Schweyer, Schlossberg introduce bill to provide more support to nonprofits during COVID-19
Rep. Peter G. Schweyer May 13, 2020 | 2:07 PM
HARRISBURG, MAY 13 – A new bill which would provide additional financial support to nonprofit organizations serving Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic was introduced this week, according to state Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg, both D-Lehigh.
“Nonprofit organizations not only protect the health and wellbeing of our residents, they also employ a substantial number of people. I have heard from many nonprofits who are in desperate need of financial assistance to keep their employees working,” Schweyer said. “We cannot turn our backs on them during this crisis.”
House Bill 2515 would transfer $100 million from the Rainy Day Fund to re-open the state’s COVID-19 Working Capital Access loan program to additional small businesses. It would also open the loan program to nonprofit organizations with 100 or fewer employees and that provide critical services such as domestic violence and rape crisis services, health and counseling services, homeless shelters, hunger-relief services, and more.
“By strengthening our nonprofits, we strengthen our entire community, help our people and alleviate the government of the need to engage in monstrous spending projects,” Schlossberg said. “We have to do whatever we can to ensure these community organizations survive and thrive.”
Schweyer added that H.B. 2515 will be assigned to a committee when the House returns to session.