WFFT: Indiana Democrats launch American Rescue Plan Tour in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: “County, city, schools all get money”
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated the successful launch of its American Rescue Plan Tour, a statewide campaign that’ll deliver the good news about President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief package and how it’s helping all of Indiana’s 92 counties and its communities put the pandemic firmly in the rearview mirror. Former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, Indiana House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, and Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry spoke with over 50 Hoosiers at the Allen County Courthouse about the Rescue Plan’s direct contribution to Fort Wayne and Allen County communities — which includes approximately $73 million for Allen County, $50 million for Fort Wayne, $3 million for New Haven, and $130 million for schools in Allen County.
Hoosiers also learned how not one Indiana Republican elected official voted to support the Rescue Plan despite the law delivering $5.8 billion in relief to the state, Indiana’s schools receiving $2 billion in aid, and more than $250 million being used to expand broadband internet access across Indiana.
Here’s what Hoosiers in northeast Indiana saw overnight about President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and the Indiana Democratic Party’s upcoming American Rescue Plan tour:
WFFT: Indiana Democrats launch American Rescue Plan Tour in Fort Wayne
“Mayor Tom Henry said he wants to use the money to invest in small businesses, education, childcare and broadband access.
All of these are within the guidelines of the federal government.”
WANE: Fort Wayne mayor, ex-Senator Donnelly launch ‘American Rescue Plan Tour’ in Fort Wayne
WPTA: Indiana Democrats launch statewide tour to give details on COVID-19 relief package
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Leaders explain how relief cash will be spent
“County, city, schools all get money
Broadband, small business and child care will be among the areas to benefit from American Rescue Plan coronavirus relief dollars in Allen County, Democratic officials said Thursday.
Mayor Tom Henry, state Rep. Phil GiaQuinta and former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly met with about 50 people outside of the Courthouse on Thursday to discuss how the American Rescue Plan will benefit northeast Indiana. It was the kickoff for the American Rescue Plan Tour, in which Democratic leaders will travel the state to talk about the plan’s funds.
Each leader had time to share what they wanted about the unprecedented funding coming to Indiana, using the phrase of leaving the pandemic “in the rearview mirror.” Donnelly said it is important to recognize what the funding is – investing in people and investing in the future.
People then had the opportunity to pose questions to the officials. Leaders talked about issues for people in rural areas having access to broadband. One citizen asked about broadband access in a more urban area – southeast Fort Wayne.
Henry recognized that there are pockets of southeast Fort Wayne that don’t have broadband, and he said he’s working with the Allen County commissioners, who he said are using a “significant” portion of the county’s allocation on broadband expansion.”
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