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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 |
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(ARPA) provides $195 billion in funding to states to mitigate the |
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economic impact of COVID-19; and |
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WHEREAS, From the state's share of ARPA funding, the Texas |
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Legislature has appropriated $16.3 billion to address statewide |
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needs that are essential to recovery from the pandemic, such as |
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unemployment compensation, infrastructure, education, health |
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care, nutrition, and emergency management; and |
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WHEREAS, These appropriations, made under Senate Bill 8, |
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87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, include $7.2 billion to |
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reimburse the unemployment compensation fund, $500 million for |
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broadband infrastructure, $237 million to complete the |
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construction of a state hospital in Dallas, $2.5 billion for |
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hospital surge staffing, and $100 million for food banks and |
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home-delivered meals; and |
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WHEREAS, Senate Bill 8 also provides $160 million for |
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crime victims assistance, $200 million for cybersecurity, and |
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$325 million for university construction; and |
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WHEREAS, The legislature has additionally appropriated |
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from ARPA funds $300 million to build a state operations center |
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for emergency management, $113 million to provide mental health |
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services for children and families, and $286 million to the |
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Teacher Retirement System for insurance claims related to the |
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pandemic; and |
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WHEREAS, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala |
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Harris provided pivotal leadership in encouraging bipartisanship |
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in the United States Congress in its enactment of this landmark |
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legislation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby extend its deepest and |
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most profound gratitude to President Biden and Vice President |
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Harris for their work in providing crucial ARPA funding to the |
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state. |
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