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.