The Arizona Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey fast-tracked an emergency measure Thursday allocating up to $55 million to the Arizona Department of Health Services to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The bill, approved unanimously in the House and Senate, provides an immediate $5 million infusion. It also sets aside up to $50 million more for state health director Dr. Cara Christ to use at her discretion between now and June 30.
“I am also pleased that we have erred on the side of over-appropriation, because, with something like this, you can never be too safe,” said house member John Kavanagh.
The money comes from the state’s billion-dollar “rainy day” fund, money set aside to help respond to emergencies as well as offset any volatility in state revenue.
