Conditions appear ripe for revival of Virginia s economy, with state budget revenues soaring and Gov. Ralph Northam making plans with General Assembly leaders for $4.3 billion in emergency federal aid
One of Ted Turner's ranches in southern New Mexico will be the new home for a pair of Mexican gray wolves and their pups as federal wildlife managers look
MICHAEL MARTZ
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia will receive $4.3 billion, or $500 million more than previously expected, under the American Rescue Plan Act, while Richmond and other cities will get a double financial benefit because of their status as independent cities under guidance released by the U.S. Treasury Department on Monday.
The additional benefit will be $64.6 million for Roanoke.
Richmond will receive $110 million as a city and almost $45 million as a county under the act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on March 11 as the first signature legislative achievement of his presidency to jumpstart an economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some states plan big spending with Biden’s aid, others wait
FILE - In this Monday, Feb 8, 2021 file photo, Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during a news conference about expanding rural internet access in the state, at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. The federal American Rescue Plan, comes on top of $150 billion the federal government sent directly to states and local governments in 2020. This year s law cites infrastructure for water, sewer and broadband internet as allowable uses. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
FILE - In this Wednesday, March 30, 2021 file photo, workers replace old water lines under Main Street as part of work to update water and sewer systems as well as prepare the road for the expansion of a street car line in Kansas City, Mo. The federal American Rescue Plan, comes on top of $150 billion the federal government sent directly to states and local governments in 2020. This year s law cites infrastructure for water, sewer and broadband internet as a
May 10, 2021
Though still awaiting money from the latest federal coronavirus relief act, some governors and state lawmakers already are making plans to add the multibillion-dollar boon to their budgets.
Among their priorities: bailing out depleted unemployment accounts, expanding high-speed internet and providing additional aid to schools and businesses.
The $1.9 trillion pandemic relief law signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year contains $350 billion of flexible aid for state and local governments, plus billions of dollars more for specific programs such as housing assistance. Unlike earlier coronavirus aid, states have broad leeway to use the money to plug budget holes, invest in certain infrastructure or address the “negative economic impacts” of the pandemic.