WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria was joined by local leaders throughout Coastal Virginia to highlight the benefits of the American Rescue Plan Act less than two months after it was signed into law. During the conversation, Congresswoman Luria heard the concerns of local leaders and pledged to send a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury urging it to expedite the release of guidance on how localities can use the funding included in the American Rescue Plan Act.
Congresswoman Luria discussed the $1.9 trillion economic recovery package, which provided $1,400 direct payments to eligible Virginians, expanded the Child Tax Credit for working families, and secured billions in aid for schools and local governments, with City of Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, City of Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, City of Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons, Town of Cape Charles Mayor Smitty Dize, Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck, Accomack County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Wolff, and York County Board of Supervisors Chairman Chad Green.
“Through the American Rescue Plan, Virginia will receive roughly $4.4 billion in state relief, $2.9 billion in local aid, and roughly $2.2 billion to help schools open safely, stay open safely and make up for lost learning time,” Congresswoman Luria said. “This funding will be critical to protecting vital local services that residents depend on and in preventing layoffs that will further weaken the economy. I am grateful for the continued partnership of the mayors and local leaders who are going to help Coastal Virginia emerge from the pandemic stronger than before.”
You can watch the full press conference here.
The American Rescue Plan Act allocates funding to localities in Coastal Virginia, including: $159,510,000 to Norfolk, $13,530,000 to Poquoson, $2,900,000 to Williamsburg, $930,000 to Cape Charles, $138,520,000 to Virginia Beach, $24,910,000 to Hampton, $6,270,000 to Accomack County and $13,240,000 to York County.
The Department of Treasury must issue guidance detailing its interpretation and implementation of eligible uses of the American Rescue Plan Act prior to May 10th. The law specifically authorizes the use of funds to respond to the pandemic or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small business, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality; for premium pay to eligible workers performing essential work during the pandemic, providing up to $13/hour above regular wages; for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the pandemic (relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year.); and to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
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