WASHINGTON DC –
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan’s (D-ND) call for the economic stimulus package moving through Congress to include substantial investments in Indian Country is reflected in legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today.
The goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are to create jobs and to invest in national infrastructure. “Nowhere in this nation are jobs and construction improvements more needed than on American Indian reservations. Tribal communities suffer 50% unemployment rates and longstanding construction needs,” Dorgan said.
To address these concerns, the bill includes more than $2.8 billion in improvements for Indian health services, education, roads and bridges, water, public safety, and housing. Dorgan is Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and also member of the Appropriations Committee that approved the legislation today. He noted many of the projects are “ready to go,” and only await funding. “They also have the advantage, in many cases, of being investments that will not only put people to work right away, but that will provide a big boost to local economies once they are completed.”
Earlier this month, Dorgan, joined by 14 other Senators from both parties, urged then President-elect Obama to include substantial investments in Indian Country as part of the economic stimulus bill. He then worked to include them in legislation being drafted by Congress as well.
Following is an outline of funding aimed at creating jobs and boosting economic activity included in the legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday.
INDIAN HEALTH CARE
- Indian Health Facilities – $410 million
- New construction – $135 million
- Maintenance and repairs – $155 million
- Sanitation Facilities – $100 million
- Medical Equipment – $20 million
- Indian Health Services – $135 million
- Contract health care – $50 million
- Health Information Technology activities – $85 million
PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE
- Department of Justice Grants (DOJ) – $300 million
- Indian Jails construction – $250 million
- Tribal courts program – $25 million
- Indian Alcohol Recovery program – $25 million
- BIA Indian Jails repair (Interior) – $25 million
INDIAN SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
- Tribal and BIA new schools construction – $132 million
- Tribal and BIA schools repair and improvement – $35 million
- BIA School Modernization (Dept. of Education) – $160 million
TRIBAL ROADS AND BRIDGES
- BIA roads improvement – $150 million
- Indian Reservation Roads (DOT) – $320 million
- Tribal Transit Set-Aside (DOT) – $16.8 million
INDIAN WATER PROJECTS
- Bureau of Reclamation Tribal Water Projects – $274 million (approximate)
- BIA irrigation construction and repair – $40 million
- BIA dams improvement – $25 million
- Safe Drinking and Clean Water Revolving Funds – $120 million (the language “permits” the Secretary to fund the tribal set-aside under these revolving funds)
INDIAN HOUSING
- Indian Housing block grants (HUD) – $510 million
- BIA Housing Improvement Program – $20 million
OTHER
- Indian Reservation Food Distribution (USDA) – $5 million
- BIA major facilities improvement and repair – $115 million
- BIA workforce training – $20 million
- Tribal Community Development Financial Institutions (Treasury) – $20 million
- Indian Loan Guarantee Program (Interior) – $10 million