Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf, Rep. David Delloso (D-Delaware) and Pennsylvania community members recently discussed reintroducing the PA Opportunity Program, which would send $2,000 stimulus checks to Pennsylvania residents.

In February, Wolf proposed a $1.7 billion plan as part of the state’s $2 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to a press release from Wolf’s office. Democrats in the Senate and House introduced the legislation, but the General Assembly, which has a Republican majority, did not appropriate funding for the program.

“I first proposed the PA Opportunity Program back in February, but Republican leaders in the General Assembly just wouldn’t get on board with funding it in this year’s budget,” Wolf said. “However, as I’ve traveled the commonwealth, I’ve heard directly from so many people about how much this program would mean to them and their families. I’m not going to stop fighting until the people of Pennsylvania get the help they need and deserve.”

Delloso and state Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) submitted co-sponsorship memos in the House and Senate, expressing the intent to reintroduce the legislation, the release stated. The new program would send up to $2,000 in direct payments to Pennsylvania householders who make $80,000 or less annually.

The payments will help Pennsylvania families, many of which are still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Delloso said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on Pennsylvanians,” Delloso said. “It is time we step up to help Pennsylvanians now. That is why I am introducing updated legislation to create the PA Opportunity Program, which would make direct payments of up to $2,000 to Pennsylvania households. This program, which is expected to help at least 250,000 households across Pennsylvania, is needed now more than ever to help workers and families recover economically from the pandemic and assist them in affording childcare, education and training, and basic household expenses.”

Tartaglione joined Wolf in April to announce their plan to support the payments.

“The PA Opportunity Program along with hundreds of other pieces of Democrat sponsored legislation like minimum wage reform would have an immediate and lasting impact on Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens,” Tartaglione said. “To ensure a truly equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure we are lifting from the bottom, not raising up the top.”

“The majority party in the legislature has shown they are willing to pass pro-business legislation like lowering the Corporate Net Income Tax, now with just 10 scheduled session days remaining this year for the PA Senate, we still have the opportunity to pass meaningful legislation that will dramatically help our constituents,” she added.

State Senators Tim Kearney and Anthony Williams, as well as Folcroft Council President, Joe Papaleo, also spoke in favor of the PA Opportunity Program.

“The slow growth from the Great Recession taught us we can’t have top-down approaches – we need a bottom-up recovery that gives everyone a piece of the pie,” Kearney said in the release.

Williams added that the funds would have a “real impact” on families. He acknowledged that prices are high in every aspect now, and this proposal will help people get back on their feet.

“We know prices are high across the board,” Williams said. “Gas, food, and utilities all cost more, and those who are struggling most are working families who are just trying to meet the everyday needs of their children and households. The PA Opportunity Program will put money directly into the pockets of people who have been hit hardest by the economic effects of COVID-19 and inflation, giving them some reprieve and support.”