Harris County Sheriff’s Office TeleDeputy Unit will improve response times to high priority calls In a unanimous vote on June 27, Harris County commissioners approved $1.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to enhance the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) TeleDeputy Unit. The TeleDeputy program will have officers who are working overtime handle low-priority, non-urgent 911 calls remotely, rather than sending out the officer to write a report. Currently, these low-priority calls make […]
American Rescue Plan Act
Commissioner Andy Meyers secures $1.5 million for critical Meadows Place infrastructure repairs
A City of Meadows Place wastewater treatment plant that is more than 40 years old and in critical need of refurbishment will get some much-needed upgrades thanks to $1.5 million of federal funding secured by Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers. Meadows Place relies on its wastewater treatment plant to serve the City’s 5,000 residents and businesses. While the required repairs are extensive, when completed the plant will be more environmentally friendly and […]
Harris County Allocates $14.3 Million to Tackle Behavioral and Mental Health
Judge Lina Hidalgo along with several local members of congress today introduced a $14.3 million initiative aimed at combating the growing mental health crisis and an additional $7.5 million to address nutritional and food insecurity. Through a multi-million dollar allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Behavioral and Mental Health Program will increase access to mental health services, with a focus on expanding counseling for youth and their families, before mental health issues […]
Judge Hidalgo Announces Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids Initiative
A Historic $84 Million Investment of American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) Funds Judge Lina Hidalgo shared evidence-based strategies as the cornerstone of an $84 million investment in Harris County children and families. The Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids was announced in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Judge Hidalgo along with Commissioner Ellis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congressmember Al Green, and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher announced the $84 million initiative at the Children’s Museum […]
HHSC Urges Rural Hospitals, Nursing Facilities to Apply for COVID-19 Funding By Jan. 12 Deadline
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is reminding rural hospitals and nursing facilities in Texas to apply for $128 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to help pay for critical staffing needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Jan. 12. “We’re encouraging health care providers who have worked so hard in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for these funds which […]
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Accepting Applications from Libraries for $1.8 Million in ARPA Grants
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) will begin accepting applications on Sept. 3 for three new grant programs made possible by emergency pandemic funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Available funds total at least $1.8 million and are provided by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under ARPA. Texas libraries are encouraged to apply through TSLAC’s online grants management program by Oct. 1. TSLAC will host an informational webinar […]
Paxton Sues Biden Administration Over Dictating Texas Tax Policy in Federal COVID-19 Relief Law
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration over a provision in the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act. Though the Act generally assists Texans recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, one provision—the Tax Mandate—specifically demands that Texas not use funds received through the Act to “directly or indirectly” offset tax revenue reduction caused by changes in tax policy. This condition prohibits Texas and other states with similar low-tax models of governance from cutting taxes for […]