A stimulating conversation
Many Mid-michigan families are receiving $1,400 stimulus checks. They do not consider the recovery package “excessive.” The $1.9 trillion COVID relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act is welcome respite to most among us. Of this $242 billion are for the payments to individuals. Across the nation about ninety million will receive the check for $1400 added to the December act that added $600. The money will be used to pay the most essential bills and purchase necessities. This will help revive the economy.
State, local and tribal governments receive $350 billion in federal aid. Another $7.25 billion would be added to the Paycheck Protection Program for loans to small businesses. This will allow many shops to remain open, some that have closed to reopen and new businesses to start up. The plan includes $15 billion to create a new grant program for small business owners.
Unemployment aid is increased from $300 to $400 for those who have Enhanced unemployment aid exhausted their regular state jobless payments and in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides benefits to the self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers and certain people affected by the pandemic through March.
The plan would provide $25 billion in rental assistance for low- and moderate-income households who have lost positions during the pandemic. Another $5 billion helps pay their utility bills.
The plan extends the federal eviction moratorium to September 30, as well as allows people with federally guaranteed mortgages to apply for leniency until then. It extends the 15% increase in food stamp benefits through September and authorizes $3 billion to help women, infants and children secure food, and gives U.S. territories $1 billion in nutrition assistance.
There is a $25 billion emergency fund plus $15 billion added to an existing grant program to help childcare providers, including family child care homes, to pay for rent, utilities, and payroll, and increased costs associated with the pandemic It also expands the child-care tax credit for one year.
Further, Congress will provide $4 billion for mental health and substance use disorder services and $20 billion to meet the health care needs of veterans. There is an additional $170 billion to K-12 schools, colleges and universities to help them reopen and operate safely or to facilitate remote learning.
There is a $35 billion investment for state, local, tribal, and non-profit financing programs that make low-interest loans and provide venture capital to entrepreneurs, and $350 billion to state, local and territorial governments to keep their frontline workers employed, distribute the vaccine, increase testing, reopen schools and maintain vital services. $20 billion goes to public transit agencies to help avert layoffs and reduced service.
There is $20 billion for increased supplies, distribution and inoculations of the various vaccines. There is $50 billion in testing, purchase of rapid tests, expand lab capacity and helping schools implement regular testing to support reopening.
Trumpublican response has been: “Way too much money! Most is not pandemic related. Lots of waste. People will cheat. It’ll lead to inflation. Jobs will be lost. Damn socialism. (I want the funds for my district.)”
The Act is a down payment. More relief is sure to come.
It is all related to problems caused by the COVID-19 epidemic brushed off by the previous administration. Nearly 6 million Americans have already died. Some red states have opened prematurely. A new wave is likely.
Those who will benefit have had enough malarkey. The last administration did little to help them and they realize it. They will remember in 2022 at the midterms. They will vote for those who help rather than those who hinder.