Senator Ward, J E-Newsletter

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In This Update:

  • Stay at Home Order Not Lifted for the 30th Senatorial District With No Explanation
  • PA Senate Response to COVID-19: A Round-up
  • Senate Hearings Scheduled This Week to Examine COVID-19 Response
  • Important Update for UC Applicants Who Have Not Received PINs
  • Expiration Dates Extended for PennDOT Driver Licenses, ID Cards and Learner’s Permits
  • Farmers Markets Prepared to Safely Open Amid COVID-19
  • PennDOT Construction Projects Resume
  • Limited Opening of State Park and Forest Facilities Scheduled

Stay at Home Order Not Lifted for the 30th Senatorial District With No Explanation

The governor’s announcement only highlights the glaring inconsistencies of his reopening plan. Our counties have some of the lowest infection rates in the state, but still remain closed. In fact, some of the counties set to open this  week actually have far more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than our local communities. There is no good reason why our counties should suffer just because the Department of Health decided to lump us in with counties with more confirmed cases.

So many of our local employees and businesses are eager to get back to work with the proper safety measures in place. Every day that we wait pushes more families and businesses closer to the edge of financial ruin.

At a joint public hearing today, I specifically questioned Health Secretary Levine as to why counties in our region were not opened given that we have low cases and our hospitals are ready. Unfortunately, but not surprising, she did not give me a direct answer which was very disappointing. Our communities need to open now and further delay will permanently harm our businesses, workers and families. It makes no sense.

I have supported legislation that would have reopened businesses in PA if they followed health and safety guidelines but the Governor vetoed it. I wholeheartedly support  SR 323, that would terminate the disaster emergency declaration due to COVID-19 in PA.

I have also signed on to a letter sent to U.S. Attorney Barr applauding him for his memo to the Department of Justice to monitor state and local policies, and to urge the Department to review the policies implemented by Governor Wolf in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 emergency.

Please know that I will continue to fight to reopen our counties and challenge the Governor’s overreach.

To view todays hearing…

5/4/20 – Wolf Administration’s Plan for Reopening PA

PA Senate Response to COVID-19: A Round-up

Protecting Lives and Livelihoods

The COVID-19 public health emergency has presented Pennsylvania with unprecedented medical and economic challenges, claiming more than 2,300 lives and upending millions more. The Pennsylvania Senate has been meeting via teleconference technology to provide the tools to protect public health, deliver a lifeline to those forced out of work, and complete the urgent task of safely reopening the commonwealth.

Some of the key measures approved by the Senate: 

  • More masks, gloves and Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers. House Bill 1232 (Act 10 of 2020)
  • Immediate assistance to keep hospitals running. House Bill 1232 (Act 10 of 2020)
  • Better reporting of COVID-19 cases in local communities and nursing homes. Senate Bill 1110
  • COVID-19 medical coverage for police, EMS and other first responders. House Bill 1869 (Act 17 of 2020)
  • More accessible Unemployment Compensation for workers who lost hours or jobs. House Bill 68 (Act 9 of 2020)
  • Help for workers who need to obtain FBI criminal background checks for their jobs. House Bill 360
  • Extended deadlines for property tax discount rates. Senate Bill 841(Act 15 of 2020)
  • Standards ensuring students continue to learn during COVID-19 emergency. Senate Bill 751 (Act 13 of 2020)
  • Remote municipal meeting authorization for safe and transparent local meetings. Senate Bill 841(Act 15 of 2020)
  • Remote notary authorization so more employers can safely conduct business. Senate Bill 841(Act 15 of 2020)
  • Guidance for the legal system to operate during public emergencies. Senate Bill 1119 Senate Bill 1120
  • A plan for PA counties to let citizens return to work based on nationally recognized safety standards. Senate Bill 327

Our work on this emergency won’t end until all Pennsylvanians can work and move about freely. You can follow our efforts during Senate session here and committee activity here. I will keep you informed of additional legislative action in these email updates. 

Stay-At-Home Order Lifted for 24 PA Counties Effective May 8

Although Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home order for COVID-19 currently remains in effect for all counties in Pennsylvania, 24 counties will see these restrictions lifted beginning on May 8. Counties in northwest and northcentral Pennsylvania will move to the yellow phase of reopening, which allows businesses with in-person operations to open under strict health guidelines and business safety orders.

Counties moving to the yellow phase include: Bradford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Venango, and Warren.

More information about current plans to reopen Pennsylvania is outlined here.

While the governor’s action is a small step in the right direction, I believe employers and small businesses in more counties could continue to operate safely with the proper guidance of the Centers for Disease Control. I will continue to fight to see more counties and industries opened safely as soon as possible.

Senate Hearings Scheduled This Week to Examine COVID-19 Response

A series of four hearings is scheduled this week to examine various aspects of the Wolf Administration’s response to COVID-19. Committee members will question administration officials directly via remote technology, and the hearings will be streamed live at www.pasenategop.com.

  • Monday 10 a.m.: The Senate Local Government Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee takes a closer look at Governor Wolf’s approach to reopening Pennsylvania.
  • Tuesday 1 p.m.: The Senate Labor and Industry Committee and Senate Communications and Technology Committee examines some of the serious issues plaguing Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation system.
  • Wednesday 10 a.m.: The Senate Law and Justice Committee examines troubles with state Wine & Spirits shops during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Thursday 10:30 a.m.: The Senate Aging and Youth Committee discusses nursing homes and the challenges they face during COVID-19. 

Video and details from the hearings will be available here. 

Important Update for UC Applicants Who Have Not Received PINs

Many workers who are trying to file for unemployment benefits have reported long delays in receiving a PIN. The Office of Unemployment Compensation is advising claimants that if they do not receive a PIN within three weeks, they should complete a PIN Reset Request online.

Once applicants receive their PIN, they can file for all missed weeks dating back to the first missed week of work. More information on the Unemployment Compensation system is available here. 

Expiration Dates Extended for PennDOT Driver Licenses, ID Cards and Learner’s Permits

PennDOT announced last week that Pennsylvanians who have an expiring driver license, photo identification card or learner’s permit will have more time to renew them. Any of these items scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2020, are now extended through June 30, 2020.

PennDOT’s Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers remain closed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, many services can still be completed online. 

Farmers Markets Prepared to Safely Open Amid COVID-19

Farmers markets, like grocery stores, offer life-sustaining food and essentials and have been provided guidance from the Department of Agriculture on ways to safely operate and minimize risks during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The guidance also offers farms the opportunity to open an on-farm stand to sell raw produce, eggs, or shelf stable packaged foods such as jams, jellies, or baked goods without additional food safety licenses. More information about Pennsylvania’s farm markets is available at pafarm.com. 

PennDOT Construction Projects Resume

As part of the governor’s announcement that construction projects could resume in Pennsylvania on May 1, PennDOT highway and bridge projects will also be allowed to continue with new safety precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additional details about PennDOT construction projects are available at PennDOT.gov.

Limited Opening of State Park and Forest Facilities Scheduled

As the warmer spring weather sends more Pennsylvanians looking for safe recreation opportunities, a limited number of state park and forest facilities are scheduled to reopen in the days and weeks ahead.

The reopenings include at least one restroom in day-use areas in state parks, forests and marinas effective May 8; all nine marinas in state parks effective May 8 unless otherwise designated; and all three public golf courses in the system. State park facilities in counties in the yellow phase of reopening will also be open to the public beginning on May 15. More

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