March 31st, 2021 by WCBC Radio
Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones today announced a bipartisan budget agreement to allocate the $3.9 billion in federal funding that the State of Maryland expects to receive through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The major components of the bipartisan agreement to provide targeted relief are:
- $1.1 billion in federal funding will be dedicated to shoring up the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to help stabilize unemployment insurance tax rates for businesses for calendar years 2022 and 2023.
- $800 million will be dedicated to supporting existing state efforts to provide pandemic relief, including the RELIEF Act of 2021 and the Maryland Strong: Economic Recovery Initiative.
- More than $600 million will be dedicated to supporting the safe reopening of Maryland schools, including:
- $481 million to address pandemic-related costs
- $80 million to support improved HVAC and ventilation systems ($40 million in both FY22 and FY23)
- $46 million to address the continued long-term impact of learning loss
- $500 million will be dedicated to supporting the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transportation Authority in improving services and infrastructure.
- $300 million will be dedicated to major investments in broadband technology, including:
- $128 million to improve network infrastructure
- $75 million for service fee and device subsidies
- $45 million for municipal broadband grants
- $300 million will be dedicated to supporting critical lifelines for Marylanders in need, including:
- $140 million to support the higher than estimated caseload cost in the Temporary Cash Assistance program
- $54 million to continue existing state programs that enhance monthly benefits for Marylanders receiving Temporary Cash Assistance and Temporary Disability Assistance through the end of 2021
- $50 million to support existing state efforts to help Marylanders struggling with utility bills by providing arrearage assistance
- $26 million to provide a temporary one-year 2% rate increase in FY22 for nursing homes
- $75 million will be dedicated to a variety of apprenticeships and employment training programs, and $15 million will be dedicated to promoting teleworking in the public and private sectors.
- $100 million will be dedicated to supporting state employees providing essential services, including:
- Continuing quarantine pay for existing state employees—including front line healthcare workers, corrections officers, and police officers who work in environments that could expose them to COVID-19, who are currently receiving it through December 31, 2021.
- Reinstating response pay for previously eligible employees back to September 2020, and continuing it until December 31, 2021. Only employees who currently receive or previously received this pay are eligible.
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