Week of July 6 through July 10, 2020
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Top Stories of the Week in Pennsylvania:
July 6, 2020
1. Meet Pa. House Speaker Bryan Cutler
Pennlive sat down with Pennsylvania’s new Speaker of the House to learn more about him and his life and to discuss his plans for the rest of this session.
2. The Penn Capital-Star examines the stopgap budget, part 2
While the majority of the stopgap budget recently passed by the General Assembly remained the same as the previous year’s budget, there are a few differences. The Penn Capital-Star is highlighting a few of those differences, and what they mean for Pennsylvania.
3. With the eviction moratorium coming to a close, can Pennsylvanian’s afford rent?
The order ends on July 10, and many anti-homelessness organizations are concerned that there will be an explosion of evictions around the commonwealth.
4. Senator Browne on why the 5-month stopgap budget was adopted.
ICYMI: Senator Browne, who is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, discusses the reasoning and difficulties around passing a stopgap budget.
July 7, 2020
1. With the COVID-19 pandemic holding our focus, a former epidemic is quietly hurting Pennsylvanians.
The Opioid epidemic, rebounding due to the isolation from COVID-19, could reach pre-2017 overdose death levels.
2. Pennsylvania sees the highest single-day increase of COVID-19 cases in roughly two months.
With an increase of 995 new cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, we may start to see case trends reaching levels similar to what Pennsylvania saw in May.
3. A Second stimulus package gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was quoted saying that “the county needs one last boost”, and that the second stimulus package could be done by the end of the month.
4. Pennsylvania will have both VP Pence and former VP Joe Biden campaigning on Thursday.
Vice President Pence will be in SEPA, while former VP Joe Biden will be campaigning in Scranton.
July 8, 2020
1. Redistricting process in Pennsylvania looks to remain the same.
With COVID-19 sucking the wind out of issues in both chambers of the General Assembly, redistricting reform is one of the many issues that was put on hold.
2. Once children go back to school, they will be required to wear masks.
Guidance released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education stated that children and adults in schools must wear masks.
3. Five Takeaways on the $20 billion in PPP loans Pennsylvania businesses received.
The Morning Call discusses their analysis of the PPP loans throughout the Commonwealth, and their biggest takeaways.
The PHFA’s CARES Rent Relief Program opened its application process on July 6, with applicants facing numerous difficulties when applying for the program. The state eviction moratorium order expires this Saturday.
July 9, 2020
1. With a new wave of COVID-19 cases, it’s getting harder to get tested for the virus.
As Pennsylvania, and the rest of the country are facing increases in COVID-19 cases, the demand for testing is also increasing. With this mixture, more patients are waiting longer to receive their test results, and potentially exposing others to COVID.
2. Pennsylvania Paycheck Protection Program Database.
The Penn Capital-Star has provided a searchable database of all Pennsylvania businesses that received PPP loans of $150,000 or more.
3. Gov. Wolf extends eviction moratorium until August 31.
With the potential for evictions and foreclosures beginning again, Gov. Wolf signed a new executive order to extend the moratorium until August 31.
4. President Trump believes the second stimulus check could be coming soon.
With Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell starting to support a second stimulus, President Trump stated that the second round of stimulus checks could be coming soon.
July 10, 2020
1. For the first time in two months, PA reports over 1,000 new cases of COVID-19.
With COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania increasing over the past week, we have finally hit a mark we have not hit in roughly 2 months – 1,000 new cases in a day.
2. Faulty data on the PPP loans?
Data released by the federal government on PPP loans seems to have quite a few errors, including listing companies that did not apply for loans, or that certain businesses did not use their loan to save jobs.
3. What will schooling look like for kids in the fall?
Pennlive takes a look at the some of the rules and guidance facing parents and children for in-person schooling this fall.
4. The PA House tried to get a veto-proof majority to block a carbon tax in Pennsylvania.
A classic battle: Environmentalists vs Labor.
Top Press Releases of the Week:
July 6, 2020
1. Gov. Wolf Announces $53 Million in Additional Support for Child Care Providers
2. New Laws Honor Local Military Heroes, First Responders
3. Heffley, Knowles Plan Legislation to Resolve Unemployment Compensation Delays
4. CARES Financial Assistance for Renters Through PHFA
July 7, 2020
1. Legislators Join Gov. Wolf in Call for Masking
2. Toohil Supports Proposed Federal Broadband Funding Program for Disadvantaged During COVID-19
4. Department of Health Provides Update on COVID-19, 995 Positives Bring Statewide Total to 91,299
July 8, 2020
1. Kaufer: Medicaid Fraud Doesn’t Just Hurt the System But Those Who Depend On It Most
2. Capping Carbon Pollution Would Save Hundreds of Lives and Billions of Dollars
3. Department of Health: Protect Yourself from Ticks, Mosquitoes When Spending Time Outdoors
4. Human Services Seeks Vendors to Implement Resource and Referral Tool to Improve Health Outcomes
July 9, 2020
1. Gov. Wolf Announces Protections from Foreclosures and Evictions through Aug. 31
2. Gov. Wolf Announces $10 Million Available to Support Pennsylvania’s Food System
4. Senator Yaw Announces Guidelines for $50 Million in Fire & EMS Grants
July 10, 2020
1. Wolf Administration Awards Nearly $19 Million for Homelessness Assistance and Prevention
3. Department of Health: While Enjoying Summer Activities, Take Steps to Protect Your Eyes
4. Applications for $50 Million in Crisis Grants for Fire and EMS Companies Now Available
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