STROUDSBURG — At the Pocono Family YMCA Thursday, Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Representative Maureen Madden to call on Pennsylvania’s Republican-led General Assembly to finally act to support the success of Pennsylvania families by passing legislation for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded $500 million PA Opportunity Program, which would send $2,000 checks to Pennsylvanians.

“Pennsylvanians should not have to choose between paying for utilities or groceries, childcare or gas. We have the opportunity and the means to ensure they’re not struggling, to ensure their success,” said Gov. Wolf. “I’m asking the General Assembly to unite across aisles on this for the sake of every Pennsylvanian — for when they succeed, our commonwealth succeeds. Let’s get this money out of our coffers and into the pockets of Pennsylvanians.”

Despite a $1.7 billion proposal by Gov. Wolf, Pennsylvania is sitting on more than $2 billion in federal ARPA dollars that remain without a plan and uncommitted.

With continued inaction by the legislature, the money will be sent back to the federal government by December 31, 2024