COVID-19 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - Week of April 13

Below is an update on recent developments on matters of importance to the membership of the Chamber during the COVID crisis.  Please review and take action by contacting your elected officials asking for further and balanced relief for Delaware’s County’s businesses, non-Profits and human services.

•  Federal –
  • Administration - Dr. Anthony Fauci, who has been the lead infection disease expert within the Trump Administration, stated that re-opening of the economy could gradually begin in May.    

• Congress – The US Congress returns next week, but negotiations have already begun on further COVID relief packages.  Provisions being debated include:
  • An additional $250billion into the Payment Protection Program to help small businesses.
  • Renewing funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program
  • Allowing 501(c)(6)’s, such as the Chamber to apply for SBA’s PPP assistance.
  • $100 billion grant program for hospitals, healthcare providers and Medicare and Medicaid enrolled suppliers;

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​State –

• Administration –
  • Today Governor Wolf joined with 6 other Democrat and 1 Republican Governor in the Northeast to start a COVID Task Force for a regional approach to opening the economy.  The other states are Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
  • Over the weekend, Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Department of Labor & Industry will soon have an Unemployment Compensation application available for temporary benefits provided in the CARE package. This will allow for an additional $600 per week for those who are unemployed for 13 weeks or longer.  The new benefits also include those that are self-employed and independent contractors.
  • On Friday, Governor Tom Wolf issued an Executive Order to release approximately 1,800 non-violent offenders to stop the spread of COVID within prisons.  
  • The Governor also signed another Executive Order to “commandeer and redistribute” medical supplies if needed.  The information is being inventoried through the PA Department of Health Hospital Dashboard. 
  • The Wolf Administration, through the PA Department of State, has also waived a number of licensing regulations in response to COVID crisis.
  • The Governor also announced a $450 million Hospital Emergency Loan Program (HELP) for hospitals that are now financially strained due to the COVID crisis.  Applications will be available through this link starting April 13.
  • The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has closed the initial Capital Access Program (CWCA) for loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19, but the Legislature is calling for the Administration to open another round. 
• Legislature – 
  • The House may return this week to take up several bills, and the Senate remain “on call of the Chair.”  Bills up for consideration include
    • Senate Bill 841 an “Omnibus” bill passed unanimously by the State Senate and sent to the House.  Provisions within the bill include:
      • Allow local governments to provide greater flexibility on property tax deadlines.
      • Permit local governments to conduct remote meetings.
      • Give notaries emergency authorization to notarize documents remotely with communications technology.
    • SB 613 – was amended in the House Appropriations Committee to require the Administration to align with guidance published by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
    • SB327 – was passed by the full House and sent to the Senate.  This legislation establishes a Recovery Task Force and forces the Administration to give the Legislature information on how is waives certain regulations.  
    • HB2388 - Which will require the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development to issue a waiver to the Governor’s order to allow all car dealerships to open.
    • Representative David Delloso introduced HB2362 to allow for job protections of people who are forced to miss work because they have been quarantined by the government or medical community.  Rep Jen O’Mara has is working on legislation to eliminate the burden of proof on employees of life-sustaining businesses and occupations who have contracted COVID-19.  Senator Tom Killion is also introducing legislation for a grant program specifically for non-profit organizations impacted by COVID and a bill to provide state zero interest loans to small businesses.

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​County –

• Delaware County has been facilitating aid through the County’s Emergency Services Department as well as Services for the Aging (COSA) and Community Transit.

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Other Resources –

• PA Department of Health 
  
  •  www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
• Non-Profit Assistance –
  • Local Grant Opportunities
    • Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund by the Foundation for Delaware County
    • Nonprofit Community Grant Application through The Community's Foundation
• Employee Options Paid Employee Leave –
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Summary for Employee Paid Leave during COVID-19
    • FAQ's about FFCRA
  • Unemployment Compensation Application FAQ
  • Department of Labor and Industry -www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/Pages/default.aspx​