What’s in Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion stimulus plan

Research from the Congressional Budget Office in 2019 suggested that raising the wage to $ 15 nationwide could increase the wages of tens of millions of workers, albeit potentially at some cost to employment – perhaps 1.3 million people who would work otherwise would not be, in part because employers would reduce the payroll.

States and communities could get help.

Mr Biden’s plan would provide $ 440 billion in aid to communities, according to the administration, in addition to funds for the school’s reopening. The back-up plan would involve billions of dollars in grants and loan programs for small businesses (it’s not entirely clear how they would work), and $ 350 billion in emergency funding for state governments. , local and territorial.

State and local governments have seen their revenues decline less than expected overall, but have suffered uneven financial consequences from the pandemic. They have drastically reduced their payrolls, which is concerning as they employ around 13% of American workers.

Public health measures are at the forefront.

Mr Biden is calling for $ 160 billion in funding for a national immunization program, expanded testing, a public health jobs program and other measures to tackle the virus, according to the administration summary.

The plan would invest $ 20 billion in a national immunization program “in partnership with states, towns, tribes and territories” and try to ensure that people can receive vaccines for free regardless of their immigration status. About $ 50 billion would be spent on improving testing, and $ 40 billion would be spent on strengthening protective equipment and supplies, deploying emergency response personnel, and improving the manufacturing of supplies. .

The plan would expand paid holidays.

Mr Biden would renew provisions for paid leave that were not extended under the December program, while eliminating exemptions for small and large employers. The plan would provide 14 weeks of paid sick, family and medical leave for caregivers working in schools or closed care centers, while providing a vacation pay of $ 1,400 for eligible workers.

State and local governments as well as employers with fewer than 500 employees would be reimbursed for costs through a refundable tax credit. The emergency leave arrangements would last until the end of September.