Gov. Roy Cooper (D) on Wednesday proposed sending checks to North Carolina residents with part of the state’s share of funds from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan signed into law by President Biden in March.
Cooper called for using $250 million of the $5.7 billion allotted to North Carolina from the American Rescue Plan for checks to low- and middle-income families.
Under the governor’s proposal, married couples filing jointly with income up to $30,000 could receive a $500 check, while couples making between $30,000 and $60,000 would be eligible for $250. Single filers making up to $15,000 would be eligible for a $500 check, while a single person making between $15,000 and $30,000 could receive $250.
It’s unclear whether Cooper’s proposal will garner enough support in the state legislature. Republicans in the state House filed a bill last week that would provide families with $1,000 per child, with a maximum of $3,000 allowed.
Cooper’s plan follows a program last year that provided $335 for families with children, WNCN reported.
“This is a good idea put forth by the legislature. It has helped a lot of families. We included this in our proposal because of the input we got from a number of legislators that they would like to continue it,” Cooper said, according to WNCN.