Lehigh Times

Gov. Tom Wolf and Rep. Carol Hill-Evans recently visited Schaefer Flowers in York, where they discussed Wolf's proposed $1.7 billion spending plan that, if approved by the legislature, would provide direct relief to the state's businesses, communities and families.

Wolf's plan includes $225 million to recapitalize the Small Business Assistance Program that was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent press release from the governor's office said. In 2020 more than 10,000 businesses received a total of $192 million through the program, including $50,000 that went to Schaefer Flowers. If the plan is passed, it could support another 11,000 small businesses statewide.

"This is a 124-year-old family business and this grant was a lifeline to us," Chris Sallade, CEO of Schaefer Flowers, said in the release. "While the COVID-19 pandemic is ending, all small businesses are still struggling in some way."

Wolf's plan is for the General Assembly to approve the usage of unspent funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. He has made a continual push to do this, and local legislators have plans to bring it to the House and Senate.

"The 95th legislative district has seen an increase in small business growth during the pandemic," Rep. Hill-Evans (D-York) said in the release. "Assistance from the commonwealth gave small businesses a boost to carry through, but more can be done. I hope my colleagues will support reopening the program for those who are still struggling with COVID-related debt, furloughs and other issues."

The plan would also help with $500 million for direct payments to residents in need; $204 million for direct property tax relief; $325 million for the health care system; and $450 million for conservation, preservation and revitalization of the state's communities, the release said. The funds must be used by Dec. 31, 2024, or they will be returned to the federal government.

Wolf is calling upon the Republican-led General Assembly to act quickly and approve the plan so Pennsylvanians in need can benefit.

"We are sitting on more than $2 billion that could help Pennsylvania thrive, despite the increasing costs we face every day," Wolf said in the release. "Pennsylvania's small businesses power our economy, they're owned by our neighbors, and we need them to succeed. I'm asking my Republican colleagues to act now. Let's get this money out of our coffers and to the businesses that we all rely on every day."