5 Things Alaska: ARPA funding proposal, Q&A w/Verné Boerner, Budget conversations DJ Wilson | Apr 21, 2021
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1. Proposal for $1.02 billion in ARPA funding
Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday released his allocation proposal for $1.02 billion in federal funds coming into Alaska through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The proposal includes $80 million for emergency response costs including $6 million toward addressing the domestic violence impacts of the pandemic, $150 million for tourism revitalization, and $325 million in infrastructure investments.
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Alaska Senate Passes Bill to Combat Opioid Overdose
JUNEAU – The Alaska Senate Wednesday unanimously passed a bill extending access to naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug.
Senate Bill 70 allows the chief medical officer of the Department of Health and Social Services to continue issuing a statewide standing order for the prescription of naloxone.
The chief medical officer currently has this authority; however, this authorization is set to sunset on June 31st, 2021. By removing the sunset date, local and regional overdose response programs, first responders, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, and the public will continue to have the ability to directly distribute and access the lifesaving drug.
1. Crum offers update on COVID-19 response
On Monday, DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum joined State of Reform Reporter Sydney Kurle for a conversation on Alaska’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of the expired public health disaster declaration, and the state’s behavioral health system. Crum also discussed the state’s vaccine rollout, where Alaska is the top-ranked state in terms of percent of the population to receive at least one shot (18%).
“For a state as big as we are, there are a lot of logistical challenges…We’ve had shots delivered by four-wheelers, dogsled, boats, and small airplanes. You name it we’ve used the tool to move vaccines around the state.” Crum says the key to a successful and equitable vaccine rollout is building partnerships and allowing flexibility across different areas of the state.