LOC News
Legislature Taking Testimony on American Rescue Plan Priorities
The Joint Ways and Means Committee is conducting hearings to solicit public testimony on how Oregon should prioritize spending the state’s $2.6 billion in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. City elected officials are encouraged to testify. For more details, view this press release. City leaders can submit written testimony or sign up to testify on the committee’s OLIS page by clicking on the appropriate date.
The state will be limited to the same requirements for using the money as cities, including responding to the public health emergency, assisting residents and businesses weather the economic effects of the pandemic, and making investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
City leaders are encouraged to share the needs in their community and encourage the state to engage local governments in an intentional process that: seeks input and feedback about investing state ARPA funds to leverage local ARPA funds; ensures we’re not unnecessarily duplicating efforts; and ultimately, deliver on our shared goals and priorities for Oregon.
Specifically, we would ask that testimony request state matching funds for programs or infrastructure investments that your city plans to undertake. We have an opportunity to align state and local planning and implementation to maximize benefits to communities across the state, improve the lives of Oregonians, and set our state on a strong path to recover better.
The dates and times for the remainging hearings are listed below. View a map of congressional districts
- District 2 - Saturday, April 17, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- District 3 - Wednesday, April 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- District 4 - Thursday, April 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- District 5 - Saturday, April 24, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Contact: Mark Gharst, LOC Lobbyist - 503-991-2192 or mgharst@orcities.org
Last Updated 4/16/21