Erie County Times

Gov. Tom Wolf and fellow legislators recently discussed the reintroduction of the PA Opportunity Program, which would send $2,000 direct payments to Pennsylvanians to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in a time of historic inflation.

In February, Wolf unveiled a $1.7 billion proposal that would use American Rescue Plan Act funds, a recent press release from the governor’s office said. Senate and House Democrats introduced legislation, but the Republican-led General Assembly failed to appropriate the requested funds. Wolf noted that although the newly approved state budget has major investments for working families, there is still plenty of work to do.

“People need help now, and we can afford to help them,” he said in the release. “Let’s put this cash back in the pockets of Pennsylvanians, to help cover the higher costs of gas, groceries, and everything else.”

If approved, payments would go to Pennsylvania households that make $80,000 or less for COVID-19 economic recovery and also to address inflation. Rep. David Delloso (D-Delaware) noted that the pandemic has taken a major toll on residents, and it is time to step up and help.

“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,” Delloso said in the release. “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.”

In April, Wolf and Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) announced a plan for the $2,000 checks to be distributed. She noted that the PA Opportunity Program, along with other legislation like minimum wage reform, would create an immediate and lasting impact for those most vulnerable. 

“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,” Tartaglione said in the release. “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 like raising the minimum wage and passing the PA Opportunity Program.”

Sens. Tim Kearney and Anthony Williams were joined by Folcroft Council President Joe Papaleo and other stakeholders in the Folcroft community to tout the program.

“The PA Opportunity Program will make our economic recovery from the pandemic more equitable, ensuring we don’t leave Pennsylvanians behind,” Kearney said in the release. “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.”

Williams noted that the money will have a “real impact” on families who are struggling to pay bills in areas like gas, food and utilities. 

“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,” he said in the release.