“The recent passage of the American Rescue Plan is good news for the North Country and I will do everything I can to be sure that this funding does not replace or supplement funding that the state has already promised to state and local governments, schools, and businesses. Since last year, I have been calling on our federal partners to pass a relief bill that would provide much-needed funding to our state and local governments, and I was pleased that aid to state and local governments was included in this bill. This bill will also provide funding for schools, vaccination rollout, and businesses including $28 billion to the hard hit restaurant industry; funding that they so desperately need to survive this pandemic, along with providing funding for struggling individuals and families including rental relief to help tenants and landlords alike. This additional federal aid is incredibly important for our region’s recovery and I am thankful that our federal partners passed this much needed aid.