LINCOLN- State lawmakers, following a daylong hearing, tweaked the Appropriations Committee’s spending proposal for the state’s allotment of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Their 41-1 vote moved the package of about 40 projects and initiatives to the second round of legislative debate.

Changes adopted Wednesday included a $20 million infusion for construction of mental health treatment and education facilities, on top of $20 million Appropriations had already recommended. State Sen. John Arch of La Vista pushed for the extra funding. He said COVID-19 has only added to mental health problems.

Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil championed an amendment that senators adopted calling for $10 million to help cover college debt for rural health care workers and nursing students.

Lawmakers also supported a $7 million request from Sen. Tim Gragert of Creighton for drinking water system infrastructure benefiting at least four rural communities.

And Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha garnered enough support for an amendment that now directs all $150 million of a fund for job training and business development to North and South Omaha. Before Wednesday, a third of that money would have been open to applications from low-income census tracts statewide.

Several other funding amendments failed to secure approval from the Legislature, including a request by Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue to provide bonuses for teachers. She chastised colleagues, saying they valued sewers over educators.

Speaker Mike Hilgers asked that any senators requesting changes suggest spending reductions in other areas. Blood had suggested cutting some funds from a sewer project at the state fairgrounds in Grand Island.

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