Gov. Kay Ivey and legislative leadership on Thursday commended lawmakers’ display of bipartisanship in approving a $772 million bill appropriating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
House Bill 1, sponsored by State Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark), which was the lower chamber’s companion legislation to State Sen. Greg Albritton’s (R-Atmore) Senate Bill 1, overwhelmingly passed the legislature Thursday morning.
The package includes significant funding for broadband expansion, health care, sewer and water infrastructure, emergency response services, county reimbursements, and the Alabama Unemployment Trust Fund.
Ivey, who called the legislature into special session to appropriate the state’s share of federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, applauded the bipartisan nature in which the package was negotiated.
“I am pleased Alabama will use these one-time federal dollars wisely thanks to the strong work by our Legislature. I commend our legislators for their efficient work in directing these funds to meet some of Alabama’s toughest challenges,” stated the governor. “We are making smart investments to increase statewide broadband connectivity, improve our water and sewer infrastructure, as well as health care infrastructure. We are also addressing measures to reduce employment taxes paid by Alabama businesses as they continue to rebound from the pandemic. This was an overwhelmingly bipartisan effort by the men and women of the Alabama Legislature, and I am proud of their good work in dealing with the task the federal government dealt us.”
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) praised lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for joining forces to pass the appropriations package.
“Today is a major win for hardworking families and local communities in every corner of Alabama,” proclaimed Reed. “I congratulate and thank my colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle, who came together, did the hard work, and showed what the legislature can achieve when working earnestly in a spirit of collaboration and transparency. We also appreciate Governor Ivey and her team, including Finance Director Bill Poole, for their support and cooperation throughout this process.”
The Senate leader applauded the work of Albritton, who is chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee, and Clouse, who chairs the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee.
“A tremendous amount of conversation and diligence went into this, resulting in the best possible consensus that will allow this money to make a generational impact for Alabama,” advised Reed. “Chairmen Albritton and Clouse should be commended for their exemplary leadership that made today happen. From expanding high-speed broadband internet access to supporting our health care system and volunteer fire departments, the legislature has delivered a bill that will build stronger hometowns across our great state and increase 21st century opportunity for our children and our children’s children.”
Albritton indicated that the priorities addressed in the bill would serve as long term investments for the citizenry.
“The Legislature’s passage of HB1 is a significant victory for the people of Alabama. The positive outcomes that will generate from these critical investments will support our state for generations to come,” declared Albritton. “The bipartisan work that took place in the legislature and the collaboration that transpired between lawmakers, the governor, and each agency involved should make each Alabamian very proud. Your state leaders and officials are working on your behalf to ensure your home state is well-equipped to provide the necessary resources and tools for a bright future. This is a great day for Alabama.”
The $772 million package follows the $1.54 billion the state appropriated in ARPA funds last year. In June, Alabama is set to receive an additional $1.06 billion in federal pandemic relief dollars.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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