Northhampton News

Gov. Tom Wolf and several legislators gathered this week to discuss the reintroduction of the PA Opportunity Program, which would send $2,000 direct payments to Pennsylvanians trying to recover from the pandemic.

In February, Wolf proposed $1.7 billion from the state’s $2 billion in American Rescue Plan Act money to fund the program, an Aug. 2 press release from the governor’s office said. State Senate and House Democrats introduced the legislation but the funds were not appropriated by the Republican-led General Assembly.

“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 in the release. “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.”

Rep. David Delloso (D-Delaware) and state Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) submitted co-sponsorship memos in the House and Senate, where they spoke about their intention to reintroduce the legislation that would send $2,000 payments to those in households making $80,000 or less.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on Pennsylvanians. It is time we step up to help Pennsylvanians now,” Delloso said in the release. “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 noted that in April she and Wolf announced their plan to send $2,000 direct payments to help people bounce back from the pandemic and also help with inflated costs. 

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

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

Williams said the funds would have a “real impact” on families, noting that prices are currently high in every aspect, and the proposal will help people get back on their feet.

“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,” Williams said. “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.”

“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.