NYAPRS Note: According to Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, New York State will get over $100 billion in COVID relief aid from newly passed federal legislation. This should be more than enough to eliminate the previously budgeted 5% cut to community behavioral health and other related health services and should be sufficient to release the $22 million in Reinvestment funding and 1% Cost of Living Adjustment. House Democrats are expected to pass the final version of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package tomorrow. More details as we get them.
What Will New York Get From the $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill?
By Amy Yensi Spectrum News March 7, 2021
It is hard to find an industry in New York that has not been impacted by the pandemic, but the hardest-hit sectors and residents who need it most may soon get some help.
On Saturday, Senate Democrats passed their $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, if it passes the House, our region will get a large portion of the federal aid.
$360 billion in federal funding will be pumped directly into local and state governments, with New York receiving about $100 billion
“This is over $100 billion, a robust basket of aid for just about every aspect of New York that has been hurting from COVID-19. And I believe it will speed up our recovery. It will reduce the number of illnesses and deaths and it will get so many of our businesses, particularly smaller businesses, back on track,” said Schumer.
The massive stimulus bill, called the American Rescue Plan, includes more funding for healthcare institutions, restaurants and entertainment venues — like independent theaters. A whopping $360 billion dollars in federal funding will be pumped directly into local and state governments, with New York receiving $100 billion, including $12 billion for its schools alone.
“There is more aid than our mayor and governor asked for and that will be really good news for our city and state workers, who are so worried about layoffs,” said the Senate majority leader.
Schumer acknowledged that getting enough votes was not easy.
Democrats made several last-minute changes to win support from all of their members. Republicans opposed it, questioning the need for another major spending plan.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote this Tuesday.
Senator Schumer is confident that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has the votes, and that President Joe Biden will sign it into law some time this week.
What Will NY Get From $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill? (ny1.com)