Emergency federal funding for states to address COVID-19 and the consequent economic stresses includes the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic relief package, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion initiative to improve infrastructure. This federal funding has and will continue to have an impact on state budgets and policies.
This week’s newsletter includes recent developments that every state leader needs to know regarding the federal budget, smarter budgeting, how states can conduct tax credit outreach and infrastructure grant opportunities.
NEW THIS WEEK:
- Analysts at The Council of State Governments developed a summary of a recent White House webinar on how state leaders can provide outreach to assist people in receiving available tax credits. Learn more about money your constituents may be missing in this blog, “State Governments Can Help Residents Secure Tax Credits”
- States continue to update and stand-up websites to provide transparency regarding state allocations and use of the ARPA. CSG analysts provide an updated scan of websites and resources located here.
RECENT UPDATES EVERY STATE LEADER SHOULD KNOW:
- Negotiations continue on additional federal funds to address various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic resolution and recovery. News reports suggest the package will be approximately $10 billion and will provide support for vaccines, treatments and other antiviral efforts. It comes as there are growing concerns about the possible implications of a new variant.
- In “Breaking Down the Federal Budget Proposal,” analysts at CSG highlight proposals of interest to state, local and tribal policymakers included in President Joe Biden’s recommended $5.8 trillion budget for the 2023 federal fiscal year.
- On March 30, due to rising gas prices, Biden authorized a historic release from the oil reserves. An average of one million additional barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve will hit the market daily for the next six months to serve as a bridge of supply until domestic production can meet demand without imports from Russia.
NEWS, UPDATES AND RESOURCES:
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT
White House requests contact information for state infrastructure coordinators
The White House Infrastructure Implementation Team requests every state send the name, title, phone number and email of their infrastructure coordinator to [email protected].
Education
Department of Education identifies programs from which funds may be used for infrastructure and programs that are inconsistent with the infrastructure act
This report covers assistance programs that allow funds to be used for infrastructure. It also identifies programs that are inconsistent with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act parameters. Programs “…are inconsistent with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act [if] they do not require that all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project be produced in the United States; do not issue waivers to this requirement; or are subject to waivers of general applicability.”
Interior
Department of Interior publishes draft guidance on Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation and Reclamation program
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding totaling $4.7 billion is going toward cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells, and this document gives guidance on how to apply for $775 million in initial state grants. The guidance also provides best practices for program implementation. In January, the Department of the Interior provided estimated state funding eligibility for initial grants and phase one formula grants for the 26 states that submitted a notice of intent to apply. More information can be found here.
Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of infrastructure act WaterSMART funding for drought resiliency projects
Applications are due June 15 and can be found here. Funding Group I is for projects that may take up to two years to complete. Funding Group II and III are for larger projects that may take up to three years to complete. More information about this funding can be found here.
Transportation
Federal Highway Administration releases additional Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding sources
These resources include apportionments among states and programs, set asides and penalty splits.
Federal Transit Administration publishes funding recommendations annual report
The annual report provides funding recommendations for the Capital Investment Grants Program and the Expedited Project Delivery Piolet Program in federal fiscal year 2023. Funding recommendations are based on the project evaluation process, the resulting project justification, local financial commitment and overall project ratings. Individual Capital Investment Program project profiles with the state, city, project name and stage of development can be found here.
Department of Transportation announces $2.9 billion in infrastructure act funding for major infrastructure projects through three programs
The combined notice of funding into one Multimodal Project will streamline the process for state, regional and local governments. More information about the three grants can be found here.
- National Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects – $1.55 billion
- National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) – $1 billion
- Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program – $300 million
Independent Agencies
Federal Communications Commission invites comment on preventing and eliminating digital discrimination
This call for comments is the first part of the FCC’s implementation of the Digital Discrimination section (Section 60506) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Comments are due May 16.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
Agriculture/Nutrition
USDA Food and Nutrition Services publishes memo on extension of Women, Infants, and Children benefits
The increase in the cash-value voucher for fruit and vegetable purchases in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) for WIC has been extended through the end of Fiscal Year 2022. This provision runs through Sept. 30 and more information can be found here.
FNS publishes table of active SNAP waivers by state
The table as well as more COVID-19-related SNAP information can be found here.
Education
Department of Education updates ARPA materials
The education department updated state plans for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund and maintenance of equity state materials.
Education department calls for states, school districts and higher education institutions to use ARPA funds to address teacher shortages
The secretary of education request can be found here. Actions urged include investing in evidence-based teacher residency programs, increasing the number of partnerships between educator preparedness programs and districts and increasing establishment of teaching as a registered apprenticeship.
Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announce joint effort to create and share resources to ensure children have access to school-based health services
The Education and Health and Human Services departments published a list of resources regarding school-based health services which can be found here. These resources cover early care and education, emergency response, behavioral health and trauma, social determinates of health, health care and health coverage.
Health
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publishes new resources for when routine operations resume
CMS will require states to complete a form that summarizes their plans to distribute renewals and mitigate inappropriate coverage loss forMedicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). A workbook and specifications document is available for states to support their reporting of metrics. All resources can be found here.
Health Resources and Services Administration distribute an additional $413 million in provider relief funds
This is the fourth round of provider relief fund payments focused on equity, totaling almost $12 billion. A state-by-state breakdown of Phase 4 payments can be found here. A breakdown of rural payments by state as well as more information can be found here.
Department of Health and Human Services publishes new fact sheet on COVID-19 Test to Treat initiative
Through the program, people can access a “One-stop Test to Treat” to get tested, receive appropriate treatment or a prescription and have that prescription filled all in one place.
HHS publishes COVID-19 therapeutics allocation table for March 28 – April 3
Due to a lack of funding, the Department of Health and Human Services reduced the weekly allocation of monoclonal antibody treatments, Sotrovimab and Bebtelovimab, in order to make them available for as long possible. The allocation table can be found here.
Health Resources and Services Administration COVID-19 Uninsured Program and Coverage Assistance to stop accepting claims
The program providing free access and coverage for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be accepting claims due to insufficient funds. The Coverage Assistance Fund will accept claims for vaccine administration until April 5. The Uninsured Programs are accepted claims for testing and treatment until March 22 and will accept claims for vaccine administration until April 5.
Housing
Department of Housing and Urban Development fact sheet addresses HOME Investment Partnership Program
The document provides guidance and instruction for the HOME allocation plan.
Independent Agencies
National Endowment of the Arts and Bureau of Economic Analysis release data on the impact of COVID-19 on arts and culture
In 2020, arts and culture added $876.7 billion (4.2%) to the national gross domestic product. Performing arts presenters and performing arts companies experienced one of the steepest declines in the economy in 2020. More information can be found here.
Small Business Administration announces existing COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program borrowers will receive an additional deferment
The extended deferment period will allow small businesses flexibility as they recover from recent variants, supply chain issues and inflation challenges. Loans will have 30 months of total deferment from the date of the note. More information regarding deferment can be found here.
Federal Communications Commission will open third application window for Emergency Connectivity Fund
The window will be open from April 28 – May 13 and will likely exhaust remaining funds. Eligible schools and libraries can request funds for broadband equipment and services July 1, 2022 -Dec. 31, 2023. The FCC also announced a new round of funding totaling $49 million. More information regarding the funding can be found here.
Treasury
The Treasury publishes webinar on State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds reporting for Non-Entitlement Units
The webinar covers reporting responsibilities, accessing the Department of the Treasury portal, submitting supporting documents and Frequently Asked Questions. The webinar can be found here.
Treasury department updates resources regarding Emergency Rental Assistance online application requirements
The revisions address protecting applicant data. Emergency Rental Assistance grantees should not ask for applicant information beyond what the Treasury requires. More information can be found here.
Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs awards $64.7 million to improve transitional housing facilities
The 36 capital grants to community organizations under the Grant and Per Diem program will support the construction of new buildings and renovate existing housing facilities. More information can be found here.