Senate public hearings to explore reforms on policing, plus an update on the governor’s refusal to follow the law…

In this update:

Update on governor’s refusal to end disaster declaration
Senate committees to host two days of hearings on accountability and equality in the criminal justice system
Guidelines available for COVID-19 Small business assistance grants
New guidance available for recreational sports to resume
Federal CARES Act funding for dairy industry
Information available for reopening museums and historical societies
Protecting health care workers during pandemic and after – my interview on PA Cable Network

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Update on the governor’s refusal to end disaster declaration

I recently wrote an op-ed that provided the various reasons lawmakers – on both sides of the aisle – voted to terminate the governor’s state disaster declaration. The op-ed also contains where things stand in the legal battle to end the declaration.

Here is a quick excerpt from the op-ed:

“At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sense of unity and hope that our state and our country could confront this crisis head-on and come out stronger in the end. Americans have always come together in our darkest hours and confronted our greatest challenges with a spirit of cooperation.

Before we are Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans – united under one flag. As a nation of laws, we are required to all live by the same standards.

We need leaders at all levels of government to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk. Unfortunately, we have seen something very different from state leaders in recent weeks.”

You can read it in its entirety here. I appreciate you taking a few minutes to read my perspective based on the feedback I’ve received from many of our neighbors.

The Associated Press reported last night that the Commonwealth Court will hear the case on June 29.

Senate committees to host two days of hearings on accountability and equality in the criminal justice system

Starting today at 10 a.m., the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold a two-part public hearing to examine accountability and equality in law enforcement and the overall criminal justice system.

The committees will continue their hearings tomorrow at 10 a.m. While I am not a member of either committee, I am unable to participate. However, I will be watching and listening to the suggestions and feedback provided at these hearings. Furthermore, I am going to share the public hearings on my Facebook Page for residents of the 28th District to watch if interested.

More information on today’s hearing can be found here. More information on tomorrow’s hearing can be found here.

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.

The York County Economic Alliance has been instrumental in providing this information to our community. Visit their website, PreparedYork.com, for more information.

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.

Federal CARES Act funding for dairy industry

On Tuesday, the governor announced that $40 million is available for the state’s dairy industry and food security programs due to funding provided by the federal CARES Act.

To find out more about this funding, click here.

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.

Protecting health care workers during pandemic and after – my interview on PA Cable Network

Earlier this week, I was grateful to spend a few minutes on the Pennsylvania Cable Network outlining legislation I have sponsored that would protect health care workers in the Commonwealth. You can read more about this bill here.

You can watch the interview here (I join the program around the 17-minute mark).

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