Oklahoma Legislature to consider nine ARPA projects in special session | Kiowa County Press

(The Heart Sq.) – The Oklahoma Legislature will contemplate 9 initiatives that embrace rural water initiatives and psychological well being companies as a part of their particular session. 

The practically $323 million in initiatives are a part of the state’s $1.8 billion allotment from the American Rescue Plan Act. Greater than $18 billion in requests had been obtained by a public portal opened by the state final yr, in line with a information launch. 

The initiatives are:

• A 100-bed psychological well being facility that will probably be added to Griffin Memorial Hospital at a value of $87 million.
• An allocation of $38 million for added capability and growth on the Tulsa Heart for Behavioral Well being.
• A holistic well being and health heart that can present psychological and bodily well being companies for army members and first responders. The committee allotted $22,150,00 for the venture. 
• The College Hospital Authority, OU Well being and the College of Oklahoma Well being Sciences Heart will obtain a mixed $44 million for a brand new digital file system and know-how upgrades. 
• The State Division of Well being IT will obtain $26 million to enhance IT capabilities on the Oklahoma State Division of Well being and create digital well being data. 
• An allocation of $6.2 million will go to the Administrative Workplace of the Courtroom for upgrades in e-filing, language entry, case monitoring and video conferencing. 
• Twelve million {dollars} will probably be used to enhance water infrastructure in rural Oklahoma. 
• A further $35 million is allotted for partnerships with municipalities, cities and tribes on water and sewer initiatives. Among the funds will probably be used to relocate a water transmission major close to Tinker Air Pressure Base. 
• A $50 million grant program will probably be established for water infrastructure wants. Included is cash for small communities and rural districts in addition to funding for dam rehabilitation. 

“The aim of the joint committee when assessing and recommending ARPA initiatives for legislative consideration is to find out how these initiatives will profit our state,” stated Speaker Professional Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow in an announcement. “The entire initiatives really useful by the joint committee on this part is not going to solely present a profit to Oklahomans within the quick time period, however may also create a robust basis for the long run.”