The Interim Final Rule Facilitates Swift By @jhasan ।। 21-Oct-2023
THE ARPA
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The ARPA provides a substantial infusion of resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a more robust, more equitable economy as the country recovers. First, payments from the Fiscal Recovery Funds help to ensure that State, local, and Tribal governments have the resources needed to continue to take actions to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and bring the pandemic under control.
Payments from the Fiscal Recovery Funds may also be used by recipients to provide support for costs incurred in addressing public health and economic challenges resulting from the pandemic, including resources to offer premium pay to essential workers in recognition of their sacrifices over the last year. Recipients may also use payments from the Fiscal Recovery Funds to replace State, local, and Tribal government revenue lost due to COVID-19, helping to ensure that governments can continue to provide needed services and avoid cuts or layoffs.
The Interim Final Rule facilitates swift and effective implementation by establishing a framework for determining the types of programs and services eligible under the ARPA, along with examples of uses that State, local, and Tribal governments may consider. These uses build on qualified expenditures under the CRF, including some expansions in eligible services to respond to the public health emergency, such as vaccination campaigns. They also reflect changes in the needs of communities, as evidenced by,
For example, nationwide data demonstrating disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on specific populations, geographies, and economic sectors.
The Interim Final Rule considers these extreme impacts by recognizing a broad range of eligible uses to help States, local, and Tribal governments support the families, businesses, and communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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Implementing the Fiscal Recovery Funds also reflects the importance of public input, transparency, and accountability. Treasury seeks comment on all aspects of the Interim Final Rule and, to better facilitate public comment, has included specific questions throughout this Supplementary Information. The Treasury encourages State, local, and Tribal governments, in particular, to provide feedback and to engage with the Treasury regarding issues that may arise regarding all aspects of this Interim Final Rule and the Treasury's work in administering the Fiscal Recovery Funds.
In addition, the Interim Final Rule establishes specific regular reporting requirements, including requiring State, local, and Tribal governments to publish information regarding uses of Fiscal Recovery Funds payments in their local jurisdiction. These reporting requirements reflect the need for transparency and accountability while recognizing and minimizing the burden, particularly for smaller local governments.
Treasury urges State, territorial, Tribal, and local governments to engage their constituents and communities in developing plans to use these payments, given the scale of funding and its potential to catalyze broader economic recovery and rebuilding.