coronavirus-relief
‘This couldn’t come at a better time’: Philly launches grant program for gyms, restaurants hit by pandemic
The new program was made possible through the latest allocation of funding for small business relief from a mid-year transfer of city general fund dollars in December 2020.
Five things the Legislature can do to make Pennsylvanians’ lives measurably better in 2021 | John L. Micek
This new time calls for a reset on everything. The dawning of a new year offers just such and opportunity. The 253 members of the General Assembly should not squander it.
U.S. House overrides Trump veto; approves $2k stim payments: How Pa. lawmakers voted
The Senate is not expected to approve the expanded payments that President Donald Trump demanded.
Congress passes massive ‘first step’ in pandemic relief with $900B package
House leaders divided the bill into two parts and passed the emergency relief portion on a 359-53 vote. Another portion, which included Pentagon and other spending for the coming year, passed 327-85. The Senate combined the two bills and cleared the package in an overwhelming 92-6 vote shortly before midnight.
What’s in the $900B emergency relief bill—and what’s out
By Laura Olson and Ariana Figueroa WASHINGTON— Congress is set to pass a massive bipartisan emergency relief bill that’s intended to aid Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Summaries from House Democratic appropriators say it includes: DIRECT CHECKS —$166 billion in another round of economic impact payments that will go directly to Americans. —$600 stimulus checks […]
Pa.’s Toomey spearheading push to end emergency pandemic lending program, report
The Washington Post reports that the issue is holding progress on relief talks. The program was created in the CARES Act in March.
Pa. should use up its $1B reserve before asking Congress for more COVID cash, Republicans say
With relief talks in park and no signs of a restart, Pa. Republicans on Capitol Hill say their home state needs to spend what it has before asking for more.
The road to a COVID-19 recovery has to include transit funding | Opinion
Pennsylvania’s working families deserve a stimulus that promotes good jobs and a healthy environment.
While states look for help, Congress heads home | Editorial Cartoon
Congress headed home for the weekend without passing a COVID-19 relief bill bill. States like Pennsylvania, meanwhile, are still looking for help.
Trump does end run on Congress; signs executive order extending unemployment benefits, suspends payroll taxes
Trump said the actions would “take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.” But Democrats in Congress are likely to continue pushing for a broader legislative package similar to the $3 trillion relief bill the House passed in May.
Republican senator presses reluctant GOP leadership for billions in state, local aid in next relief deal
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is pressing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for $500 billion in assistance to states.
Pa. transit advocates, unions call on Casey, Toomey to beef up public transit funding in next coronavirus relief package
The advocates want the two lawmakers to push for getting $32 billion in transit funding into the stimulus bill now under consideration in Washington.