Webinar to review how states used pandemic aid

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress in 2021 provided Nebraska and other states with a historic influx of federal funding to help in the response to economic and public health challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Nebraska, the Legislature in 2022 allocated $1.04 billion of ARPA funds, targeting some 40 projects and initiatives. In 2023, the Legislature continued to refine its plan for using federal ARPA dollars to support pandemic relief and key economic development priorities.

What are lessons Nebraska can take away from how other states seek to make wise decisions about the best uses of this historic federal funding? Join OpenSky for a webinar at noon on Wednesday, January 31, with researchers from The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Rebecca Thiess and Peter Muller will review how the decisions that states made in spending ARPA funds could contribute to – or reduce the risk of – future imbalances in state budgets from their recent report, “Pandemic Aid: How States Safeguarded Against Future Budget Challenges.” John Hamman will then discuss his recommendations from “Tools for Sustainable State Budgeting.”

Listen in for that plus updates on expected ARPA action in the current Nebraska legislative session, including the potential for a significant re-allocation of funding to transportation projects.