Senator Sean Ryan Praises Senate And House Majorities For Delivering Critical Funding For Western New York With American Rescue Plan

SENATOR SEAN RYAN PRAISES SENATE AND HOUSE MAJORITIES FOR DELIVERING CRITICAL FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK WITH AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

Democratic-Led U.S. Congress Passes $1.9 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Plan To Provide Much-Needed Relief To Struggling Americans; Local Governments In Eight Counties of Western New York Alone Will Receive Nearly $1 Billion In Federal Aid

BUFFALO – Today, March 10, 2021, New York State Senator Sean Ryan commended Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Brian Higgins for their work to deliver much-needed financial assistance to Western New York through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

In total, the American Rescue Plan will deliver nearly $930 million in direct aid to municipalities in the eight counties of Western New York. The eight county governments of Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, and Allegany will receive nearly $294 million, and more than $635.5 million will be delivered to the municipalities within these counties. In addition, the American Rescue Plan will deliver $12.6 billion in direct aid to the State of New York, $358 million to build out broadband infrastructure, and more than $30 billion to New York State agencies and authorities.

Senator Sean Ryan said “The pandemic has unended our way of life. More than 527,000 Americans have lost their lives, including 48,000 New Yorkers. In addition, the economic fallout from the pandemic has cost millions of jobs and shuttered small businesses across the country. As the vaccine rollout continues, we know there is light at the end of the tunnel. The American Rescue Plan will accelerate our economic recovery with much needed federal financial assistance and bold solutions to the problems facing our country. I thank Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Brian Higgins for their hard work to deliver much needed assistance to Western New York and New York State.”

More than $412 million will be allocated directly to the cities and towns comprising New York’s 60th State Senate District:

●    City of Buffalo: $350,050,000
●    City of Tonawanda: $1,620,000
●    Town of Brant: $230,000
●    Town of Evans: $1,770,000
●    Town of Grand Island: $2,350,000
●    Town of Hamburg: $10,440,000
●    Town of Orchard Park: $3,250,000
●    Town of Tonawanda: $42,410,000

The American Rescue Plan also provides significant funding in a variety of areas to boost the economy, extend unemployment insurance, ramp up vaccine distribution, and assist small businesses, Native American communities, and veterans.

Direct Financial Assistance
The American Rescue Plan provides low- and moderate-income households with recovery checks composed of $1,400 direct payments per adult and an additional $1,400 per dependent. It also extends enhanced unemployment benefits, increased SNAP benefits, and the supplemental unemployment benefit of $300 per week. In addition, it adds $40 billion in rental, homeowner, and homelessness assistance.

Relief for Working Families
By significantly expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, the American Rescue Plan will put money directly into the pockets of low- and moderate-income workers and families. Strengthening the Child Tax Credit alone is expected to lift nearly 10 million children out of poverty.

Support for Small Business
The American Rescue Plan provides funding for a variety of programs to support small businesses. This includes $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $15 billion for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loans, $25 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and $10 billion for the State Small Business Credit Initiative to help small businesses grow and create jobs.

COVID-19 Response
Billions of dollars will be committed to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. This includes $50 billion for testing, contact tracing, and manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE), $20 billion for improving vaccine administration and distribution, and $10 billion for the Defense Production Act to procure essential PPE and other medical equipment.

Safely Reopening Schools
The American Rescue Plan will provide $170 billion of support to help educational institutions reopen safely for in-person learning and address students’ needs. This includes $130 billion for K-12 schools and $40 billion for institutions of higher education.

Helping our Veterans
The plan provides critical support for our nation’s veterans, providing $13.5 billion in funding to the Veterans Health Administration for health care services and prohibiting copayments for medical care for veterans during the pandemic. Nearly $400 million will be committed to help get unemployed veterans back to work by funding up to 12 months of rapid retraining assistance and a housing allowance.

Backing Native Communities
The American Rescue Plan provides more than $31 billion to Native American communities, including $20 billion to help Tribal governments to combat COVID-19. It is the single largest infusion of dedicated resources to Native communities in U.S. history and delivers immediate relief for hard-hit Native American families and Tribal businesses.

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