The American Rescue Plan will help CA-36 respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic

WASHINGTON — The Department of Treasury will send over half a billion dollars to Riverside County and cities throughout the 36th District through the American Rescue Plan, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., announced Tuesday.

Riverside County will receive $479,874,599 from the Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Fund to strengthen public health efforts, support vital public services, and fund relief programs for households and businesses. Dr. Ruiz voted in support of the American Rescue Plan to secure these critical relief funds for local governments.

“The American Rescue Plan is bringing home over half a billion dollars that will save jobs, keep essential services running, and help our local economy recover,” said Dr. Ruiz. “The robust state, local and Tribal government funding included in President Biden’s plan will make much-needed investments in our communities and keep our teachers, first responders, and other essential workers on the payroll. With the American Rescue Plan’s bold investment in our region, we will build back better than ever before.”

Local cities in CA-36 will receive the following allocations worth over $85 million from the American Rescue Plan:

  • Beaumont – $7.3 million
  • Cathedral City – $15.6 million
  • Hemet – $21.7 million
  • Indio – $20.4 million
  • Palm Desert – $9.9 million
  • Palm Springs – $10.8 million

Upon receipt of this money, Riverside County and local cities will be able to offer a range of relief programs, including helping businesses retain employees and assisting households with overdue utility bills and rent payments.

The State of California will also receive $27 billion to help with recovery efforts statewide.

According to the Treasury Department, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds will provide state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments with resources to meet pandemic response needs and build back better. Riverside County and local cities may use these funds to:

  • Support public health expenditures, by, for example, funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral health care, and certain public health and safety staff;
  • Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector;
  • Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic;
  • Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors;
  • Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and storm water infrastructure, and expand access to broadband internet.
  • Within these overall categories, recipients have broad flexibility to decide how best to use this funding to meet the needs of their communities.
  • Local governments will receive funds in two tranches, with 50% provided beginning in May 2021 and the balance delivered approximately 12 months later.

Not a single Republican Member of Congress voted for this funding that will restore public services, help children return to school, protect local businesses, and provide the life-saving vaccines that will help our community return to normal.

 

 

 

 

Image Sources

  • American Rescue Plan: Shutterstock