Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more
Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 23 – A bill which would provide worker protections to essential workers in Pennsylvania’s food industries was unanimously reported out of the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today. “This bill goes beyond protecting food industry workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it will also protect all of us who are buying food for our families,” Kosierowski said. “I am pleased to see the unanimous, bipartisan support on this crucial bill and hope the full state Senate acts quickly to provide these much-needed protections.” Kosierowski authored the bill that would create a Food Establishment Pandemic Disease Remediation Cost Reimbursement Grant Program within the state Department of Agriculture to help food packers and processors pay for personal protective equipment for workers, physical barriers to help protect workers, the cost of hand washing stations, enhanced sanitation efforts and medical monitoring such as temperature checks of employees. House Bill 2435 now heads to the state Senate for further consideration. Read more
TAYLOR, May 21 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today she has joined others in asking Gov. Tom Wolf to allow curbside transactions for retail businesses still shuttered by the administration’s closure order, including those in Lackawanna County. Read more
A bill that would protect people working in Pennsylvania’s long-term care facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been introduced in the PA House, according to prime co-sponsor state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. Read more
TAYLOR, May 8 – State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, is encouraging area school districts to consider applying for funds to assist them in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Education submitted an application to the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Once the state’s application is approved, school districts will need to apply for the funding. “We’ve already observed the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our educational system, and, as we move forward, our schools will need the ability to properly face any additional challenges that come their way,” Kosierowski said. “Funding like this will aid our districts in ensuring quality education in a safe environment.” Locally, it is anticipated that school districts would receive the following funding: Abington Heights School District: $226,310 Carbondale Area School District: $629,788 Forrest City Regional School District: $187,215 Lakeland School District: $196,233 Mid Valley School District: $486,487 Old Forge School District: $186,968 Riverside School District: $323,316 The U.S. Department of Education is expected to approve the application within a week and is working on a streamlined application process to ensure Read more
HARRISBURG, April 30 – A bill that would protect Pennsylvania’s food supply chain workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic unanimously passed the House today, according to prime sponsor Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. “If our hardworking food packing and processing workers contract COVID-19, that can create a serious disruption of available food for families to put on their tables,” Kosierowski said. “I am pleased to see my colleagues working in a bipartisan way to recognize the seriousness of this issue and voting not only to protect our food processing workers, but also to ensure our food supply will also be protected.” Her legislation would create a Food Establishment Pandemic Disease Remediation Cost Reimbursement Grant Program within the state Department of Agriculture to help food packers and processors pay for personal protective equipment for workers, physical barriers to help protect workers, the cost of hand washing stations, enhanced sanitation efforts and medical monitoring such as temperature checks of employees. House Bill 2435 now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski speaks about her bill that would help food processing plants pay for personal protective equipment for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski discusses her legislation which would require the state's Independent Fiscal Office to track funding from the federal CARES Act going directly to local entities and not flowing through the state. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski speaks about H.B. 2435, her legislation that would create a state grant program to help food processing plants pay for PPE to keep their workers safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 24 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, today introduced a bill which would protect Pennsylvania’s food supply chain amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The idea of not being able to provide food for our families is one of the most terrifying thoughts to have during a major crisis,” Kosierowski said. “This bill would not only make sure we continue to have enough food, but also protect the brave, essential workers who are processing and packing that food for us.” Her legislation would create a Food Processing Plant Reimbursement Program to help the Department of Agriculture pay for personal protective equipment for workers and more frequent cleaning of plants and facilities to help reduce the number of workers who become infected. Kosierowski said H.B. 2435 will be referred to a committee for consideration when the House returns to session Monday. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski spoke in opposition to Senate Bill 613, advocating for the health and safety of health care workers amid a push to reopen the state in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
In Pennsylvania, everyone counts and April 1 is National Census Day! If you haven’t already, don't forget to fill out your census form. Our population count determines our voice in government and how much federal funding we’ll receive for education, health care, transportation and more. Whether you respond online, mail or by phone , participate and help shape PA’s future. Your responses are anonymous and protected by law. To learn more, visit pa.gov/census #PAcounts #2020Census Read more
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting Pennsylvania, we wanted to provide you with the following resources and information to help you and your family in the days ahead. Please note that this webpage will be updated as needed with additional information and resources. State Services and Resources The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has created a COVID-19 guide to assist everyone. It includes information on social distancing, mental health resources, unemployment, food assistance, changes from PennDOT and resources for small business: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/ For individuals : https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForIndividuals For families : https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForFamilies For businesses : https://dced.pa.gov/resources COVID Support for PA Businesses : The following provides information and and links to federal, state, local and private resources. https://www.pahouse.com/News/?id=113388 **Self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers: Apply here for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits .** https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForBusinessesUtilities Information from the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry on the federal CARES Act: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/CARES-Act/Pages/default.aspx The following link provides you with Read more
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has established a new resource account where businesses and staff can submit questions on exemptions regarding the closure of physical locations for non-life-sustaining businesses in the Commonwealth. Businesses seeking exemptions from closure: Please contact ra-dcexemptions@pa.gov . Other questions about closures can be directed to ra-dcedcs@pa.gov . For more COVID-19 business information, DCED has set up a web site that continually will be updated as information becomes available: https://dced.pa.gov/resources . Read more
HARRISBURG, March 13 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, is alerting residents that her district office will close to the public and operations will be by telephone and email only starting Monday, March 16 to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. “As both a registered nurse and a legislator I understand how necessary this step is to keep our residents and my staff safe and prevent the virus from spreading,” Kosierowski said. “I am continuing to monitor COVID-19 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the PA Department of Health, and the Lackawanna County State Health Center.” Kosierowski added that residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19, such as: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (time to sing the Happy Birthday song twice). Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or use a tissue. Do not use your hands . Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, door handles, stair rails and other frequently touched items. Avoid touching your hands to your face, eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or disinfectant wipe. If you are sick, Read more
HARRISBURG, March 6 – State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, today introduced legislation that would expand maternal home visits to give new parents the tools they need to ensure their children grow up healthy. “ Motherhood is already challenging for those who know where their next meal is coming from, have secure housing, are financially stable, and have the support of family and friends. But what about the mothers who don’t, where do they turn?” Kosierowski said. “This bill will help our kids and save money in the long run by providing better health outcomes and improved child development.” House Bill 2335 would direct the Department of Health to create a plan to make maternal home visits available to every parent who needs or wants them. Federal dollars would be used to support the program. It would also set up strict accountability and evaluation standards to know these infants and parents are getting the best possible care and attention. Maternal home visits bring in professionals like nurses and social workers to provide additional support to families or single parents, babies facing medical issues, or parents struggling with limited resources. The bill is awaiting referral to a committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 2 – A Clarks Summit organization has been awarded a $50,000 federal grant to assist its programs to help veterans overcome opioid addiction, state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, announced today. Kosierowski said The Treatment Court Advocacy Center of Lackawanna County will use the funding to provide case management, family assessments and family service plans for veterans suffering from opioid use. TCAC helps individuals in various Lackawanna County Treatment/Problem solving Courts as they work to achieve sober, drug free and productive lives. “Our veterans sacrifice so much to protect our country and our freedom, and sadly many of them return from service battling a different enemy, drug addiction,” Kosierowski said. “This funding will help provide needed treatment and support to the selfless heroes affected by opioid use disorder.” The funding is part of $1 million in federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants awarded to seven programs across Pennsylvania which offer treatment and recovery, suicide prevention services, homelessness support and other programs to help veterans overcome their addiction disorder. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski helped secure a $300,000 grant for repairs and upgrades to the aging borough building in Old Forge. Read more
A total of $361,253 in state funding has been awarded to five schools within the 114th Legislative District to support and implement school safety initiatives, announced state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. Read more
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