By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Gov. Doug Ducey is beginning to dole out money that state lawmakers gave him to deal with COVID-19 before they went into recess.
A new report from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee finds that the state is allocating the biggest chunk of the first $55 million approved last month for medical supplies to treat the virus. That includes $10 million for ventilators, $8.5 million for masks, $500,000 for isolation gowns and $100,000 for hand sanitizer.
Related: Arizona lowers ventilator request as national stockpile dwindles
There’s another $3 million to purchase equipment and other supplies needed to process COVID-19 tests, both in the state’s own health laboratory and private labs.
The governor also is making $5.8 million directly available to counties and $1.2 million to tribes for local preparedness and response.
Cash is also going out to two organizations to help them expand childcare for parents working in essential services, with $2.4 million to the YMCA and $1.1 million to Boys and Girls Clubs.
And the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs will get $1.8 million for expenses related to activation of the Arizona National Guard and to run the State Emergency Operations Center.
