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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""><img width="624" height="147" style="width:6.5in;height:1.5312in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D71BED.422FB1A0"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">March 18, 2021</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Gov. Little details path forward for federal American Rescue Plan Act funds in Idaho</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Boise, Idaho – During a press conference today, Governor Brad Little emphasized the need to direct the billions of dollars allocated for Idaho from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
into long-range investments that will benefit our grandchildren – the generation that will have to pay off the massive federal debt.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Governor Little said he will work closely with the Legislature in allocating the funds. He said he will spend time traveling the state to meet with legislators, business groups,
and others on the best ways to strategically invest the funds.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:red">Why is Idaho accepting the new federal money?</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Governor Little detailed his concerns with the massive federal spending bill but said rejecting the funds is not the right thing to do for Idaho.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">“Rejecting the funds would mean California, New York, Illinois, and other big states get to spend Idahoans’ tax dollars. Rejecting the funds would mean Idaho
gives up our say in how our allocated share gets spent. That is unacceptable. Therefore, Idaho will accept the allocation for our state,” Governor Little said.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:red">How much money will the State of Idaho receive from the ARPA?</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Funds to state and local governments:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color:#201F1E;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">$1.89 billion in discretionary funds
</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color:#201F1E;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">$1.188 billion to the state for COVID response </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color:#201F1E;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">$126 million to the state for COVID capital projects </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color:#201F1E;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">$347 million for county governments and $229 million for city governments</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color:#201F1E;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">$981 million for direct programs ranging from K12 to childcare grants</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Funds to Idaho citizens and businesses:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="color:#201F1E;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">More than $2 billion in direct support to businesses and individuals, including stimulus checks and other economic support (PPP loans,
support for restaurants and live venues)</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:red">What are Governor Little’s priorities in the allocation of the ARPA funds?</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">The funds are mortgaged from our grandchildren, and Governor Little said we should make
<b>long-range investments</b> that will serve to better their chances and opportunities since they are burdened with paying off the debt.</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">One-time funds should go to one-time expenses</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">. He said we will not create ongoing
obligations that would be shifted to the General Fund once the federal funds run out.</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">The use of the funds also
<b>should not impede our constitutional mandate</b> to provide a long-term, structurally balanced budget for the people of Idaho. They should do the opposite – the funds should be used to lower the state’s capital and deferred maintenance costs in the years
ahead.</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list:l5 level1 lfo6"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">The funds also
<b>should not duplicate other federal programs</b> where support is provided to specific industries or through specific programs.</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNoSpacing" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo7"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">Since states have nearly four years to spend most of the ARPA funds, Governor Little said we should
<b>take our time and be strategic and thoughtful</b> about how the funds are allocated. To be prudent, we should await U.S. Treasury guidance and study the impact of other direct programs in ARPA to ensure we target support to needed gaps.
</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:red"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:red">What is the process for allocating the ARPA funds in Idaho?</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">Governor Little said he is committed to working closely with the Legislature in the allocation of the funds.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">Unlike the federal CARES Act dollars Idaho received last year, which had to be spent in nine months, states have nearly four years to spend
most of the new funds. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">However, some of the direct funds to agencies – mostly for K-12 public education – are legally required to be allocated within 30 to 60 days.
Governor Little said we cannot wait until the next legislative session to direct these funds to our public schools.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">“Therefore, I have been actively working with legislators on a plan for them to take the required actions before adjourning, while setting
up a process to make long-range investments with the remaining funds,” Governor Little said.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:red">Why is the process for allocating the ARPA funds different than how Idaho allocated the CARES Act funds last year?</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">Governor Little said:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">“When the CARES Act funds arrived last year, we were in the throes of a crisis. We were dealing with a new virus and had little knowledge of
the extent of its impacts. We had little testing, no treatments, too little PPE for hospitals and workers, and no vaccine. We needed to act quickly in deploying federal resources so we could prepare for the worst. That is why we set up the Coronavirus Financial
Advisory Committee – made up of legislators and others – to recommend the best ways to use the funds to quickly respond to the crisis. We had only nine months to spend the CARES Act funds, and we did so responsibly and transparently.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">“This time around, we have nearly four years to spend the new funds. This time around, we’re not in crisis mode. We’ve learned a lot about
the disease, how it spreads, and how to best protect ourselves and our loved ones. We have the safe and effective COVID vaccine, the treatments to keep people out of the hospital if they catch COVID, and widely available testing and PPE.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">“That is why, this time around, the situation allows us to spend more time deliberating on the best ways to use the funds to support the next
generation of Idahoans who will have to deal with paying off the debt.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E">“We should not hastily spend the funds we receive. We should wait for guidance from the U.S. Treasury, so we responsibly allocate these resources.
We must be thoughtful and deliberative in our approach,” Governor Little said.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans";color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""># # #</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison, Press Secretary</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">208-943-1686 or
</span><a href="mailto:marissa.morrison@gov.idaho.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">marissa.morrison@gov.idaho.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Open Sans"">--</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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