ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and Speaker Adrienne Jones announced Thursday how they plan to spend $3.9 billion in federal funding that Maryland expects to receive from the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act.
Here is a breakdown:
- $1.1 billion will go to Maryland's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to stabilize unemployment taxes for businesses during the 2022 and 2023 calendar years.
- $800 million will be added to ongoing state relief efforts that have previously been funded through the RELIEF Act of 2021, and Maryland's Economic Recovery Initiative.
- Over $600 million will support the reopening of schools, including $481 million towards pandemic-related costs, $80 million for improved HVAC/ventilation systems, and $46 million to address the 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 towards Temporary Cash and Disability Assistance through the end of 2021, help with utility bills, and a one-year 2% rate increase in FY22 for nursing homes
- $75 million for a variety of apprenticeships and employment training programs, and $15 million to promoting telework 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.
