City of Laredo Mayor Urges Texas Lawmakers to Fund Priorities with ARPA Revenue
Written by admin, Sep 24, 2021, 0 Comments
Courtesy David Alegria,
Mayor Pete Saenz was one of various Texas mayors to sign a letter directed to Governor Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan
Laredo, Texas – On September 21, 2021, more than a dozen Texas Big City Mayors, including Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, asked legislative leaders to dedicate a portion of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to key municipal needs, including housing and utility assistance.
A letter was sent to Governor Gregg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dade Phelan. The letter stated, “the pandemic exposed clear areas for improvement to our infrastructure and public service provision, and with the third COVID-19 wave fueled by the Delta variant, there are still challenges on the horizon.” The mayors cited housing and utilities assistance, the healthcare system, broadband development and accessibility, business support, and early childhood education and child care as essential priorities to fund with the federal relief revenue.
“As we move forward toward a post-pandemic world, it is crucial to identify and prioritize essential needs in the community. I am honored to have been involved in this initiative along with other mayors to raise the voice and needs of our beloved communities,” states Mayor Pete Saenz.
The Legislature is conducting its third special session of 2021. Allocating $16 billion of ARPA funds received by the state is on the agenda.
