The Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf has gone ahead with plans to issue the $2B of the federal funds given to states under the American Rescue Plant Act. He said that part of the money will be given out as stimulus checks through direct deposit to residents of the state. He has named the proposal the ‘Pennsylvania Opportunity Plan.’
The Governor said that working families continued to be hurt, and their resources were sorely stretched due to the pandemic and the economic downturn that has continued to plague the nation.
The Governor plans to support families that are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The stimulus check is expected to cover expenses linked to the pandemic and help families better cope with the high living costs as inflation rates touch a 40-year-high.
People Eligible For The Pennsylvania Stimulus Check
Governor Wolf plans to send a stimulus check to residents of Pennsylvania with a household income of less than $80,000. While households with an income between $50,000 and $80,000 will receive a stimulus check of $1,500 while those earning $50,000 and less will get a $2,000 check.
If the lawmakers of the state concur with the governor, the stimulus check would start being issued from the treasury. The Pennsylvania state stimulus check will not be taxable.
The total expense layout for the proposal comes to around $1.7B and includes $225M to support small businesses. The healthcare system of Pennsylvania will get $325M while $204 has been earmarked as relief for property tax. $450M will be allocated for the preservation, conservation, and revival of state communities.
The governor’s rationale is that the money will boost the state economy in various ways.
Speaking at a gathering, Governor Wolf said that residents of the state should not be forced to make the grim choice between groceries, gas, or childcare. He said that the state had the resources to ensure that people are not left wanting. He appealed to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania to unite, cutting across party lines for the sake of the state.
