2021S0622-1 10/18/21
By: Menéndez, et al. S.R. No. 96
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(ARPA) provides $195 billion in funding to states to mitigate the
economic impact of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, From the state's share of ARPA funding, the Texas
Legislature has appropriated $16.3 billion to address statewide
needs that are essential to recovery from the pandemic, such as
unemployment compensation, infrastructure, education, health
care, nutrition, and emergency management; and
WHEREAS, These appropriations, made under Senate Bill 8,
87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, include $7.2 billion to
reimburse the unemployment compensation fund, $500 million for
broadband infrastructure, $237 million to complete the
construction of a state hospital in Dallas, $2.5 billion for
hospital surge staffing, and $100 million for food banks and
home-delivered meals; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 8 also provides $160 million for
crime victims assistance, $200 million for cybersecurity, and
$325 million for university construction; and
WHEREAS, The legislature has additionally appropriated
from ARPA funds $300 million to build a state operations center
for emergency management, $113 million to provide mental health
services for children and families, and $286 million to the
Teacher Retirement System for insurance claims related to the
pandemic; and
WHEREAS, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala
Harris provided pivotal leadership in encouraging bipartisanship
in the United States Congress in its enactment of this landmark
legislation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby extend its deepest and
most profound gratitude to President Biden and Vice President
Harris for their work in providing crucial ARPA funding to the
state.