Important Information
Governor Brewer Creates Public Safety Grant Program
Governor Jan Brewer today released program guidance for the Public Safety Stabilization Program, a grant program established using the Governor’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) Discretionary monies allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.“The announcement of these funds gives law enforcement and fire departments a chance to make proposals for funding to enhance operations and improve crime-fighting, fire-fighting and first response capabilities,” said Governor Brewer. “The intention of providing the funds to local public safety agencies is to ensure they have the resources needed to provide safety and security to citizens in their local communities given the nationwide downturn in revenues at all levels of government.”Governor Brewer previously authorized the utilization of $10 million of State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to fund the Public Safety Stabilization Program. Details of the program and guidance for application can be reviewed here. Eligible jurisdictions include counties, incorporated cities and towns, tribal nations, and independent fire districts. Completed strategies must be submitted by first responder’s to Governor Brewer’s Office of Economic Recovery (OER) by no later than 5:00 p.m., September 17, 2010.
Click here to view a copy of the press release.
The 2010 CSA Legislative Summary Is Now Online
These summaries were compiled by CSA staff to serve as an initial resource to you to assist in your own analysis of legislation. Click here to go straight to our Advocacy page for the 2010 Legislative Summary.
Enhanced FMAP Funding Passes U.S. Senate; Less Funding Than Expected Given
After months of negotiations, the U.S. Senate passed a measure that includes $16.1 billion for Enhanced FMAP funding, to assist states in paying Medicaid costs. The House is set to vote next week. The measure extends increased federal assistance for six months through the end of FY2011; however, the assistance is funded at a lower level than the enhanced FMAP currently in place. Arizona will receive approximately 40 percent less than state lawmakers were projecting.
The measure, which also included funding for schools, passed on a nearly party-line vote, All Senate Democrats voted in favor, and two Maine Republicans (Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins) crossed the line to approve the measure with 61 votes in favor.
Arizona would receive about $250 million in Enhanced FMAP funding. Over the last two fiscal years, the state of Arizona has received over $7 billion in federal funding as the state struggles to balance a billion dollar deficit in the coming year. Earlier in the year, the state made changes to maintain eligibility for Medicaid, predicated on additional funding coming through. The receipts from the House approved package represent approximately 60 percent of the funds legislators expected when drafting the modified budget.
Enhanced FMAP funding increases the percentage of Medicaid costs paid by the federal government and provides more funding to states with high unemployment. The original authorization was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the "stimulus" package) of 2009, and the provision is set to expire in December of 2010.
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