• Scranton, $69.9 million.
• Hazleton, $17.9 million.
Wilkes-Barre’s estimated allotment surprised its mayor George Brown. “I didn’t have any confirmation until today,” Brown said.
After being notified of the funding Brown called all five council members, he said.
Brown thanked Cartwright and fellow Democrat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton for their efforts on passing the COVID-19 relief bill.
“I am very grateful to Congressman Cartwright and Senator Casey for their wonderful help in securing this money for the city of Wilkes-Barre,” Brown said. “It’s going to be a wonderful help.”
The funding has “strict parameters” on it how it can be spent. It cannot be used to reduce taxes and for pensions, Brown said. But it can be put toward “some of the losses we experienced during the pandemic,” he said.