News Digest :: March 13, 2020
Legislature Pa. lawmakers plan to meet in the Capitol next week, despite coronavirus concerns https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-lawmakers-capitol-open-closed-coronavirus-20200312.html Can a closed Capitol be transparent? Yes, say experts Can...Gov. Wolf, Sec. of Health Outline COVID-19 Mitigation Guidance for Montgomery County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
News Digest :: March 12, 2020
Legislature Santarsiero proposes legislation to protect workers during public health emergencies https://www.buckslocalnews.com/news/santarsiero-proposes-legislation-to-protect-workers-during-public-health-emergencies/article_0042f5b8-63d3-11ea-b87e-f340da51b275.html...Coronavirus Disease and Schools: Allowing for Online Instruction
| Posted: | March 11, 2020 05:55 PM |
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| From: | Senator Andrew E. Dinniman |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Coronavirus Disease and Schools: Allowing for Online Instruction |
Let’s face facts. Today, the World Health Organization formally declared COVID-19 a pandemic. All you have to do is read the news from Italy and, in our own nation New Rochelle NY, to see the situation which we in Pennsylvania will be faced with in the weeks ahead. The school districts in my area are already calling me, asking for specific direction from the state and reporting concerns with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) guidance to view the need for extended school closures on a “case-by-case basis”. During this health crisis, school districts need the authority to act in a quick and efficient manner.
My proposal would allow each district to deliver online instruction until the end of the 2019-20 school year. While I realize that many districts in the Commonwealth are not equipped to provide online instruction to all students, we have a responsibility to those that can to be allowed to do so. In districts that do not have the capability to offer online instruction, PDE shall, within two weeks of enactment of this legislation, work with those districts to develop a plan for online/alternate instruction.
News Digest :: March 11, 2020
Legislature There’s trouble in the air in Pennsylvania | By State Sen. Jay Costa and Zach Barber https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/03/theres-trouble-in-the-air-in-pennsylvania-opinion.html Pa. House Dems push package of voter bills that fall in line with national...News Digest :: March 10, 2020
Legislature Groups rally against tax breaks for petrochemical manufacturers https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200309/groups-rally-against-tax-breaks-for-petrochemical-manufacturers What two rallies say about the fight over a natural gas tax credit | Analysis What two...Protecting Workers During Public Health Emergencies
| Posted: | March 9, 2020 10:35 AM |
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| From: | Senator Steven J. Santarsiero |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Protecting Workers During Public Health Emergencies |
No one should have to fear losing their job, through no fault of their own, during a public health emergency. In the United States, the power to isolate and quarantine exists at both the federal and state level. Unfortunately, most states, including Pennsylvania, do not address whether an employer can fire an employee while under quarantine or in isolation. That’s why I’ll be introducing legislation to protect workers from retaliation when they take leave during public health emergencies, like the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.
On March 6, 2020, Governor Wolf signed an emergency disaster declaration to provide increased support to state agencies involved in the response to the virus. The state has already sent legal quarantine notices to the individuals with presumed positive cases of the virus. Fortunately, the individuals in the state with presumed positive cases of the virus have voluntarily quarantined themselves at home, which will end when they’ve been without symptoms for 14 days.