Money for state: A breakdown of funds coming to California in stimulus package.
WASHINGTON — Cash is about to flow west from Congress to California, as tens of billions of dollars in the coronavirus stimulus bill will go to the state, local governments, schools and households.
Democrats’ $1.9 trillion stimulus package is expected to win final passage in the House on Wednesday and be signed into law by President Biden soon thereafter. Here is some of what will come to California:
Billions for state and local governments: A total of $42.6 billion will go to governments in California, according to House Democrats’ calculations. That includes roughly $26 billion for the state plus $550 million for capital projects, $8.3 billion for cities and noncounty jurisdictions, and $7.6 billion for counties.
San Francisco will get $630 million, which will go a long way to addressing its nearterm budget deficit. Oakland will receive up to $192 million and Alameda County will get $324 million. San Jose will get $223 million, as will Contra Costa County.
Money for education: The state will get an estimated $15 billion for K12 education, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis. Some of that must be spent on certain purposes, including learning loss, summer enrichment and afterschool programs. Roughly $174 million will go to nonpublic schools. The state will also get an estimated $5 billion for colleges and universities, much of which must go to financial aid.
Child care assistance: California will get an estimated $3.7 billion to help with child care costs, according to the Congressional Research Service. The state will also receive $100 million for Head Start programs.
Housing aid: According to Democrats’ estimates, $2 billion will go to California for emergency rental assistance. The bill also will send money for homelessness assistance and a new homeowner assistance fund, but full breakdowns weren’t yet available. The office of Sen. Alex Padilla, DCalif., estimated California would get $1.2 billion for homeowners and $590 million to address homelessness.
Public transit: The bill includes billions for transit agencies, which have seen cratering ridership and greater expenses. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission estimates that more than $1.6 billion will come to the Bay Area, most of which will go to San Francisco and Oakland. While $140 million for a planned BART extension to San Jose was axed from the bill , other area construction projects will get extra money, including one to expand capacity in the Transbay Tube.
Money to Californians:
The bill includes another round of direct stimulus payments to Americans. The nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that 22 million adults and 9 million children in California will benefit from the $1,400 checks. The bill also expands the child tax credit from $2,000 per year to $3,000 for children over the age of 6 and $3,600 for those under 6, subject to income caps. The institute estimates the expansion will benefit nearly 8 million adults and nearly 9 million children in the state. For lowincome Californians without children, the bill expands the Earned Income Tax Credit. The institute estimates nearly 2.7 million adults in the state will get more money.
Nutrition assistance: Californians receiving benefits under the food stamp program will also see more under the bill. According to the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the 4 millionplus Californians enrolled in the program will receive an average of $27 more per month.