Citing the sweeping economic impact of the Governor’s COVID-19 business closure order, Senator Dave Arnold (R-48) is backing legislation that would allow for waivers for construction activities that use appropriate mitigation measures to prevent exposure to the virus.   [Read More]

Recognizing that the ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis is placing a severe financial crisis on Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire companies and EMS squads, Senators Joe Pittman (R-41st) and Camera Bartolotta (R-46th) are introducing legislation to establish a special one-time grant program to support those vital first responders.   [Read More]

State Senator John Yudichak (I-14), Senator John Gordner (R-27), Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) and Representative Aaron Kaufer (R -120) issued the following statement regarding the passage of House Bill 68, which makes changes to Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation law to address the COVID-19 coronavirus, and the federal CARES Act which has passed Congress.   [Read More]

Senators Scott Martin (R-13) and Ryan Aument (R-36) are calling on Governor Wolf to add automotive sales –provided they are conducted remotely or electronically, with vehicle return and delivery in-person by appointment only – to the list of life-sustaining businesses permitted to operate during the coronavirus pandemic due to the essential nature of their services.   [Read More]

State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33) intends to introduce legislation that would update Pennsylvania’s Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955.   [Read More]

The Senate convened remotely today to pass several bills to keep Pennsylvania moving forward during the COVID-19 coronavirus public health emergency, according to Senate Republican leaders.   They said the first-ever remote gathering of the Senate was necessary to pass timely legislation related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.    [Read More]

Senator Scott Martin (R-13) is demanding that the Wolf Administration revise restrictions that are preventing dentists from serving patients who have a dental emergency.   [Read More]

The Senate plans to convene on at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, to consider a number of measures designed to offer relief to Pennsylvanians affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus.   [Read More]

Senator Tom Killion (R-Chester and Delaware) added his voice to a call from county officials in southeastern Pennsylvania to delay the 2020 Primary Election.   [Read More]

Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Dan Laughlin (R-49) today urged the Governor and their colleagues to incorporate adequate additional funding for nursing homes serving Medicaid patients requiring ventilator and tracheostomy care as part of Pennsylvania’s comprehensive efforts to respond to the public health crisis.     [Read More]

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34), Senate Majority Whip John Gordner (R-27) and Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne (R-16) today issued the following response to the Governor’s order that “non-life-sustaining” employers in Pennsylvania close their physical locations:   [Read More]

Senator Tom Killion (R-Chester and Delaware) announced today his co-sponsorship of comprehensive legislation that will waive the 180 instructional-day requirement for Pennsylvania schools and require the commonwealth to apply for an exemption from federal standardized testing requirements due to public health measures taken in response to the COVID-19 emergency.   [Read More]

Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 across the Commonwealth, Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, has introduced a comprehensive bill that addresses issues raised by the mandatory closure on March 16 of all Pennsylvania schools.   [Read More]

Today the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) took the first step in providing relief to Pennsylvania small businesses impacted by COVID-19 by authorizing the transfer of $40 million to the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), announced Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25).    [Read More]

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) have issued the following statement regarding session taking place on Wednesday, March 18, 2020: The Senate will convene for session on Wednesday, March 18, at 1:00 p.m.    [Read More]