced it will be extending provisions for the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility to allow more time for banks to process payments. This extension allows banks and independent financial institutions to pledge funding to Paycheck Protection Program loans. The new deadline is July 30, 2021. 

Treasury provides guidance on using ARP funds to prevent violent crime

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has provided guidance on the use of American Rescue Plan funding to prevent violent crime-particularly gun violence-by investing in community policing, violence intervention programs and evidence-based policy that reduces crime. 

Education 

Department of Education grants Puerto Rico full access to pandemic relief funds

The U.S. Department of Education has granted nearly $4 billion in pandemic recovery aid to the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Funding includes $2 billion from the American Recovery Plan Act, $1.2 billion from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, and $662 million in Fiscal Year 2020 program grants.  

Department of Education revises ARP allocations for ESSER funding 

Due to a downward revision of the data used to calculate allocations from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, the U.S. Department of Education has released revised allocations of aid to elementary and secondary schools. Corrections in allocations will be reflected when awarding the remainder of ESSER I and II funds. 

Environment

Environmental Protection Agency announces distribution of ARP funding 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will begin distributing $50 million for Environmental Justice initiatives through American Rescue Plan funding. The EPA will be prioritizing initiatives in underserved communities. 

Children and Families

Center for Disease Control and Prevention extended eviction moratorium

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has extended the temporary residential eviction moratorium for another month to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in displaced populations. 

ACF extended deadline for Community Services Block Grants annual reports

The Administration for Children and Families has extended the deadline to submit Community Services Block Grant Supplemental Reports to July 30, 2021. Information on submitting reports can be found here

ACF releases LIHWAP plan template

The Administration for Children and Families has posted a plan template and further instructions for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program. States wishing to participate must submit final plans by Aug. 9, 2021. 

ACF posts FY21 CARES RCIP Funding Opportunity Act webinar

The Administration for Children and Families has posted a webinar covering the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Rapid-cycle Impact Projects Funding. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement can be found here

Housing 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development posts quick guides for CARES Act community development block grants

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has posted quick guides for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act community development block grant spending for specific sectors. Guides currently available cover broadband and rural coronavirus response

Federal Communications Commission announces grant applications open 

The Federal Communications Commission announced that schools and libraries may begin submitting applications to the $1.7 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund. Applications are due by Aug. 13, 2021. 

Labor

U.S. Department of Labor announces $43 million for National Dislocated Worker Grants 

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced $43 million for the Comprehensive and Accessible Reemployment through Equitable Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants. These funds will support the public workforce system to connect jobseekers with potential employers. 

Veterans Affairs

VA extends moratorium on foreclosures and evictions

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced the extension of moratoriums on foreclosures and evictions as well as new mortgage repayment assistance to protect vulnerable households. The new extension end date is July 31, 2021. 

STATE UTILIZATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS

As state policymakers weigh options on how to maximize the relief from the ARP, state officials have begun to appropriate the stimulus funds.

  • Mobile, Alabama, will reallocate $5.1 million of federal relief funds to gun violence prevention. This new allocation will be included in the mayor’s plan for allocation. 
  • Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced he has earmarked $5 million in federal pandemic relief for gun violence prevention and crime intervention programs. This includes the opening of a 24-hour bullet-casing testing center at the state crime lab in Meriden. 
  • Florida is set to discontinue federal unemployment benefits to out-of-work Floridians ahead of the Sept. 6 national deadline. The state currently has over four million open jobs, says Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  • Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the members of the American Rescue Plan funding steering committee, responsible for allocating $4.8 billion in federal funding received by the state. Allocation decisions are expected in the coming weeks. 
  • Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a one-time $1,500 payment to the first 15,000 Kentuckians who return to work. This incentive will be paid using $22.5 million in federal relief funding.