North Dakota Legislative Democrats have unveiled their plan to spend the more than $1 billion from the American Recovery Plan Act.
The issue of spending that money will likely be part of the November special session.
“This is (a) one-time federal investment and it’s an opportunity to act and big and move our economy to the next level for our work force and the future of our families,” said Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman of New Rockford.
Heckman told reporters the measure would allocate $400 million to child care — $200 million for a direct assistance formula, providing $1400 to licensed facilities for each child. Another $200 million would go to schools that wish to build child care facilities on school ground.
“We believe that to have a strong, engaged work force, we must do our part in ensuring that facilities with quality staffing continue into the future,“ Heckman said. “We already have those facilities across the state but we don’t have enough of them.”
Another $100 million would go toward a paid family leave program, through Workforce Safety and Insurance.
There is also money for various infrastructure projects. House Minority Leader Josh Boshee of Fargo.
“Our plan calls for $400 million to be earmarked for shovel-ready, long-term infrastructure projects that help with economic development, community development and, of course, transportation needs throughout the state,” Boschee said.
In addition, $25 million would go toward building a new women’s prison in Mandan, $75 million towards behavioral health, and $7 million to provide incentives for people to work for state and local public health units.
Fargo Democratic Senator Tim Mathern will be the primary sponsor.
(NDPPR / KNOX)
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