We’ve all seen the signs on the highway when road construction is taking place. Well, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is designed to put lots of tax dollars to work stimulating the economy.
The Act is approximately 800 pages and covers a wide array of topics. There is money for established federal programs, such as unemployment and Medicaid. There is stabilization money to help states balance their budgets and then there are competitive grants that will do things like bring broadband access to rural areas or weatherize houses.
The intent is to get money moving through the economy and create jobs.
In March, I was at my sorority conference when our international president asked how many people in the audience had read the Act. A handful of people raised their hands. I put mine up halfway because I have a copy in my office. I’ve skimmed it because my boss is the “Stimulus Czar” for Missouri.
On my drive home, the wheels in my brain started to turn. I suggested to the sorority that we sponsor a presentation on the Act so that everyday folks could have it broken down into digestible bites. I then approached my boss, who agreed.
We invited the other Greek letter organizations and the NAACP to join us in sponsoring the event. So this Thursday in Jefferson City, Kelvin Simmons, Commissioner of the State of Missouri’s Office of Administration, will give a presentation on how Missouri is using these dollars.
We’ll be in the Teleconference Room of the Inman Page Library on the campus of Lincoln University, a historically black college with a phenomenal story of its own.
Come join us - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; and the NAACP. We hope to see you there.
