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