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Delaware Begins to Dole out American Rescue Plan Funds

Delaware Gov. John Carney is providing more than $75 million of Delaware’s American Rescue Plan Act funding to support hospitals, long-term care facilities and state-operated facilities. Funding is allocated for recruitment and retention and those already working in health care’s front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will focus on facilities experiencing staffing shortages. Carney and his administration have also announced American Rescue Plan funds are being invested in affordable housing in Wilmington, along with $50 million for statewide jobs training initiatives and another $50 million to build a modern hospital in Smyrna. The governor also announced $110 million of American Rescue Plan dollars to fund universal, wired broadband access for all Delawareans. Another $100 million will be used to support major, nonprofit capital projects statewide.

Economic Development Programs to Better Economy

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced two competitive grants in October designed to create jobs and strengthen Connecticut’s economy. The first grant, The Innovation Corridor program, will select two proposals to create 15,000 new jobs in data science, advanced manufacturing, insurance technology or another high-growth industry. The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development expects to grant a total of $100 million over five years. The other grant, the Connecticut Communities Challenge will increase place-based development in cities with up to $200 million in funding over five years. Both grants are part of Lamont’s Economic Action Plan — strategic initiatives with more than $750 million over five years, matched almost dollar-for-dollar by private or other nonstate funding. These projects should result in 80,000 new jobs.

Support for Law Enforcement in Maryland

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is instituting a $150 Re-Fund the Police Initiative in an effort to provide resources to local policing agencies statewide. Areas of funding include $120 million for state and local police agencies. This money will increase police aid to local jurisdictions by 50% statewide, including a pro-rata share for Baltimore. Of these funds, $50 million will support salary increases and hiring bonuses to ensure competitive compensation. A new fund will be created to provide body cameras and de-escalation training. The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and Maryland Sheriffs’ Association will be provided with funding to expand operational training. A $10 million Neighborhood Safety Grant will be issued through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Main Street Maryland Program to support hardware upgrades and more. Victims of Crimes Act funding will be restored with some funds as well.

States to Extend Postpartum Coverage

New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland and Maine are four of 13 states that have extended postpartum coverage for 12 months, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The American Rescue Plan allows states the opportunity to extend Medicaid’s postpartum coverage to pregnant women for a year. This coverage would begin in April 2022, and New York is currently considering the legislation. Pennsylvania will be adopting the coverage using existing authority. Currently, pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage lasts for 60 days after birth.

Massachusetts Representatives, Senators Work on Legislation

Massachusetts legislators in the Senate are hearing an act providing for building justice with jobs. This task force and act will adopt housing regulations mandating minimum energy efficiency, energy performance or related energy standards. The bill includes money to improve accessibility, lower utility costs and carbon emissions, and could help make a million homes healthier, more comfortable, and more resilient, especially in low-income communities. The Senate heard the bill in late September.