Amended legislation appropriating $1.06 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding passed both the House and Senate on Thursday.
According to the legislation filed by State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville), $660 million of the $1 billion-plus total would go to water, sewer, and broadband spending. The legislation would send $100 million each to hospitals and nursing homes. $55 million was earmarked for "programs or services in response to the negative economic impacts of the public health emergency," such as food banks, domestic violence victim assistance, and summer education. Finally, $40 million each would go to reimbursements to the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Board and the State Employees' Health Insurance Board.
State Senate Pro-Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) said on Thursday, "I think they have gone to a great spot in all of the different categories in which we are going to put them to work for the people of Alabama."
Three state senators voted against the measure. State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said on Thursday on the Senate floor that he was voting against the bill because "it does not fully fund the (Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan) expense that was directly related to COVID, which was the reason the feds passed the original federal law for the rescue plan in the beginning."
"I think we are doing a disservice to PEEHIP," Orr said.
State Sens. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) and April Weaver (R-Brierfield) were the other two "no" votes in the Senate. In the House, State Reps. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) and Ben Harrison (R-Elkmont) were the two dissenting "no" votes.
The legislation will now head to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.
Ivey called the legislative special session last Wednesday to allocate ARPA funds and transfer nearly $60 million from the state's General Fund to pay off the remainder of a debt to the Alabama Trust Fund.
This special session was called in the middle of the regular session, which is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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