As the money from the American Rescue Plan nears the end of its distribution, some states are looking at sending out stimulus of their own. California recently passed the Golden State Stimulus, and now North Carolina’s governor is proposing something similar.

In a statement Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina pitched his idea as “recommendations for how North Carolina can most effectively invest in its recovery through the American Rescue Plan. That’s in reference to the $5.7 billion that North Carolina received from that legislation.

“This pandemic brought us a once-in-a-generation challenge. And these funds have brought us a once-in-a-generation opportunity," Cooper said in the statement. "North Carolina’s funding from the American Rescue Plan positions our state for a shared recovery and allows us to create a North Carolina that works for all.”

Among other proposals for the money, Cooper proposed investing  $250 million in what he termed “extra credit grants.” 

“The state will distribute grants of $250 or $500 to eligible families, with lower-income families eligible for the higher amount. Many North Carolina families, especially families with children, continue to struggle to afford basic household expenses as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic persists,” Cooper said. 

The Hill looked at the fine print of Cooper’s check proposal, adding that it’s unclear how much support the proposals have in the state legislature in North Carolina. 

“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,” the report said. 

Other proposals for the spending by Cooper include $1.2 billion in “broadband access and affordability to close the digital divide in North Carolina,” $300 million for “sound basic public education,” $350 million to promote the recovery of the hospitality industry, $575 million to address housing needs, $25 million to “support people who are disconnected from the workforce,” $800 million in order to ensure clean drinking water, and  $350 million to fund college scholarships. 

“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, per the local news station WECT.  “We decided we would propose an income limit because we need to try to get the money to the families that need it most, and plus it can make that payment to those families larger.”

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist, and film critic, who is also a contributor to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters.