COVID-19
Senate Democrats introduce legislative solutions for working families during the COVID-19 outbreak and business closures.
Continue below to view legislation, stay up-to-date on the latest news, find important resources and more.
Restaurant & Tavern COVID-19 Assistance
Senators Jim Brewster & Pam Iovino Propose $100 Million COVID-19 Grant Program & Financial Relief Package for PA Restaurants & Taverns
Allegheny County, PA – July 23, 2020 – Today, State Senators Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino announced a comprehensive proposal to provide emergency relief to Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns, which have seen significant financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The seven-point plan includes a $100 million grant program to retail liquor licensees using federal CARES Act funds, as well as a suite of policy changes to financially benefit these struggling businesses.
“Restaurants and taverns are not only favorite neighborhood destinations and community staples, they are the job creators and the cornerstone of vibrant main streets across Pennsylvania, representing the third-largest sector of the state’s economy – and they are in dire need of assistance,” said Senator Iovino (D – Allegheny & Washington). “As these small business owners struggle to determine if they can hang on, they need to know that there are lifelines available to them. This plan would direct financial relief to this specific retail sector and will help position our Commonwealth for a full and lasting economic recovery.”
“Restaurants, bars and the hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and we have to provide relief,” said Senator Brewster (D – Allegheny & Westmoreland). “Too many bars and restaurants are imperiled, cannot survive under strict mitigation, or have closed their doors putting men and women out of work. We have an obligation and responsibility to move aggressively and provide help now. The assistance package we are offering today is critical for bars and restaurants and their employees.”
Pennsylvania Needs a Just Recovery
The Pennsylvania Senate & House Democratic Caucuses joined workers for virtual press events “based” across the state to highlight that Pennsylvania needs a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and justice for black lives. These events were able to bring together members of both legislative chambers to discuss the issues that constituents in their regions have brought to them as the major areas that they want to see change and assistance in as we create our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the events below.
Southeastern PA
Hosted by Senator Muth, Senator Santarsiero, Representative Bradford, Representative Comitta and Representative Otten
Allegheny
Hosted by Senator Costa, Represenative Dermody, Represenative Gainey, Represenative Davis and Represenative Miller
Lehigh / Northeastern PA
Hosted by Represenative Madden, Represenative Pashinski and Represenative Schlossberg
Southeastern PA (Delco)
Hosted by Senator Kearney, Represenative McClinton and Represenative Krueger
June 18 • 10 am
Location: Southeastern PA
Hosted by Senator Muth, Senator Santarsiero, Representative Bradford, Representative Comitta and Representative Otten
Meeting ID: 819 3979 1362
Password: 264672489
June 18 • 11:00 AM
Location: Philadelphia
Hosted by Represenative Harris, Represenative Dawkins and Represenative Rabb
Meeting ID: 976 0394 1503
Password: 075347
June 18 • 2:00 PM
Location: Allegheny
Hosted by Senator Costa, Represenative Dermody, Represenative Gainey, Represenative Davis and Represenative Miller
Meeting ID: 868 9581 3709
Password: 664954553
June 18 • 2:00 PM
Location: Lehigh / Northeastern PA
Hosted by Represenative Madden, Represenative Pashinski and Represenative Schlossberg
Meeting ID: 824 5670 0008
Password: 026015692
June 18 • 3:00 PM
Location: Southeastern PA (Delco)
Hosted by Senator Kearney, Represenative McClinton and Represenative Krueger
Meeting ID: 846 2996 9103
Password: 917287918
COVID-19 Response Priorities
Healthcare System and Protecting Front Line Workers
We are facing unprecedented challenges as we fight the spread of COVID-19. As the country and the world institute policies and procedures on how to keep our communities safe, our front-line workers continue to operate in dangerous working conditions on a daily basis. Workers in healthcare facilities, public assistance workers and other direct support professionals, first responders and public safety personnel, transportation employees, and other essential retail staff such as grocery store workers, face increased risk to their health as we rely on them to provide life-sustaining services to our communities.
We must provide front-line workers with the tools necessary for maintaining strong mental and physical health and to mitigate the spread of coronavirus on work sites that are still in physical operation.
Our legislation would do so in several ways:
- Provide emergency funding for safety equipment, including personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, and mental health supports for front line employees;
- Create clear standards for the implementation of containment control plans in healthcare facilities, including emergency standards and accountability;
- Prioritize front-line workers in COVID-19 testing;
- Suspend, or limit, in-person services to the greatest extent possible by shifting to virtual assistance working standards and requiring telemedicine coverage by insurers for public workers classified as essential;
- Require cleaning standards for workplaces that remain open during this crisis to meet or exceed state and federal standards for COVID-19 prevention.
- Require employers to adopt social distancing policies by making available more spaces for employees to take their breaks and meal periods.
- Create the COVID-19 Crisis Fire and EMS grant program to provide an additional, one-time grant to each fire and EMS company agency that has been approved by the PA Emergency Management Agency and the Office of State Fire Commissioner for an annual grant for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
Assistance for Working People and Families
As protective measures are implemented statewide to protect our constituents from Covid-19 we must also act to protect all working people them from economic fallout as a result of this crisis. All working people and families deserve to be protected during this time of crisis.
Our legislation would do so in several ways:
- Emergency paid sick leave for all employees not covered by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
- Extending paid sick leave for an additional 4 days to cover the full two-week quarantine period as the federal bill only covers 10 days.
- The state will cover the additional 1/3 pay rate for those who must take leave to care for a child whose school has closed so employees receive 100% of pay.
- Extend family medical leave to all employees at 100% wage rate starting immediately upon starting leave to cover the unpaid time under the federal bill and then the additional 1/3 pay to fill the gap for 100% pay rate though the term covered by the Family Medical Leave Act.
- Requiring employers to reinstate workers returning from leave.
- Provide a presumption that all workers are eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits if they contract the Coronavirus in the workplace.
- Ensure that all workers can not be fired for any reason related to the Coronavirus.
- Require protocols for sterilizing workplaces where known cases of COVID-19 have been identified
- Ensure that all contract employees of public agencies, including school districts, are compensated for time off during the emergency order.
- Make it illegal to evict or foreclose on a family suffering unemployment due to an emergency disaster declaration.
- Ensure that students that are not in school receive continuity of education service and are provided online education opportunities.
- Ensure receipt of a stimulus check from the Federal government is not included in consideration of an individuals income for purposes of qualifying for social safety nets.
- Exempt stimulus checks from the Federal government from State and local taxation, making those payments exempt from all levels of taxation.
Economic Stimulus
- Provide additional working capital availability under the newly created COVID Working Capital Program – access to the current program can be found at https://dced.pa.gov/
- Making sure that school districts have the resources necessary to educate and fee students in a safe environment, including address toxic buildings
- Providing resources through PennVest for water utilities, and other utilities, to make infrastructure improvements
- Provide $100 million to childcare centers to cover administrative expenses, including payroll, and fill the loss of tuition payments from families.
- Provide $17 million for Pre-K and Head Start to cover administrative expenses, including payroll to compensate for lost co-payments that would otherwise have been collected.
- Appropriate $50 million to extend Pre-K and Head Start programs into the summer to mitigate early childhood learning losses for students.
- Create a Common Wealth Fund to all for citizens and businesses to make donations to provide essential services to those in need.
PA Senate Democrats Protecting Pennsylvanians During COVID-19
PA Senate Dems COVID-19 Response Legislation
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Our Members at Work
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COVID-19 Resources
Department of Health Resources
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
Below, please find links to state and federal sites that can help you navigate health recommendations, closures, and resources.
- Economic Assistance:
- Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19
- U.S. Small Business Administration: COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
- Hebrew Free Loan Association’s Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program
- Business Resources from the PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
- Emergency assistance to service industry employees who are parents
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- PA Chamber of Commerce
- Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan
- COVID-19 Loan Programs Quick Guide
- Federal Information
- FAQ – Federal Stimulus Package (U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb)
- Emergency Family & Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
- IRS Information
- CDC
- CDC Coronavirus Self Checker Tool (click on the orange self-checker box in the lower right hand corner of the page)
- U.S. Treasury Department (Paycheck Protection Program and other resources for small businesses)
- Seniors
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program can help older adult enrollees with prescription refill extensions
- PA Department of Health
- Apply for a mail in ballot for the April 28 primary
- Covid-19 Community Preparedness and Procedures Materials
- COVID-19 & the Census
- School Guidance/Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Guidance & Resources
- PA Government general guidance and information
- PA 211
Latest State News & Updates
Five More Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Begin Limited In-Store Public Access in Philadelphia June 19
Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that five more Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in Philadelphia will resume limited in-store public access beginning Friday, June 19, abiding by guidance for businesses issued by the Wolf...
L&I Secretary: Governor Wolf’s Disaster Declaration Needed to Help People Out of Work, Reduce Employer Costs
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today highlighted the importance of Governor Tom Wolf's disaster declaration to help Pennsylvanians who are out of work get the unemployment compensation benefits they deserve...
Pennsylvania Capitol Building to Reopen to Public on June 22
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of General Services announced today the Pennsylvania Capitol building will reopen to the public with modified prevention protocols on June 22. The reopening follows Dauphin County moving to the green phase of the COVID-19...
Gov. Wolf: PA is One of Three States Recognized by CDC for COVID-19 Reduction Success
As states across the country begin to reopen and nearly half are seeing COVID-19 cases rise, Governor Tom Wolf announced Friday that Pennsylvania is not one of them. Today at a daily COVID briefing with Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, he noted another...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 335 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,818
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 17, that there are 335 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,818. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, USDA Farm to Food Bank Funds Support Local Dairies, Workforce, Food Banks
Mercer, PA - Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited the Ralph Moore Dairy Farm in Mercer today, one of more than 30 Pennsylvania dairy farms supported by the state’s acquisition of more than 200,000 pounds of Swiss cheese – stranded from COVID-19 supply...
64th Annual Keystone International Livestock Exposition Cancelled
Harrisburg, PA – The 2020 Keystone International Livestock Exposition (KILE) has been canceled to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. KILE was originally scheduled to run September 25 - October 4, 2020 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. "Although...
Gov. Wolf: Four Universities Receive Funding for COVID-19 Response Through Manufacturing Innovation Challenge
Governor Tom Wolf today announced the seven project awardees of $174,603 in new funding through the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program COVID-19 Challenge to address the commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are fortunate to have some of the brightest...
Human Services Secretary: Gov. Wolf’s Disaster Declaration Necessary as Health Care and Social Services Providers Rise to Continued Challenge of COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today outlined regulatory suspensions and operational adjustments permitted under Governor Tom Wolf’s disaster declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. These flexibilities and waivers...
Gov. Wolf: $157.5 Million Now Available for School Health and Safety Grants to Address COVID-19
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that The School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved the opening of two funding announcements totaling $157.5 million that school entities are immediately...
First Lady Frances Wolf Partners with Pennsylvania PBS to Deliver Encouraging Messages to Children and Caregivers
First Lady Frances Wolf offered encouraging messages to children, parents, teachers, and caregivers through the release of a series of videos created in collaboration with Pennsylvania PBS titled #TogetherPennsylvania. Videos in the series include: a reading of...
Gov. Wolf Announces $40 Million in CARES Act Funding Available to Address Dairy Industry Relief, Food Security
Governor Wolf announced today the availability of $40 million in funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and food security programs, following months of uncertainty and loss from...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 362 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,483
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 16, that there are 362 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,483. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Department of Health Reminds Pennsylvanians about Ticks, Warns Some Symptoms of Lyme Disease Similar to COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA- Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today reminded Pennsylvanians to take proper steps to prevent against tick bites and recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease, as some symptoms of Lyme disease are similar to those of COVID-19. Ticks can carry...
Gov. Wolf: Funding Awarded to Support Affordable Housing Projects in 17 Counties
Governor Tom Wolf announced more than $10 million in funding through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to support affordable housing projects across the commonwealth. “Being able to provide affordable, safe, and livable spaces for lower-income...
Department of Health Highlights May 2020 Nursing Home Inspection, Sanction Information Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA - In the May 2020 report, Pennsylvania Department of Health nursing home surveyors conducted 292 inspections of nursing homes, including 210 complaint investigations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, nine sanctions were...
Tips to Protect Seniors from Financial Abuse
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) is reminding Pennsylvanians about signs of senior financial exploitation and ways to help prevent this type of abuse. “Social isolation is a leading factor contributing to the financial exploitation...
Gov. Wolf Announces $260 Million in Funding to Help People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism During Pandemic
Governor Tom Wolf announced that people with intellectual disabilities and autism and the providers of support services for these vulnerable Pennsylvanians will receive $260 million in CARES Act funding to help continue to provide services during the COVID-19...
Insurance Department Announces Remote Testing Option for Exam Candidates
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman today announced the availability of a remote testing option for insurance license exams. Candidates can opt for remote testing beginning July 1, 2020. Pennsylvania’s exam vendor, PSI,...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 323 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 79,121
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 15, that there are 323 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 79,121. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Gov. Wolf Announces 10 More Testing Sites in Areas with Limited Access
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that beginning Wednesday, June 17, nine more COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites will open in Walmart parking lots across the state, bringing the total to 19 sites at Walmart locations. Quest Diagnostics and Walmart are working with the...
FAQ’s
During the past few weeks, the PA Senate Democrats have hosted dozens of virtual town halls to provide information, build community and answer question. We wanted to share a few of the most frequently asked questions related to COVID-19.
STAY CALM. STAY SAFE. STAY HOME.