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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 13, 2022 08:55 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Timothy P. Kearney |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | ARPA Funding for Fire Companies |
| Soon, I plan to introduce legislation to use American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funds to cover financial losses suffered by fire companies during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In my district, I have continually heard of the struggles of our fire companies to raise revenue to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. While money was previously authorized to assist our fire companies with CARES Act dollars, the $15,000 cap on these grants falls short of the support many of these fire companies need. My legislation would authorize $125,000,000 in ARP dollars to be used in a new round of COVID-19 Crises Grant Program Dollars for Fire Companies. In addition, it would raise the cap on these grants from $15,000 to $50,000. Between increased rescue calls for emergencies and Delta and Omicron surges canceling community events and causing further volunteer shortages, fire and rescue companies continue to be an essential keystone of our communities but aren’t receiving the financial support they need to survive. It is appropriate and necessary that Pennsylvania’s American Rescue Plan funds are used to fiscally rescue the first responders that have rescued so many of us. It is vital that this legislature work to assist these critical companies to ensure the safety of our communities throughout this pandemic. I ask that my fellow legislators consider co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as SB1084