This year, we also have the rare task of spending the $1.04 billion that Nebraska has been allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act. These ARPA funds can help our state grow into the future.
I cannot stress it enough: ARPA funds are one-time funds. They must be spent as such. Each one of us has a responsibility to guard against spending this money in a way that grows government expenses.
My proposal includes 29 qualifying initiatives that will better Nebraska. It will deliver nearly $200 million for public health emergency response.
And, for areas that experienced negative economic impacts from COVID-19, I am requesting over $500 million. This includes assistance for economic development projects in North Omaha and funding for beef processing supply chain issues in North Platte.
It secures funding for parents of low-income children who have experienced learning loss during the pandemic, and it provides Nebraska’s community colleges dollars to enhance their workforce development programs.
It also funds behavioral health and nursing incentives to ensure continued access to excellent care throughout our state.
@GovRicketts so you’re going to spend money on health care but you’re not going to do literally anything that could help the stop of covid, the thing killing healthcare workers