Locals are happy to see more relief coming up
Checks from Biden's bill could go out as soon as this weekend
More relief is finally on its way. President Biden on Thursday signed into law his $1.9 trillion relief package, a historic piece of legislation the president says will help the United States finally defeat the coronavirus and help bring back the economy. Some checks to Americans could go out as soon as this weekend.
Republicans, who stood united in their opposition to the bill, say the measure is too expensive, will add to the federal deficit and might discourage people from working. Supporters say the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and economic struggles, particularly of middle and low-income households who suffered job losses, call for major assistance from the federal government.
On Thursday, Vallejoans had mixed but mostly positive reactions to the bill’s signing.
“I think what this shows is that there is a president now that cares about the dire consequences and situations that people are in across the country,” Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell told the Times-Herald on Thursday. “This stimulus check will go to people under a certain amount of yearly income ($75,000) and the thinking is that these people will put the funds back into the economy and that will help it. It will only help us and be a big assistance to the small businesses, however, if they spend that money locally.”
Vallejoans say they will spend the money on different things to help their situation.
“It’s going to my student loans,” said Michael McMillan on Twitter. “Luckily I’ve been able to keep my job this past year. If I had lost my job, this $1,400 wouldn’t even be enough for one month’s rent.”
Laura Hays Marquez said on the Times-Herald Facebook page that she will be “paying my federal income tax with it.” On the same page, Alexander Aniciete Karaan said, “Good for everyone. Enjoy it.”
The bill provides a direct payment of $1,400 for a single taxpayer, or $2,800 for a married couple filing jointly, and an additional $1,400 per dependent — meaning $5,600 for a family of four. But not everyone gets the money. Married couples with adjusted gross incomes up to $150,000 a year are eligible for the full amount, and individuals with adjusted gross incomes up to $75,000 a year are eligible for the full amount.
Above that, the size of the payments is reduced for individuals earning between $75,000 and $80,000. And there are no payments for individuals earning above $80,000 a year. Similarly, there are partial payments for couples earning between $150,000 and $160,000, with no money for couples earning above $160,000.
To qualify for the payment, you must be a U.S. resident with a Social Security number. The IRS is expected to deposit the checks in people’s accounts by the end of this month. If you do not have direct deposit set up with the IRS for filing your taxes, the IRS will mail you a check. You do not need to apply or stand in line to receive the money.
Some, like Facebook’s VangeloAbegailmay Arroyo, welcomed the checks, but with reservations.
“This is just my opinion as a taxpayer,” Arroyo said. “It is OK that Biden is helping with giving stimulus, but it should be for everyone. Since this pandemic started we are affected, too, with furlough, but we are not qualified with stimulus. But it doesn’t mean we don’t need that help.”
The House approved raising the minimum wage nationally to $15, but that provision, pushed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, failed in the Senate. A separate bill to raise the minimum wage by a lower amount, perhaps to $11 or $12 nationally, is expected later this year. California’s minimum wage already is $12 an hour and required to rise to $15 under state law by 2023.
“I won’t get it,” said chriskgrant on Twitter. “I think the payment and UI supplement are much better than nothing, although certainly wish they had been higher and that the package had included the $15/hr minimum wage and more relief/protections for renters.”
“No amount is enough. Only a job is enough,” said Hellacious Seeds on Twitter, who also admitted that he still has a job, won’t qualify for the stimulus and doesn’t believe he should receive one.
Vallejo Economic Development Director Paul Kelley released a statement to the Times-Herald, calling the stimulus a “positive move toward reviving our economy.”
“Vallejo is no different than most of the country, where the pandemic has brought economic hardships to many of our hardworking citizens, with some losing their jobs and others unable to keep their businesses fully staffed during this health crisis,” said Kelley. “Vallejoans are strong and resilient and with every day that passes it feels as though the light at the end of the tunnel is within reach for our residents and local businesses. This federal bill will positively impact our residents and businesses during this time of economic recovery.”
The $1,400 is on top of $600 approved by a bill signed in December by former President Trump and passed with large bipartisan majorities.
The bill provides $30 billion to help low-income households and the unemployed pay their rent and utility bills and $10 billion homeowners who are having difficulty making mortgage payments due to the pandemic.
There are also expanded tax credits for people with children, which economists say should reduce childhood poverty in the United States.
In addition to unemployment benefits that people already are receiving through their state unemployment programs, this bill continues to expand unemployment benefits by $300 a week through Sept. 6.