Rep. Castor: Help is on the Way to Floridians

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement after the House passed the historic American Rescue Plan. The legislation is now headed to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law.

"The American Rescue Plan will put more shots in arms and more money in the pockets of our neighbors and small business owners who need it at this precarious time in the public health and economic crisis. Americans need a bridge to survive the pandemic, and this historic emergency aid package will help families put food on the table, keep Floridians on the job, lift children out of poverty with an expanded Child Tax Credit, operate schools safely and make up for lost ground for our students.

"Our neighbors across Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County Schools will receive an enormous boost from the American Rescue Plan -- larger than previous emergency aid provided by the CARES Act. Funds are estimated at $285 million for the county, $80 million for the City of Tampa and $500 million for Hillsborough County Public Schools. This substantial relief will provide rental assistance, keep the lights on in our critical public services, allocate grants to local businesses, and much more. I appreciate the close working relationship with local partners who have been good partners in keeping families afloat.

"Florida families will see $3,000 per child and $3,600 per child under six, with many families qualifying for monthly advance payments of the credit in the historic expansion of the Child Tax Credit. This is estimated to cut the child poverty rate in half, a transformational initiative to aid so many struggling families in the days ahead. There are over 3.8 million children in Florida who will benefit from this expansion.

"Importantly, the American Rescue Plan includes a 60-day deadline to for the State of Florida to send the $7 billion for Florida's K-12 to local districts, including Hillsborough County Public Schools. It is disappointing that it was necessary to include this provision, but Governor DeSantis and the state have unnecessarily delayed disbursing federal emergency aid that was approved by Congress back in December to local school districts. The Congress passed this legislation because urgent assistance is needed to keep schools operating safely, address summer school and keep educators on the job through the public health emergency. This directive will ensure funds are disbursed with the speed this situation requires.

"Thanks to President Biden, vaccine distribution is ramping up dramatically, such as at the federally-run Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) vaccination sites in the Tampa area. The American Rescue Plan provides funds for more vaccination sites like the one at Tampa Greyhound Track in Sulphur Springs for a longer period of time with an eye to hard-hit communities of color and everyday Floridians, not the governor's political donors, so that we can return to normal as soon as possible.

"In addition, Florida could benefit from a multi-billion dollar incentive provided to states that have not expanded Medicaid. It is fiscally irresponsible and morally wrong that the Governor and GOP-controlled Legislature leave so many Floridians without health coverage, especially during a pandemic. I urge policymakers in Tallahassee to bring our tax dollars back home to care for our neighbors and support our hospitals and health providers. More affordable coverage also will be available to more Florida families through new help under the Affordable Care Act.

"Local restaurants are critical to business and our way of life here in Tampa, and the American Rescue Plan includes $25 billion in assistance solely for restaurants. They've been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, and these flexible, equitably distributed grants will help them get back on their feet and put the disaster behind them. There's also $92 million included for public transit in the Tampa area, funds we know will be put to good use by HART to keep frontline workers on the job and get other essential employees who rely on public transit where they need to go.

"We all love the Tampa International Airport and tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, so I'm thrilled that critical funds will help buoy airports, airlines, employees and concessionaires until travel returns to pre-pandemic levels. This $8 billion allotment for airports is set to keep the contractors and the employees going and to retain 90 percent of the workforce here at TPA through the end of the year.

"This package will go a long way to serving the needs of our neighbors, and getting back to normal as soon as possible. I look forward to President Biden signing it this week."

Source