“Knowing so many of our local businesses are able to utilize this funding – grants, not loans, as I constantly said to my colleagues and the governor – in these exceptionally difficult economic times provides me both pride and pleasure. I also know our work is not yet done, and I will continue to fight for the men and women who own and operate local businesses not just in our community but throughout the Commonwealth.” Read more

“I’ve worked with my colleagues and the Wolf administration to establish the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business grant program and ensure the long-term success of small businesses throughout the commonwealth,” Shusterman said. “It’s been the most difficult year imaginable for many small business owners, so I’m proud to help bring nearly $1 million in relief back to the 157th Legislative District.” Read more

“It is undeniable that 2020 has been a difficult year for Pennsylvania’s restaurants and bars, foundations of our communities and an important sector of our economy,” Ciresi wrote to the PLCB. “At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic remains a very serious threat, it is clear our restaurants need additional support to help cope with the loss of revenue they are experiencing.” Read more

MALVERN, Oct. 23 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, introduced H.B. 2932 which would require public utility companies to offer customers the option of reporting their monthly payments to credit bureaus to demonstrate a history of on-time recurring payments. “The economic fallout caused by the pandemic has caused many consumers to miss payments, hurting their credit scores,” Howard said. “Consumers striving to establish or repair their credit find an unbalanced system only reporting negative, delinquent payments, while other on-time payments go unreported. “My bill would help consumers build up good credit by requiring that public utilities offer their customers the choice of opting to have their utility payments reported to credit reporting agencies, including timely payments. This measure will allow consumers to opt-in at any time, with no restrictions or expiration date.” According to Howard, Experian was the first credit reporting agency to offer consumers the ability to have on-time utility and rent payments credited to their report to improve their credit score, but the other agencies have yet to offer anything similar. “It’s time we change this credit reporting system to benefit hardworking consumers who pay utility bills on time. My bill would provide a lifeline and help people recover from the financial crisis caused by the pandemic,” Howard said. The bill has been referred to the House Consumer Read more

“I’m thankful for all the work that Representative Sanchez and the other dedicated officials from our region have put in to consistently and strongly advocating on the issue of PFAS,” said Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, D-Glenside. “The advocacy of so many leaders on what began as a little known but pressing threat to our health is now helping power an industry focus on PFAS as well as growing the national conversation on environmental justice and the important role that government and private interests have in delivering it.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – State Rep. John Galloway announced that his H.B. 716, to establish a joint agency task force to address the misclassification of employees in Pennsylvania, unanimously passed the Senate today and awaits Gov. Tom Wolf’s action. “A whole cottage industry has emerged to teach people how to break laws and misclassify workers as independent contractors,” he said. “By taking advantage of loopholes, employers deliberately cut labor costs, pay fewer tax dollars and avoid paying people a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work. “Pennsylvania also could be losing $200 million or more a year in federal income taxes, $10 million in unemployment taxes, at least $15 million in income tax revenues, and as much as $83 million in workers compensation premiums. A misclassified worker also loses an estimated $6,000 in overtime pay due to this illegal practice. “What we’re talking about is money: More than anything else this is a revenue bill. We’re talking about recouping hundreds of millions of dollars lost every single year.” Galloway added that intentionally misclassifying employee labor also creates an uneven playing field, on which law-abiding businesses lose. The bill would amend the Administrative Code of 1929 to establish the Joint Agency Talk Force on the Misclassification of Employees. Members of the task force would include Pennsylvania’s attorney general; secretary of Labor Read more

State Reps. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware, and Austin Davis, D-Allegheny, introduced Lloyd’s Law Wednesday. The bill would end the practice of permitting insurance companies to deny coverage because family members, social workers and other Pennsylvania residents carry or at one time carried the life-saving medication naloxone in attempt to prevent fatal opioid overdoses of others. Read more

“Despite international pressure for a cessation of hostilities, the situation is deteriorating,” Sanchez said. “Artsakh is being attacked mercilessly. Because of this appalling action, I am introducing this resolution to condemn the attacks and Turkey’s involvement.” Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – State Reps. Matt Bradford and Joe Webster, both D-Montgomery, announced a grant of $326,200 for Worcester Township to be used toward development of Zacharias Creek Trail. This investment is part of a statewide announcement of roughly $7.6 million in funding from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Recreation and Conservation grant program. The funding for this particular project will include construction of approximately 1.15 miles of trail from the current Zacharias Creek Trail terminus near Anders Road to Evansburg State Park and a bridge, plus ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. “Trails and other outdoor activities make it easier for people to stay healthy and active during these times we are living in. We are fortunate to have many beautiful recreational areas throughout Montgomery County, and I’m pleased that this funding will help expand Zacharias Creek Trail and give us additional ways to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the pandemic,” Bradford said. Said Webster: "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania saw unprecedented park and trail usage this past spring and summer because of COVID-19. The $326,000 in funding from DCNR for this project will allow us to connect two popular trail networks increasing multimodal access to different green spaces across our county." In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generates $29.1 billion in consumer Read more

“This funding for the joining of our twin boroughs [Spring City and Royersford] with a rehabilitated trestle bridge is another great step toward waterfront revitalization and bringing the towns together,” Ciresi said. “Greater walkability and bike access will improve connections for residents of both boroughs to recreational trails, schools, small businesses and grocery stores, while highlighting the historic industrial link that the trestle bridge once provided.” Read more