PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) \u2014 A Pennsylvania Representative is looking to help defray the cost of this year\u2019s July 4 barbecue by providing families with a one-time check.<\/p>\n
The \u201c$250 for America\u2019s 250th Act<\/a>,\u201d 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 \u201cfeeling the squeeze\u201d of high energy prices across the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n \u201cTax collections in Pennsylvania are well above the previous fiscal year and exceed the official estimate by more than $900 million,\u201d the memo reads.\u00a0\u201cThe primary driver of healthy tax collections is Personal Income Tax.\u00a0 Returning some of that money back to the taxpayers who paid it, just makes common sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Last year, the price for a typical grocery trip for a cookout increased by 12.7%. This was a result of President Donald Trump\u2019s sweeping tariff implementation in April 2025. In 2024<\/a>, the average cost for 10 people to enjoy a Fourth of July cookout landed around $71.22, which was a record high price.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Below are some current national averages for some barbecue staples, based on brands and quality of the item:<\/p>\n Hamburger buns \u2013 $3\/pack<\/p>\n Domestic beer<\/p>\n Six-pack of major brands (Miller Lite, Budweiser, Coors Light) \u2013 $9<\/p>\n Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n Davanzo added that July 4 and barbecues are an American tradition like no other, and asked legislators to co-sponsor his act.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n