Fair Lawn Will Get $3.2 Million In New COVID Relief Plan

FAIR LAWN, NJ — The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package is on the way to President Joe Biden’s desk, and a life jacket is on the way for municipalities across New Jersey.

The United States House of Representatives passed the final version of the American Rescue Plan Wednesday, and Biden is expected to sign the bill by Friday. It received no votes of approval from House Republicans.

“Democrats are sending the most progressive legislation Congress has ever considered to the President’s desk,” House Republicans tweeted. “They’re using COVID as an excuse to ram through their far-left agenda.”

This plan notably includes $1,400 stimulus checks for those who meet the income criteria set forth in the package. Those could go out to direct deposit accounts the week of March 17, with paper checks mailed out the following week.

But that isn’t the only money flowing into New Jersey.

Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menedez broke down the $10.189 billion in funds that will be sent to New Jersey.

The final funding formula targets federal resources to areas with the greatest need and is modeled after Menendez’s bipartisan SMART Act. This brought in additional funds in the range of $1 billion, according to Menendez and Booker.

Bergen County will receive the most funding in the state at over $351 million. Of that money, over $259 million will be distributed to the county government, while over $91 million will be dispersed to municipalities. Read more: See How Much Each NJ Town Will Get From Coronavirus Relief Plan

This includes $3,231,446.84 going to Fair Lawn.

The state will receive $6.4 billion, with $189 million allocated to expand broadband internet.

Gov. Phil Murphy called the package a "relief" for residents.

"A great day for New Jersey and our nation as Congress sends the American Rescue Plan to @POTUS's desk," Murphy tweeted. "From vaccination resources to direct checks, this package will deliver real, bold relief for our people and our state. Help is on the way!"

All 10 Democrats in New Jersey voted for the measure, while both GOP members, Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, voted against it.

"New Jerseyans are finally going to see the relief they've needed for far too long," said Rep. Mike Sherrill (NJ-11). "Communities across North Jersey have borne the brunt of this crisis and this package will go a long way in helping support our families and businesses. The American Rescue Plan provides the funding needed to get our kids back in school safely, support our small businesses, keep roofs over the heads of those struggling to make rent and mortgage payments, and bolster crucial vaccine distribution efforts that will finally get this pandemic under control."

"At moments of enormous national crisis, government has risen to the moment. The American Rescue Plan does so once more," said Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-9). "This is one of the most significant pieces of legislation Congress will pass this generation. The American Rescue Plan will lift millions of Americans from poverty and our nation from its knees."

Fifth District Congressman Josh Gottheimer cited what this could mean for the communities in his district.

“The new package passing today also includes direct investment for every single county and town government across the Fifth District, as well as federal investment to improve local infrastructure — something that's incredibly important for Northern New Jersey,” he said.

According to numbers from his office:

• Bergen County’s government and the Bergen towns in the Fifth District will receive: $313.01 million
• Passaic County’s government and the two Passaic towns in the Fifth District will receive: $101.11 million
• Sussex County’s government and the Sussex towns in the Fifth District will receive: $36.50 million
• Warren County’s government and the Warren towns in the Fifth District will receive: $26.93 million

With reporting from Nicole Rosenthal.

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