Lehigh Times

Gov. Tom Wolf and fellow Pennsylvania officials have called upon the General Assembly to use the $1.7 billion in unspent funds from the American Rescue Plan to assist the elderly and those with disabilities with property tax rebates while they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a release on March 24, the plan was originally proposed by Wolf in February and now he and legislators like Rep. Steve Samuelson and Sen. Maria Collett plan to bring it to the House and Senate respectively. The plan would send $204 million to Pennsylvanians for direct property tax relief. This is through the Property Tax Rent Rebate program, which is a one-time bonus rebate for people using the program. It would double existing rebates for about 466,000 resident that would receive an average additional rebate amounting to $475.

“As the cost of living continues to rise, lower-income residents, seniors, and disabled Pennsylvanians must not be left behind,” Sen. Collett said. “As the Democratic Chair of the Senate Aging & Youth Committee, I am pleased to work with Governor Wolf to introduce legislation to bolster the already-popular Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and get more federal relief funds to the Pennsylvanians who need it most.“

Gov. Wolf said that it is known that many households across the state are still struggling to recover financially from the pandemic, which upended many facets of life. He said this is especially true for low-income households, which is why he has asked the General Assembly to act quickly in spending money that is not being used.

“By investing more money into the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, older Pennsylvanians and individuals with disabilities can stay in their homes,” Wolf said. “That money is sitting around, not helping anyone right now and at a time when the people of this commonwealth are hurting, that’s just wrong.”

Samuelson said that as the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits more than 400,000 seniors and people with disabilities each year. He pointed out that his office alone helps 800 people annually. He commended Gov. Wolf for proposing that the funds be used to help homeowners and renters this year.

“My legislation, if enacted, will double Property Tax/Rent Rebate payments this year,” Samuelson said.

Other parts of the governor’s plan includes $500 million toward the PA Opportunity program; $255 million for the Statewide Small Business Assistance Program; $325 million for the Pennsylvania Healthcare System that amounts to $250 million for long term recruitment and retention incentives, $40 million for mental health programs, $35 million for student loan forgiveness to include additional critical healthcare workers; and $450 million in investing in conservation recreation and preservation programs while also addressing climate change.

Bill Johnston-Walsh, the AARP Pennsylvania state director, said that everyone is paying more for just about everything in life these days, which includes things like prescription drugs, gas and housing. He said the inflation issue is hitting those with fixed incomes the hardest.

“The very purpose of the American Rescue Plan Act is to provide flexible, emergency funding for state and local governments to effectively respond to the negative economic impacts created by pandemic,” Johnston-Walsh said. “AARP Pennsylvania is pleased to support this critical investment of American Rescue Plan Act dollars to support Property Tax Rent Rebate Program beneficiaries.”