Tester provides details on American Rescue plan to Montana mayors

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., held a call for Montana's mayors about the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package - American Rescue Plan - that recently passed the U.S. Senate and how it will be distributed.

On a party-line vote, the Senate passed the bill Saturday after amending the version passed by the House, also without any Republican support.

The House is expected to pass the amended version today, also likely on a party-line vote.

Tester said Tuesday that even after a year of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the vaccine rolling out, Montanans he's spoken with across the state have told him about the myriad issues they are facing as a result of the pandemic, and he said they need relief before the larger economy is going to get back on track.

"While things are improving, the crisis is far from over," he said, "... We are not going to be able to fully reopen overnight, which is why the package includes targeted relief to Montanans in the meantime."

He said the package includes the much-talked-about $1,400 checks for direct relief to people and more than $20 billion for vaccine distribution, which will further improve the U.S. response to the pandemic.

He said the package also provides funds specifically for distributing the vaccines to veterans through the VA, which will allow for a more aggressive approach to assisting this vulnerable population.

Tester said the the package also fully restores long-distance service on Amtrak including the Empire Builder, which will be important for northern Montana's economic development as the pandemic subsides.

On the subject of economic development, Tester said, the package includes $60 billion for small businesses of all types, with $3 billion set aside for the hospitality industry including travel and entertainment, which has seen business dry up more than most.

He said the enhanced unemployment benefits in the is package are not as substantial as the CARES Act passed last year with an additional $300 in benefits per unemployed person instead of $600, though he said the first $10,000 received is tax-free, unlike last year.

Tester also touted the package's investments in education which will allow more and more schools and universities to move back into in-person learning.

"The bottom line is that this package will allow us to get the virus under control, get folks back to work, fully reopen our schools and reopen our economy," he said.

One aspect of the package he emphasized was the built-in oversight measures, which he said are similar in nature to the CARES Act, but considerably more intense.

He said inspectors general will be empowered to keep watch over how the money is distributed and congressional oversight hearings, particularly for the Treasury Department, will provide accountability.

Local government

Tester said the funds going to local governments will be distributed directly in the case Great Falls, Billings, and Missoula due to their size, but others will see their funds distributed through the state.

He said a similar method will be used for education money which will be distributed through OPI, albeit with some stipulations for how much must be used for things like summer school and after-school programs, as well as programs specifically to address the learning loss that occurred during the pandemic.

Great Falls Mayor and former president of the Montana League of Cities and Towns Bob Kelly called the money from the package a "direct injection of hope."

He said he's seen nearly every facet of every sector of Great Fall's economy affected by the pandemic and said, much like COVID-19 itself, the symptoms he sees today will doubtless have residual effects for some time, which this package will help alleviate.

He said these new funds will allow the city to maintain essential services, close the education gap, increase broadband internet access and improve transportation.

Kelly said the fact his city will receive the money directly is good and his top priority is to bolster public safety and the efforts of first responders.

He said the last few months have exposed weaknesses and he wants to beef up their systems.

He also said the city might be able to use funds to delay anticipated tax increases in order to further lighten residents' load.

Kelly said he appreciates Tester and his colleagues' work getting this package passed.

Sidney Mayor and current President of the Montana League of Cities and Towns Rick Norby said eastern Montana gives its collective thanks to Tester and the package for what it will do.

He said he's especially concerned with making sure people stay housed in the wake of the pandemic and hopes this package will help with that.

He also said the direct stimulus to the economy will be helpful in getting local businesses on the road to recovery.

The pandemic continues

Montana Nurses Association CEO Vicky Byrd also appeared on the call and thanked Tester for his work on this bill and others.

She said nurses across Montana agree that this package will bring relief to them and everyone in the state.

She said the mental stress is taking its toll on the nursing workforce, and limiting, rationing, reuse and decontamination of personal protective equipment is still common, and she hopes the American Rescue Plan will be a game-changer in that regard.

Despite this good news, Byrd said, the pandemic goes on.

"Nurses around the state are on the front lines fighting this pandemic. We are exhausted but resilient," she said.

She said about 11 percent of the state population 18 and older is vaccinated and everyone in the state who is eligible should get it as soon as possible.

"Trust the science and evidence just as we do when we care for you," she said.

Byrd said, regardless of state or local law, everyone should wear masks, social distance, practice good hand hygiene and follow public health guidelines until they change.

She said she applauds local governments that have implemented local mask mandates, especially with the various COVID-19 variants becoming more widespread.

She said mask mandates have been shown to reduce infections and hospitalization.

Tester thanked Byrd for her time and asked that everyone remain vigilant.

"It's better to be safe than be the last one in the state that dies of COVID," he said.

Questions and answers

When asked to respond to criticism from across the political isle, that the package was overkill he voiced his disagreement, particularly on enhanced unemployment.

"I think people want to get back to work," he said. "I've heard a lot of people say, 'The enhanced unemployment is keeping people from work,' and maybe in some cases it is, but I don't think it's a significant amount, quite frankly. I think what's keeping people from going to work is the fact that they don't have a vaccine in their arm and they're afraid they might get sick."

He said his own daughter is a teacher who desperately wants to go back to work, but is very apprehensive for fear of contracting the virus and spreading it.

When asked about his fellow Montana Sen. Steve Daines's objections to the package's size and scope, he said he's spoken to citizens of every political stripe and the vast majority say the government needs to do something to address the pandemic and the economic devastation in has caused.

He said the economists he's spoken with say without the package the economy would recover in four or five years, but investment now will pay off in increased tax revenue which will pay for the package.

Tester said the bill isn't by any means perfect in his eyes, and he would have made changes if he'd written it, but you can't always get what you want, and, overall it's a good bill.

Regarding the inclusion of attaching a raise in the federal minimum wage to the package he said he supports increasing the minimum wage, but because of Senate rules it would have been improper and lead to the bill's defeat.

"There are other folks that play games, but I try not to do that myself," he said.

When asked what he would do with the $1.25 billion Montana would receive directly he said he has lots of ideas, but infrastructure is at the top of the list, as well as generally patching up any holes in business relief.

Ultimately, he said, that is for Gov. Greg Gianforte to decide.

Tester also voiced his support for U.S. Director of the Interior Nominee Debra Haaland and said he intends to vote for her when the time comes, and suspects she will receive support from both Republicans and Democrats despite the objections of some.

"I think she's fit for the job," he said.