The legislature of Orange County, New York, unanimously passed a revised spending plan of close to $75 million in federal COVID-19 dollars on Mar. 2. 
The money was allocated to the county under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)—a $1.9 trillion federal pandemic stimulus package signed into law two years ago. 
By law, the funds can be used in four primary ways: to replace lost government revenue, respond to the health and economic impacts brought by the pandemic, provide premium pay for essential workers, and invest in infrastructure such as water, sewer, and broadband. 
The county’s revised spending plan focuses on buildings, technology infrastructure, and staff salaries. …