Officials Celebrate Passage of Stimulus Package

NEWBURGH – Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18) was surrounded by local government officials Friday at the Newburgh waterfront to celebrate the passing of the American Rescue Plan Act, finalized on Thursday. The $1.9 trillion stimulus plan includes $23.8 billion for New York, most being delivered directly to local governments and school districts.

Joined by elected officials on both ends of the political spectrum, Maloney touted the new funding program as being “critically-needed relief for New York families, schools, and communities.”

He said this legislation “will have a profound impact at every level of our society, from our kitchen table to our GDP. Over $23 billion will go directly to New York state and local governments, including hundreds of millions of dollars to NY-18. We’re putting checks in the hands of tens of millions of American households and delivering benefits for more than 93 percent of children. We’re cutting taxes in 2021 by an average of $3,000 for low and middle-income families and making health insurance more affordable.”

Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey noted that his city will receive $20 million from the new law and the Newburgh Enlarged City School District will benefit from $31.9 million. The money will help offset the devastation caused by the pandemic, said Harvey.

“The courage and fortitude it took to legislate the American rescue plan will always be remembered for the working class Americans, the small business owners, the single parents, that are struggling, not only to fight a global pandemic known as the coronavirus, but also to fight the bone-crushing economic catastrophe that came along with it,” Harvey said.

Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison was also a part of the bipartisan gathering and thanked Maloney for his tireless efforts in getting the vital funding. Rolison’s 2021 budget had banked on receiving at least $1 million from Washington and learned this week that Poughkeepsie will be receiving $21 million.

“The first thing we will do is put the $1 million that we expected into the coffers.” He took a moment to advise his colleagues of the need to “be good stewards of public dollars,” while encouraging his fellow elected officials to develop “strategic spending of this money because the crisis isn’t over.”

State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh) said the stimulus package will mean the state will not have to hold back needed funding for municipalities and school districts.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email