Today, the PA Senate hosted its first ever remote voting session. A handful of Senators went to Harrisburg and voted from the floor, but the vast majority participated in the voting session from their homes or offices in their districts. This was historic and unprecedented. The session was streamed live online and to the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN), in an effort to maintain the highest level of transparency.

We were able to pass three major pieces of legislation to address concerns raised by the COVID 19 outbreak.

• We voted to move the April 28 primary election to June 2 and will allow counties to determine whether polling locations should be merged. Their plans to consolidate locations will have to be approved by the Department of State
  
  
• We voted for a bill that will allow for continuity in public education and offer protections to students and teachers, including: waiving the 180 day requirement, ensuring that school employees will keep their compensation and benefits; and hold schools harmless for state mandates that are not able to be met this year
  
  
• We voted to change some requirements for unemployment compensation: waiving the one week waiting requirement and job search requirement, and shielding employers from charges

All of these bills are expected to be signed by the Governor as soon as they reach his desk. I believe they will provide real relief to Pennsylvanians and I’m glad we were able to convene and work in a bipartisan, bicameral way to reach solutions quickly in this crisis.

Small Business Assistance

I know that small business owners have been hit particularly hard by mandated closures during this health crisis, but there are state and federal programs being created to offer some relief. My office stands ready to help you with that bureaucracy. Please give us a call.

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