Gov. Newsom presented a plan on Friday to feed seniors that qualify, three meals a day prepared by local restaurants, during the coronavirus pandemic, an initiative that could pump billions of dollars into a devastated industry while generating sales tax collections for cash-strapped local governments.
California has about 5.7 million people 65 and older and it is not known precisely how many will be eligible, though Newsom said he expects it will be millions. To qualify, seniors must earn below 600% of the federal poverty level, which is $74,940 (44,964) for an individual. They also must have either been exposed to the virus, have a high risk for exposure or a compromised immune system.
A qualifying senior will get up to $66 per day for three meals at local restaurants that meet certain criteria. If 2 million people sign up and get all three meals a day, the price tag would be about $4 billion per month.
The federal government will pay for 75% (49.50 per day per senior) of the cost to the state. Local governments, county and cities will pay for the rest (16.50 per day per senior). But the state government will pay 75% of the cost to local governments which is 12.38 per senior per day out of the state of California revenue per day, so local governments will actually only be charged with 4.12 per senior per day, but get the sales tax (4.95 at 7.5%) from the local resturant, if they participate. Now let me ask you, do you understand any part of what I just reported? Could this be another political scam to get major federal dollars and use the seniors in the state to get it, and who checks on these spenders that verify and report that the money really fed anyone? Just Asking!