Keystone Today

Governor Tom Wolf released a statement Wednesday praising President Joe Biden for his work with the American Rescue Plan investments following an announcement of an additional $40 billion in funds to help strengthen the nation’s workforce.

The governor participated in the American Rescue Plan Workforce Summit on Wednesday at the White House. He spoke about how ARPA funding helped the recovery process in Pennsylvania in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In Pennsylvania, we used the ARPA funds to address specific needs and issues in numerous industries. Addressing these needs provided targeted relief that plugged numerous economic holes and kept Pennsylvanians on their feet," Wolf said. 

"Our ARPA investments have helped to stabilize frontline industries including child care, health care, and long term care in Pennsylvania. We have put millions of dollars into health care to improve retention and ease recruitment, increase pay for workers, and support education to ensure we continue to have a pipeline of talented professionals ready to take on jobs in these crucial fields in the years to come.”

Wolf said that he has made it a priority to invest in the commonwealth’s workforce, and he praised Biden for commiserating. He said the pandemic has impacted every industry, ranging from international companies to small businesses.

"The landmark American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was an essential part of our commonwealth’s plan to support essential industries through the pandemic and help stabilize our workforce for a strong economic recovery,” Wolf said. “I’m grateful that we’ll have the opportunity to invest even further in our workforce thanks to the president’s latest commitment.”

Investments through ARPA funding include $90 million in child care stabilization and $20 million for businesses that are “historically disadvantaged,” according to the statement.

Wolf signed a bill last week that was part of the approved 2022-23 state budget that instructed the use of more state ARPA funds to help skilled nursing facilities. Funds will also be used to prepare for regulatory changes that are designed to lead to better hours and pay that also includes a higher quality of care for residents.