Senator Langerholc E-Newsletter

View this email in a browser

In This Update:

  • Stay-At-Home Order Lifted for 24 PA Counties Effective May 8
  • Important Update for UC Applicants Who Have Not Received PINs
  • Vote for Downtown Bedford
  • PA Senate Response to COVID-19: A Round-up
  • Senate Hearings Scheduled This Week to Examine COVID-19 Response
  • Expiration Dates Extended for PennDOT Driver Licenses, ID Cards and Learner’s Permits
  • Farmers Markets Prepared to Safely Open Amid COVID-19
  • PennDOT Construction Projects Resume
  • Limited Opening of State Park and Forest Facilities Scheduled

Stay-At-Home Order Lifted for 24 PA Counties Effective May 8

The video below are my comments when the governor made the announcement last week on which counties would have the stay-at-home order lifted. I was extremely frustrated, as many of my colleagues were, that counties were held hostage to a “regional” opening vs. a county by county opening. 

5/4/20 - Langerholc

In addition, I had the opportunity to participate in a joint hearing as a member of the Senate Local Government Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee as they took a closer look at Governor Wolf’s approach to reopening Pennsylvania.  I was extremely disappointed that Secretary Davin from the Department of Community and Economic Development did not make it known that he had to leave the hearing due to a time constraint.  I did not have an opportunity to address my concerns with the waiver process.

5/4/20 - Q&A with Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine

View the entire hearing here.

Important Update for UC Applicants Who Have Not Received PINs

Many workers who are trying to file for unemployment benefits have reported long delays in receiving a PIN. The Office of Unemployment Compensation is advising claimants that if they do not receive a PIN within three weeks, they should complete a PIN Reset Request online.

Once applicants receive their PIN, they can file for all missed weeks dating back to the first missed week of work. More information on the Unemployment Compensation system is available here. 

Vote for Downtown Bedford

Downtown Bedford, Inc. was one of 160 entrants in the Independent We Stand, America’s Main Street contest. They not only are a quarterfinalist, they are also the only location in PA moving forward in the TOP 25!  Please visit https://www.mainstreetcontest.com/profile/82 between now and May 24th to place your vote. Remember, you can vote up to 25 times per day.

PA Senate Response to COVID-19: A Round-up

Protecting Lives and Livelihoods

The COVID-19 public health emergency has presented Pennsylvania with unprecedented medical and economic challenges, claiming more than 2,300 lives and upending millions more. The Pennsylvania Senate has been meeting via teleconference technology to provide the tools to protect public health, deliver a lifeline to those forced out of work, and complete the urgent task of safely reopening the commonwealth.

Some of the key measures approved by the Senate: 

  • More masks, gloves and Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers. House Bill 1232 (Act 10 of 2020)
  • Immediate assistance to keep hospitals running. House Bill 1232 (Act 10 of 2020)
  • Better reporting of COVID-19 cases in local communities and nursing homes. Senate Bill 1110
  • COVID-19 medical coverage for police, EMS and other first responders. House Bill 1869 (Act 17 of 2020)
  • More accessible Unemployment Compensation for workers who lost hours or jobs. House Bill 68 (Act 9 of 2020)
  • Help for workers who need to obtain FBI criminal background checks for their jobs. House Bill 360
  • Extended deadlines for property tax discount rates. Senate Bill 841(Act 15 of 2020)
  • Standards ensuring students continue to learn during COVID-19 emergency. Senate Bill 751 (Act 13 of 2020)
  • Remote municipal meeting authorization for safe and transparent local meetings. Senate Bill 841(Act 15 of 2020)
  • Remote notary authorization so more employers can safely conduct business. Senate Bill 841(Act 15 of 2020)
  • Guidance for the legal system to operate during public emergencies. Senate Bill 1119 Senate Bill 1120
  • A plan for PA counties to let citizens return to work based on nationally recognized safety standards. Senate Bill 327

Our work on this emergency won’t end until all Pennsylvanians can work and move about freely. You can follow our efforts during Senate session here and committee activity here. I will keep you informed of additional legislative action in these email updates. 

Senate Hearings Scheduled This Week to Examine COVID-19 Response

A series of four hearings is scheduled this week to examine various aspects of the Wolf Administration’s response to COVID-19. Committee members will question administration officials directly via remote technology, and the hearings will be streamed live at www.pasenategop.com.

  • Monday 10 a.m.: The Senate Local Government Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee takes a closer look at Governor Wolf’s approach to reopening Pennsylvania.
  • Tuesday 1 p.m.: The Senate Labor and Industry Committee and Senate Communications and Technology Committee examines some of the serious issues plaguing Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation system.
  • Wednesday 10 a.m.: The Senate Law and Justice Committee examines troubles with state Wine & Spirits shops during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Thursday 10:30 a.m.: The Senate Aging and Youth Committee discusses nursing homes and the challenges they face during COVID-19. 

Video and details from the hearings will be available here. 

Expiration Dates Extended for PennDOT Driver Licenses, ID Cards and Learner’s Permits

PennDOT announced last week that Pennsylvanians who have an expiring driver license, photo identification card or learner’s permit will have more time to renew them. Any of these items scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through May 31, 2020, are now extended through June 30, 2020.

PennDOT’s Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers remain closed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, many services can still be completed online. 

Farmers Markets Prepared to Safely Open Amid COVID-19

Farmers markets, like grocery stores, offer life-sustaining food and essentials and have been provided guidance from the Department of Agriculture on ways to safely operate and minimize risks during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The guidance also offers farms the opportunity to open an on-farm stand to sell raw produce, eggs, or shelf stable packaged foods such as jams, jellies, or baked goods without additional food safety licenses. More information about Pennsylvania’s farm markets is available at pafarm.com. 

PennDOT Construction Projects Resume

As part of the governor’s announcement that construction projects could resume in Pennsylvania on May 1, PennDOT highway and bridge projects will also be allowed to continue with new safety precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Additional details about PennDOT construction projects are available at PennDOT.gov.

Limited Opening of State Park and Forest Facilities Scheduled

As the warmer spring weather sends more Pennsylvanians looking for safe recreation opportunities, a limited number of state park and forest facilities are scheduled to reopen in the days and weeks ahead.

The reopenings include at least one restroom in day-use areas in state parks, forests and marinas effective May 8; all nine marinas in state parks effective May 8 unless otherwise designated; and all three public golf courses in the system. State park facilities in counties in the yellow phase of reopening will also be open to the public beginning on May 15. More

Facebook Twitter/X Instagram Website

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorlangerholc.com | Privacy Policy