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
Wolf Administration Launches New Online Training for Mandatory Reporting of Elder Abuse to Mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Harrisburg, PA -- In response to and in recognition of Governor Wolf's Executive Order on Vulnerable Populations, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging has created a free, online Mandatory Abuse Reporting training module to help aging and human services providers...
Department of Health Announces Additional Partnerships to Assist with COVID-19 Response
Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced a partnership with General Healthcare Resources to assist with the COVID-19 response. “We are so pleased to have this level of collaboration and assistance from General Healthcare Resources,”...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 336 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 78,798
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 14, that there are 336 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 78,798. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 463 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 78,462
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 13, that there are 463 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 78,462. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. Nearly 74...
Gov. Wolf: State’s Measured, Phased Reopening Plan Succeeding as Other States See Cases Rise
As Pennsylvania continues to implement Governor Tom Wolf’s Process to Reopen PA, the state is also among a select few with a steady decline in cases, a positive indicator that the state’s phased, measured reopening plan is working to balance public health with...
Gov. Wolf: Eight More Counties Going Green on June 19
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that eight more counties will move to the green phase of reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 19. These counties include Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike, and Schuylkill....
Reopening Phase Orders Updated to Include 12 Additional Counties Moving to Green on June 12
Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today signed amended green phase orders for the 12 counties moving to green at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, June 12. The counties include Adams, Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland,...
Secretary of Agriculture: Urbanization Threatens Agricultural Lands, Farmland Preservation Key to Future of Food Security
Mechanicsburg, PA - At the Deckman family farm in Cumberland County today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced an $11.9 million investment in food security by safeguarding 4,432 acres on 48 farms in 25 counties through the state’s nation-leading...
Department of Human Services Issues Request for Application for Regional Response Health Collaboration Program
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for its new Regional Response Health Collaboration Program (RRHCP). The RRHCP is designed to directly support COVID-19 readiness and response in long-term...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 467 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 77,313
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 11, that there are 467 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 77,313. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are 6,113...
Human Services Extends Emergency Assistance Program, Help with Home Energy Crisis Funding and School Meals Available
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced a one-month extension of the temporary Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) and reminded Pennsylvanians of other assistance programs that remain available as the commonwealth reopens and...
23 More Fine Wine & Good Spirits to Begin Limited In-Store Public Access in Southeast Pennsylvania June 12
549 FW&GS stores across Pennsylvania will be open for retail sales Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that 23 more Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores will resume limited in-store public access beginning Friday, June 12, abiding by...
L&I Holding Unemployment Compensation Virtual Town Hall on Thursday
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is hosting a live virtual town hall from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM this Thursday, June 11, 2020, to share information about Pennsylvania's regular unemployment compensation (UC) and other new...
Human Services Extends Emergency Assistance Program, Help with Home Energy Crisis Funding and School Meals Available
Harrisburg, PA - Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced a one-month extension of the temporary Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) and reminded Pennsylvanians of other assistance programs that remain available as the commonwealth reopens and...
Wolf Administration Outlines Impacts of Ending Disaster Declaration
Today, the Wolf Administration outlined the potential impact of ending the March 6 disaster declaration while clarifying that the legislature cannot end it unilaterally. The disaster declaration aids in speeding up the state’s response to the pandemic and provides...
Wolf Administration Provides Guidance to Resume High School and Other Summer Sports
The Wolf Administration today issued preliminary guidance for high school and recreational sports teams to resume voluntary workouts and other in-person activities in the state’s yellow and green phases. The guidance includes college and professional sports....
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 410 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 76,846
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 10, that there are 410 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 76,846. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
Gov. Wolf: Updated Business Guidance on Outdoor Recreation Available for Yellow and Green Phases of Reopening
Governor Tom Wolf today released updated guidance regarding the types of outdoor recreation that businesses may offer during the yellow and green phases of reopening, and how they may do so safely, as the commonwealth continues to open its own public...
Department of Health Orders Further COVID-19 Protections for Hospital Staff
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today issued an order requiring that all hospitals take additional steps to further protect their staff and patients from COVID-19. The order requires all hospitals to develop, implement and adhere...
Gov. Wolf: Additional COVID-19 Testing Sites Opening in Areas with Limited Access
Governor Tom Wolf announced today that beginning Wednesday, June 10, five more COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites will open in Walmart parking lots across the state. “These additional testing sites help us further ramp up the state’s testing capabilities and make sure...
Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 493 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 76,436
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., June 9, that there are 493 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 76,436. All 67 counties in Pennsylvania have cases of COVID-19. There are...
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.