PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Pennsylvania Representative is looking to help defray the cost of this year’s July 4 barbecue by providing families with a one-time check.
The “$250 for America’s 250th Act,” authored by Rep. Eric Davanzo, would provide families with a one-time check of $250, something he hopes will defray the cost as Pennsylvanians are “feeling the squeeze” of high energy prices across the Commonwealth.
“Tax collections in Pennsylvania are well above the previous fiscal year and exceed the official estimate by more than $900 million,” the memo reads. “The primary driver of healthy tax collections is Personal Income Tax. Returning some of that money back to the taxpayers who paid it, just makes common sense.”
Last year, the price for a typical grocery trip for a cookout increased by 12.7%. This was a result of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff implementation in April 2025. In 2024, the average cost for 10 people to enjoy a Fourth of July cookout landed around $71.22, which was a record high price.
In 2025, it was estimated that the cost of a barbecue would run families and the like around $130 for food and beverages for 10 people.
Below are some current national averages for some barbecue staples, based on brands and quality of the item:
Hamburger buns – $3/pack
Domestic beer
Six-pack of major brands (Miller Lite, Budweiser, Coors Light) – $9
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Davanzo added that July 4 and barbecues are an American tradition like no other, and asked legislators to co-sponsor his act.
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