COVID-19 Update - June 15 - Senator Stefano

UPDATE: Lawmakers approved a concurrent resolution last week that requires Governor Wolf to terminate his COVID-19 emergency declaration, clearing the way for businesses to reopen safely statewide. The measure would not affect the state’s ability to receive federal funding or impact the ability of Pennsylvanians to receive unemployment and other federally funded benefits.

To date, the governor has refused to do his Constitutional duty to end the disaster declaration. Senate leaders have petitioned the Commonwealth Court to force the governor to end his emergency declaration. Unfortunately, this means that until the issue is settled in the courts, all of the governor’s current orders remain in effect. However, this could change if the courts rule in favor of ending the declaration. In the meantime, I will continue to share information on the governor’s orders and guidance for informational purposes until the courts weigh in.

In This Update:

Brownsville’s Ribbon Cutting Marathon
Senate Hearings Planned on Turnpike Layoffs, Safe Reopening, Law Enforcement Reforms
Guidelines Available for COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grants
Eight More Counties Moving to Green Phase of Reopening
New Guidance Available for Sports to Resume
Information Available for Reopening Museums and Historical Societies
Around the 32nd District

Brownsville’s Ribbon Cutting Marathon

As we reawaken and reimagine business after the COVID crisis, entrepreneurs in Brownsville are working harder than ever. This past Friday, I participated in 11 separate ribbon cuttings organized by the Fayette Chamber and the Greater Brownsville Chamber. Congratulations to all the new businesses in Brownsville:

Riverside Family Market
Market Street Barber Shop
The Sandwich Shop and Deli
Leaning House Fine Cigars
Vaganova Academy of Brownsville – Little Mozart
Antiques on Broad
Exquisite Design
Aperturepro 22
Mary’s Corner Cafe
Picker’s Pub and Grub
The Brownsville Perennial Project

Please stop by and say hello to these and all the great businesses in Brownsville.

Senate Hearings Planned on Turnpike Layoffs, Safe Reopening, Law Enforcement Reforms

Several Senate committees are scheduled to address some of the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania communities this week:

Pennsylvania Turnpike plans to layoff at least 500 employees and switch to an all-electronic tolling system. Senate Transportation Committee and Senate Labor and Industry Committee, Monday, 10 a.m.

Northeastern Pennsylvania employers and employees negatively affected by the governor’s shutdown. Senate Majority Policy Committee, Tuesday, 10 a.m.

Accountability and equality in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Law and Justice Committee, Wednesday & Thursday, 10 a.m.

All of the hearings will be streamed live at www.pasenategop.com.

Guidelines Available for COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grants

I supported a law approved by the Senate earlier this month that directs $2.6 billion in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for critical needs that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the new law, a total of $225 million in grants are available for small businesses impacted by the virus.

Funding will be available through three programs:

$100 million for the Main Street Business Revitalization Program for small businesses that experienced losses as a result of the Governor’s March 19 business closure order.
$100 million for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Program for small businesses that experienced loss as a result of the business closure order.
$25 million for the Loan Payment Deferment and Loss Reserve Program.

More information on the new funding is available here. A complete breakdown of the CARES Act funding is available here.

Eight More Counties Moving to Green Phase of Reopening

Beginning on June 19, a total of 54 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties will be in the green phase of reopening. All counties in the state are now in either the green or yellow phase, and the governor’s stay-at-home order has been lifted for all counties.

The counties moving to green on June 19 are: Dauphin, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Perry, Pike and Schuylkill. The only counties remaining in the yellow phase past June 19 are: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia and Susquehanna.

Many businesses in the green phase will operate at a lower capacity with new safety requirements in place, and lower occupancy thresholds are mandated for businesses such as restaurants, bars, personal care services and entertainment venues.

New Guidance Available for Recreational Sports to Resume

Professional, recreational, collegiate, high school and youth sports can now resume statewide under new guidance that was announced last week. The guidance includes screening and monitoring coaches and players for COVID-19 symptoms, bringing individual drinks instead of using water coolers or fixed water fountains, avoiding handshakes and other unnecessary contact, not sharing equipment whenever possible, limiting spectators and developing a plan of action if a coach, athlete or official is diagnosed with the virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has also released specific guidance for youth sports organizations, including recommendations to maintain a healthy environment, assess risks and promote practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Information Available for Reopening Museums and Historical Societies

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recently created a new webpage to share advice for museums, historical societies and preservation organizations that are beginning to reopen after closures related to COVID-19.

The new webpage includes health and safety guidance, funding resources and more.

Around the 32^nd District

“And They’re Off!” Great words you hear at the opening night of racing at Jennerstown Speedway. I was pleased to see so many fans and racing teams come out and enjoy a beautiful Somerset County evening. I joined the Sheriff, the DA and an amazing young women who sang the Anthem to kick off the first race. Great to see activities opening back up in our region!

This Memorial Day, we honored all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In Connellsville, WWII veteran Allan Jones marched at age 96, alongside Art McGann, another 96 year old WWII veteran. Today made 70 years in a row of Memorial Day Marches in Connellsville for Mr. Jones. CONGRATULATIONS!!