New bonus incentive checks of $ 2,000 and $ 1,500 proposed in the state for households earning $ 80,000 or less

LITTLEBURG LAWYERS were urged by Gov. Tom Wolf to spend the more than $ 2 billion of unused U.S. rescue plan money sent to Pennsylvania.

Wolf hopes some of the money will go back to Pennsylvania households in the form of a $ 2,000 stimulus check.

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One-time checks would be similar to those of a former president Donald Trump and president Joe Biden pushed at the height of the pandemic, but at the state level.

Wolf is also pushing for the same to be done with unused emergency supplies in Harrisburg.

“Working families have been extended. Their wallets have been stretched to the limit. With the recent dramatic price increases, they have actually been stretched beyond their limits, “Wolf said at a press conference on Thursday.

Under his plan, Wolf said households with incomes of $ 80,000 or less would be able to receive a check from the Pennsylvania Treasury of up to $ 2,000.

He called on Republican lawmakers who currently control the State House and Senate, arguing that he is not touching on emergency funds or the current budget, but rather unused federal pandemic money.

The money must be spent by 2024, otherwise it is lost, Wolf said.

“We have to send it back to Washington if we do not use it, and right now it’s time to use it, ”he said.

Wolf stressed that families across the state are “being put in a really tight spot.”

“The good news is, we can actually help right now.”

With the Pennsylvania Opportunity Plan, households earning $ 50,000 or less can receive a one-time check for $ 2,000. Households with incomes between $ 50,000 and $ 80,000 would receive $ 1,500.

State Senator Tina Tartaglione, the author of the bill, said the money could be spent on anything.

“Childcare and after-school care, education and training of the workforce, rental or mortgage assistance, home repairs, transportation and filling of the gas tank, broadband and utilities and medical bills,” she said, adding that it could also help local businesses.

“The money goes directly back to the local economy. The companies that had to be picked up, the money will go directly into the economy and will encourage some of the companies to be able to come back.

Republicans, however, control the state legislature. Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward said she has only recently heard of the idea and wants to learn more about the details.

If the checks are approved, they will come directly from the Treasury and will not be taxed as income.

OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

Delaware lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill that would provide payments of up to $600 payments to thousands of eligible residents.

The state announced that the funds will be given to residents of Delaware who filed a tax return for 2020.

Individuals will receive $ 300, while married couples applying jointly will receive $ 600.

Senior citizens and residents who have not earned enough money to file a tax return are also eligible.

The one-off payments are intended to help offset rising living costs and inflation.

The bill was signed by Governor John Carney on Thursday.

“Delaware families are dealing with higher costs at the grocery store and the gas station,” Carney said.

“Every taxpayer I’ve ever talked to expects us to manage their money in a way that is responsible and sustainable in the long run.

“These direct payments to Delaware families are part of a broader, responsible budget proposal that will invest in education, our economy and the Delaware community and increase our reserves to prepare our state for the future.”

Funds are expected to be delivered to residents who have already submitted 2020 personal tax returns by the end of May, lawmakers said.

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