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Solomon to provide free food to Northeast Philadelphia communities tomorrow

(Apr 22, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, April 22 – In light of COVID-19, state Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., will team up with community partners to provide free meals to various communities in Northeast Philadelphia. At 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23, Solomon will join Matt Rossi, owner of Nick’s Roast Beef on Cottman Avenue, to provide free meals to hundreds of residents at the restaurant, 2210 Cottman Ave., 19149. Meals will be distributed in the parking lot across the street. At noon, Friday, April 24 , Solomon will provide free meals to 300 people with Orlando Jacome, owner of Tio Pepe Restaurant, at 6618 Castor Ave., 19149. Media coverage is invited. Read more

 

Frankel to introduce systemic testing, tracing bill for Pennsylvania

(Apr 22, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Legislation will urge reinvestment in health care capabilities to address COVID-19 threat Read more

 

Reps. Kenyatta, Burgos and Fiedler urge Congress to include undocumented workers in any COVID-19 response legislation

(Apr 17, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 17 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, Danilo Burgos and Elizabeth Fiedler, all D-Phila., introduced a resolution urging Congress to also acknowledge the roughly 10 million undocumented workers in any COVID-19 financial response legislation. The resolution comes as the federal government issues portions of the historic $2 trillion financial assistance package to individuals and businesses to help mitigate the adverse economic impacts resulting from the pandemic. “There are roughly over 10 million undocumented people living in America paying billions of dollars in state and federal taxes yearly, yet many will never benefit from the services they constantly contribute to,” said Kenyatta, who represents the 181 st Legislative District. “In this time of desperation, our government should not be complicit in watching this vulnerable population that has time and again proven themselves to be a pillar of America’s economy continue to suffer.” Burgos, representing the 197 th District, concurred with Kenyatta saying, “Undocumented immigrants consistently pay about 8 percent of their income in taxes, a sizeable percentage for many who are relegated to working low-paying jobs with no benefits. These workers produce many of the essential goods we heavily rely on, even more so during this pandemic, yet they receive nothing for their labor.” Adding to Burgos’ assertion, Read more

 

Resolution by Hanbidge, Hohenstein urges U.S. Congress to act on legislation to cover hearing aid costs

(Apr 15, 2020) Rep. Liz Hanbidge, Rep. Joseph C. Hohenstein

In Pennsylvania, hearing aids are only required to be covered for Medicaid recipients under age 21, while all other populations in need of hearing assistance are forced to pay for hearing aids out of pocket, with the average cost being $2,300. Read more

 

Burns protects PA workers, puts people’s lives before profits

(Apr 14, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Sides with medical experts on coronavirus timeline Read more

 

Amazon is playing whack-a-mole with coronavirus price gouging and it’s harming Pennsylvanians | Opinion

(Apr 13, 2020) Rep. Mary Jo Daley

When you need it to stay safe from a dangerous virus, it’s simply not right for companies to continue enabling people to prey on the emergency. These companies form the backbone of online retail and have an obligation to stop illegal price gouging now and put strong practices into place to stop it from happening in the future. Read more

 

Burns co-sponsors legislation to put money in taxpayers’ pockets

(Apr 13, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Proposed legislation would exempt stimulus checks from local, state taxes Read more

 

Burns skeptical of governor’s medical supplies redistribution order, as Cambria records first COVID-19 death

(Apr 09, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Burns, D-Cambria, fears that Wolf’s order may rob Conemaugh Health System of badly needed supplies Read more

 

Isaacson introduces legislation to allow Unemployment Compensation applicants to receive PIN electronically

(Apr 08, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

HARRISBURG, April 8 – With a record number of Pennsylvanians applying for Unemployment Compensation benefits after suffering a loss of wages because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Mary Isaacson has introduced legislation to allow those applicants to receive their Personal Identification Number, or PIN, electronically. “Life for so many Pennsylvanians has been upended,” Isaacson said. “People are worried about how they will pay their bills, how they will be able to afford the things they need in the midst of this pandemic, and their ability to receive Unemployment Compensation benefits in this chaotic time is hampered by an antiquated system. “Right now, the only way a person filing for Unemployment Compensation can receive their PIN is through snail mail,” Isaacson continued. “But we can and must do better for Pennsylvanians in need. That’s why I’m introducing legislation to require the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to create an electronic delivery method for PINs needed for the unemployment compensation system, to provide people with another option.” Isaacson’s legislation would give Unemployment Compensation applicants the option to select to use the electronic delivery method during the application process, with traditional mail delivery being the default method. Since March 15, more than 1.1 million people have filed for Unemployment Compensation in Pennsylvania. ### Read more

 

Burns urges local schools to apply for COVID-19 remote learning grants

(Apr 08, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

State Rep. keeps fighting for Cambria County students, families Read more

 

Kenyatta: Trio of bills will have disastrous consequences as pandemic reaches its peak

(Apr 08, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, April 8 – Today, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., expressed disapproval of bills (H.B. 2400, H.B. 2376, and H.B. 1874) introduced by House Republicans that would reopen industries that are classified as non-life saving in Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts: “It’s absolutely ludicrous to even contemplate going against everything state, national and global medical experts are urging residents to do to reduce the spread of this fatal virus,” Kenyatta said. “Opening businesses that are not essential during a time when this pandemic is soon poised to reach its peak will have disastrous consequences. For one, our health care systems will be overloaded with the inevitable uptick of new cases, compounded by the existing cases it’s already struggling to quell. Additionally, these bills lack foresight into offering provisions like paid sick leave and hazard pay for these employees who will be most at-risk for exposure. However, I expect nothing more from the same members of our legislature who denied many of these employees fair pay by voting against increasing the minimum wage, but are now conveniently coding them as essential for cheap profit. “We’re battling a very dangerous, yet invisible threat that is an unprecedented occurrence in our lifetime right now, which incites feelings of confusion and fear among so many Pennsylvanians who are looking to us as legislators for the Read more

 

Rep. Kenyatta pens letter to Gov. Wolf urging relief for essential workers in Pa.

(Apr 08, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

PHILADELPHIA, April 8 – In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., today penned a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, expressing his gratitude for the governor’s swift pandemic mitigation responses, and requested immediate relief and assistance to Pennsylvanians employed in essential industries. In his letter, which was endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers union and currently has over 47 signatures -- including leadership and three delegation chairs -- Kenyatta pointed out that Pennsylvanians working at jobs deemed essential are still lacking essential benefits, while they put themselves at risk to ensure many other Pennsylvanians are provided food, medicine, gas and other necessities. “Despite tactics to undermine leadership by the governor and his administration, Pennsylvanians commend his actions in keeping us all safe during this trying time,” Kenyatta said. “Those actions should also include active recognition that many of our neighbors on the frontlines working essential jobs continue to do so without proper provisions like hazard pay and expanded sick leave, among other crucial benefits. These heroes cannot be forgotten, and they deserve assurance and security.” A link to the letter can be found on Kenyatta’s website . Read more

 

Rep. Daley's response to Speaker Turzai's April 2 Inquirer column

(Apr 07, 2020) Rep. Mary Jo Daley

Governor Wolf and Dr. Levine are not only battling COVID-19 without adequate reserves, they’re also doing so with an anemic general fund, a frustrating and now dangerous hallmark of your majority’s control. Read more

 

Burns: Grants available to help volunteer fire companies battle wildfires

(Apr 07, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Grants can be used for equipment, vehicles, radios and training Read more

 

Burns commends creation of Pa. Manufacturing Call to Action portal to combat COVID-19

(Apr 06, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Saturday announcement dovetails with Burns’ March 18 request Read more

 

COVID-19 support for PA business

(Apr 02, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

COVID-19 SUPPORT FOR PA BUSINESSES FEDERAL Contacts: Visit: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/?type=SBA%20District%20Office&pageNumber=1 to find your local Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office Programs: Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Information Visit: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – Loan Program and Forgiveness to help eligible businesses cover the costs of payroll, health care benefits, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities during COVID-19. Loan has a maturity of 2 years and interest rate of 1.0%. Open to small businesses, restaurants, hotels, tribal businesses, non-profits, independent contractors, and gig economy workers. Contact your local lender to see if they participate in this program! Loan period: February 15, 2020 through June 30, 2020. Visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp . Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Loan – Loans up to $2 million for small businesses (3.75% interest rate) and private, nonprofit organizations (2.75% interest rate) suffering as a result of COVID-19. Loans for fix debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills. Advance of up Read more

 

Burns proposes ‘American Made’ legislation to create thousands of jobs, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains

(Mar 31, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Lawmaker crafting bills to bring manufacturing back to U.S.A. Read more

 

Pennsylvanians’ reproductive rights under attack amid pandemic

(Mar 30, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Lawmaker urges Wolf to defend families’ rights from cynical attacks Read more

 

Burns supports $30 million in emergency grants for fire, EMS companies during coronavirus crisis

(Mar 27, 2020) Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Bill would provide one-time grants to support their efforts Read more

 

Kim reminds Pennsylvanians that hate and discrimination will not be tolerated during the COVID-19 public health crisis

(Mar 26, 2020) Rep. Patty Kim

HARRISBURG, MARCH 26 – State Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin, today said she is joining with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to push back on hate crimes and advocate for tolerance during the coronavirus, COVID-19 global pandemic. “I want to thank the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and its executive director, Chad Lassiter, for standing behind our Asian-American community," Kim said. "We want to remind Pennsylvanians that it is unacceptable to tolerate racial slurs, xenophobic attacks and harassment, especially during this global pandemic. It’s wrong to shift blame or accuse Asian-Americans for this crisis. Pathogens do not discriminate. I stand ready to help and protect anyone who is being discriminated against during the COVID-19 crisis. Moving forward, do not hesitate to contact my office for direct assistance and to report these instances of abuse and harassment. We stand united together in our fight against hate.” “In response to the many calls received by both the PHRC and the office of Representative Kim, we want you to know that we are taking those communications and responding as quickly as possible,” said Lassiter. “We are setting up a rapid response system that will allow us to address acts of discrimination in this emergency that are initiated based on the COVID-19 pandemic. PHRC is pleased to be working with Representative Kim and other partners to address unacceptable Read more

 

Solomon to provide free food to Northeast Philadelphia communities tomorrow
Apr 22, 2020

Frankel to introduce systemic testing, tracing bill for Pennsylvania
Apr 22, 2020

Reps. Kenyatta, Burgos and Fiedler urge Congress to include undocumented workers in any COVID-19 response legislation
Apr 17, 2020

Resolution by Hanbidge, Hohenstein urges U.S. Congress to act on legislation to cover hearing aid costs
Apr 15, 2020

Burns protects PA workers, puts people’s lives before profits
Apr 14, 2020

Amazon is playing whack-a-mole with coronavirus price gouging and it’s harming Pennsylvanians | Opinion
Apr 13, 2020

Burns co-sponsors legislation to put money in taxpayers’ pockets
Apr 13, 2020

Burns skeptical of governor’s medical supplies redistribution order, as Cambria records first COVID-19 death
Apr 09, 2020

Isaacson introduces legislation to allow Unemployment Compensation applicants to receive PIN electronically
Apr 08, 2020

Burns urges local schools to apply for COVID-19 remote learning grants
Apr 08, 2020

Kenyatta: Trio of bills will have disastrous consequences as pandemic reaches its peak
Apr 08, 2020

Rep. Kenyatta pens letter to Gov. Wolf urging relief for essential workers in Pa.
Apr 08, 2020

Rep. Daley's response to Speaker Turzai's April 2 Inquirer column
Apr 07, 2020

Burns: Grants available to help volunteer fire companies battle wildfires
Apr 07, 2020

Burns commends creation of Pa. Manufacturing Call to Action portal to combat COVID-19
Apr 06, 2020

COVID-19 support for PA business
Apr 02, 2020

Burns proposes ‘American Made’ legislation to create thousands of jobs, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains
Mar 31, 2020

Pennsylvanians’ reproductive rights under attack amid pandemic
Mar 30, 2020

Burns supports $30 million in emergency grants for fire, EMS companies during coronavirus crisis
Mar 27, 2020

Kim reminds Pennsylvanians that hate and discrimination will not be tolerated during the COVID-19 public health crisis
Mar 26, 2020