More than 15,000 join McClinton, other lawmakers for COVID-19 telephone town hall
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton April 30, 2020 | 5:19 PM
State Rep. Joanna McClinton is applauding the more than 15,000 Pennsylvanians who joined her and other state lawmakers for a telephone town hall to address public concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As legislators, we have a responsibility to the families we serve to connect them with the resources and information they need to help overcome this health crisis," said McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware. "The sheer number of participants illustrates the importance of these conversations. It gave us the opportunity to hear first-hand the struggles people are facing, which ultimately assists in our fight to find solutions to move the commonwealth forward."
From small business owners and Social Security recipients to individuals who rely on assistance programs, McClinton helped answer questions about COVID-19 last Wednesday while stressing the need to protect the commonwealth and reopen the economy safely.
"I'm proud to support the House Democrats' PA HEALS plan that's dedicated to putting people first, taking care of employees on the front lines and supporting community-based businesses," McClinton explained. "Reopening the economy too fast would hurt our efforts to stop the spread of the virus, overwhelm our healthcare system and lead to a longer shutdown."
The PA HEALS plan includes legislation that would:
- Use $100 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to provide 0% loans to smaller, local businesses that were shut out of the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Loan Program when it ran out of funding in just a few days.
- Create a grant program reserved for businesses with 30 or fewer employees and earning less than $3 million a year.
- Provide assistance for local nonprofits and community organizations so they can continue providing critical services like food, health and crisis care, counseling, housing, and more.
McClinton participated in the tele-town hall, which was hosted by SiX – the State Innovation Exchange, with state Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny, and state Sens. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, and Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny.
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