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In this update:
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How to get state-related assistance during the coronavirus shutdownWhile my offices are still not accepting in-person office visits or taking in-person meetings, our offices are handling constituent-related issues during this time. Here are the various ways you can contact me: District Office – 717-741-4648 (leave a voicemail) Capitol Office – 717-787-7085 (leave a voicemail) Email – SenatorKristin@pasen.gov Contact Form – SenatorKristin.com/contact-me. Resource guides for employers, employees, and other individuals affected by COVID-19 are also posted at SenatorKristin.com. Please note: Due to the high volume of inquiries our office has received over the last several weeks, please only contact our office one way as this will ensure we handle your matter and can assist others in a timely manner. I really appreciate everyone’s patience during this time. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania over 16,000; York County has 233 casesEarlier today, the Department of Health released their latest data that show York County has 233 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Pennsylvania currently has 16,239 confirmed cases. More information from the Department of Health can be found here. The department will have an update on the latest developments later today. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information. Are you interested in hearing how our local health system is adapting to this pandemic? Listen to my podcast here. Senate passes COVID-19 emergency measures for local governments
Local governments have faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Senate approved a bill this week that will help local governments respond to the coronavirus crisis. The bill would:
More details about the bill are available here. The Senate was in session Monday and Tuesday this week. To ensure full transparency, below are videos of the entire session from each day. Monday, April 6, 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Unemployment Compensation assistance for PennsylvaniansOur office received a lot of questions about the state’s Unemployment Compensation process. As you know, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law on Friday, March 27 – a little more than a week-and-a-half ago. The new federal law provides funding for states to extend unemployment compensation to self-employed individuals. The state is working with the federal government to put together a process to provide those benefits. As soon as this information is available, I will provide you with an update. If you are self-employed, do not fill out an unemployment application form. Furthermore, a lot of local citizens are complaining about the wait times to connect to the state’s Department of Labor and Industry. I completely understand and agree – when the governor shut down the state’s economy, he should have anticipated this massive influx of individuals to request assistance during these unprecedented times. Please know that while you are more than welcome to call and wait on hold, I would strongly advise you to email them instead at uchelp@pa.gov. Your email provides you with tangible proof that you contacted the department regarding your claim. More information from the department can be found here. State warns of COVID-19 stimulus check scams
The state Departments of Revenue and Banking and Securities are warning Pennsylvanians about phishing scams targeting people who are expecting a stimulus payment from the federal government. The Internal Revenue Service has reported seeing a surge of scam artists perpetrating phishing schemes in which they pose as government officials to trick people into turning over their banking information. Pennsylvanians should never give direct deposit or other banking information to anyone who contacts them on the phone, through email or text messages, or on social media. More details about this scam are available here. More support coming for long-term care homes
ECRI, an independent non-profit health services company, will offer individualized infection control and prevention assistance to long-term care facilities throughout the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Department of Health will coordinate with ECRI to evaluate how facilities are currently working to maximize resources and to provide support for facilities. More information is available here. Guidance issued on building safety and maintenance during COVID-19 pandemic
The Department of Health recently offered guidance for life-sustaining businesses to clean and maintain their facilities during the current public health emergency. Some of the directions include cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas, maintaining existing cleaning protocols, and ensuring each facility has sufficient employees to maintain safety and control building access. The full order from the Department of Health is available here. Volunteer fire departments eligible for federal loan programs UPDATED and state grants
UPDATE: IRC 501(c)(4) status fire companies and other IRC 501(c)(4) organizations are NOT eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans, but they do qualify for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans. Under the federal CARES Act, volunteer fire departments are eligible for two types of federal loans: Emergency Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program loans. For volunteer fire departments with IRC 501(c)(3) or IRC 501(c)(4) status, Emergency Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other costs. If approved, EIDLs provide up to $2 million for working capital, have a 2.75% interest rate for non-profits, and can be repaid over 30 years. Volunteer departments organized as a private non-profit [IRC 501(c)(3) and IRC 501(c)(19)] that pay firefighters are also eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program. This loan is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses and non-profits to keep their workers on the payroll. Loans are forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Furthermore, volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities with fewer than 10,000 residents can apply now for grants of up to $10,000 for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Grant applications are due May 21 by 4 p.m. More details about the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program are available at https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/Dashboard/VFAGrants. Background check requirements temporarily eased for employees serving older PennsylvaniansCOVID-19 mitigation has severely impacted the ability of many employees serving older Pennsylvanians to receive the necessary background checks that are legally required in order for an individual to start working in that environment. The Department of Aging recently announced that applicants who need an FBI background check can be provisionally employed for up to 90 days after applying for a criminal history report. More information about these criminal background checks is available here. Trout fishing season opens early
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced that trout fishing season is officially open for the 2020 season. The early opening is intended to discourage large groups of anglers from concentrating on the traditional opening day, which could have made social distancing difficult. Anglers are encouraged to maintain at least six feet of separation from others, wear a mask or face-covering, avoid sharing fishing gear with others and only fish with members of their own household. Due to the early opening, Mentored Youth Trout Day will be cancelled, but all youth fishing licenses purchased in 2020 will be honored in 2021. More information about the early opening day of trout season is available here. Stay safe – follow these tips
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