By Sharon Aron Baron
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the stimulus plan — a package to address the health and economic costs of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill, also called the American Rescue Plan, authorizes stimulus checks up to $1,400 for most Americans, extends enhanced unemployment aid to millions still out of work, and makes major changes to the tax code to benefit families with children.
U.S. Representative Ted Deutch FL-22, who represents Parkland and Coral Springs, voted in favor of the plan and said Congress followed through on the promise to the American people with a transformative plan that puts money in their pockets and vaccines in their arms; to safely send children back to school and workers back to their jobs; to crush this virus and get Americans back on their feet.
“The American Rescue Plan is our commitment to the health and financial success of America’s working families,” he said.
Under the state and local assistance provisions, Florida will receive $10.232 billion; Metro cities in Florida will receive $1.465 billion. Other non-county jurisdictions will receive $1.397 billion; Counties will receive $4.165 billion. Coral Springs benefits with $19.8 million.
“Child poverty will be cut in half through an expanded child tax credit covering 27 million children. Seventeen million low-wage childless workers will benefit from an improved Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Rep. Deutch.
Forty million Americans will see a boost in nutrition assistance. An estimated 4.5 million Americans will gain health care coverage from expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies. Up to 2 million low-income Americans could benefit from states like Florida expanding Medicaid using this bill’s incentives.
Rep. Deutch stated the American Rescue Plan is strongly supported by many American people – including 60 percent of Republicans – bipartisan state and local leaders, national education groups, trade unions and advocacy organizations, and hundreds of businesses.
State and Local Assistance
Broward County: $378.73 million
Palm Beach County: $290.29 million
Miami-Dade County: $526.93 million
Boca Raton: $11.22 million
Boynton Beach: $14.91 million
Coconut Creek: $7.92 million
Coral Springs: $19.81 million
Deerfield Beach: $17.22 million
Delray Beach: $13.24 million
Fort Lauderdale: $39.60 million
Margate: $9.52 million
Pompano Beach: $26.00 million
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