Governor proposes checks to North Carolina families with stimulus funds

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.