Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) has proposed a $1.7 billion action plan that would use unspent funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to help the elderly and people with disabilities across the state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 24, he was joined by State Rep. Steve Samuelson (D-Bethlehem) and other officials in calling upon the Republican-led General Assembly to move forward with the plan.

The plan was originally proposed in February, and Wolf continues to push for the funds to be used to help residents get back on their feet and help the state get back on the economic track as a whole. Wolf said the he knows many Pennsylvania households are recovering financially from the pandemic, and this can be exceptionally burdensome for low-income households.

“Today I am again asking the General Assembly to spend the federal funding that is still sitting, unused, to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians,” Wolf said, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “By investing more money into the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, older Pennsylvanians and individuals with disabilities can stay in their homes. That money is sitting around, not helping anyone right now, and at a time when the people of this commonwealth are hurting, that’s just wrong.”

Samuelson plans to introduce the plan in the House, and State Sen. Maria Collett (D-Lower Gwynedd) will do so in the Senate.

“As the cost of living continues to rise, lower-income residents, seniors and disabled Pennsylvanians must not be left behind,” Collett said, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website.

The plan would use $204 million for direct property tax relief through the Property Tax Rent Rebate program for a one-time rebate for those using the program. This would double existing rebates for about 466,000 residents, giving them an additional average rebate amounting to $475.

“The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits seniors and people with disabilities with more than 400,000 people receiving rebates each year,” Samuelson said, according to the governor's website. “My office alone helps about 800 people each year complete their rebate applications. I commend Gov. Wolf for proposing to use American Rescue Plan funds to bring additional relief to homeowners and renters in 2022. My legislation, if enacted, will double Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments this year.”

Wolf’s plan also provides for $500 million in the PA Opportunity Program, which provides relief to workers and families for child care and household expenses, as well as opportunities to complete a degree, credential or license to help them increase their income.

The plan also includes $225 million for the Statewide Small Business Assistance Program, involving grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been negatively affected by the pandemic. In 2020 there were more than $192 million in grants distributed to 10,000 small businesses statewide through that program, and this could help more than 11,000 small businesses and communities.

The Pennsylvania Healthcare System would receive $325 million, which includes $250 million for long-term care recruitment and retention incentives and workforce development initiatives, $40 million for behavioral health workforce to expand county mental health programs, and $35 million for expanding the student loan forgiveness program.

Wolf’s plan would also provide for $450 million toward investing in conservation recreation and preservation projects, as well as addressing climate change. 

Wolf was also joined by AARP State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh and Susan Phillips, who is the Fred B. Rooney Building Manager, to call for the General Assembly to act immediately.

“Everyone is paying more for nearly everything today, from prescription drugs to gas to housing, but the problem of inflation is hardest for those on fixed incomes,” Johnston-Walsh said, according to the governor's website. “The very purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act is to provide flexible, emergency funding for state and local governments to effectively respond to the negative economic impacts created by pandemic."