Trump signs $2.2T stimulus after swift congressional votes
By ANDREW TAYLOR, ALAN FRAM, LAURIE KELLMAN and DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package into law, after swift and near-unanimous action by Congress this week. The package will support businesses, rush resources to overburdened health care providers and help struggling families during the deepening coronavirus epidemic. As he signed the bill Friday, Trump declared it “will deliver urgently needed relief.” He thanked members of both parties for putting Americans “first.” The House passed the legislation earlier Friday by voice vote. The legislation will speed government payments of $1,200 to most Americans and increase jobless benefits for millions of people thrown out of work. Businesses big and small will get loans, grants and tax breaks. 

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) 17th District U.S. Congressman Connor Lamb joined Frank Sparks on Teleforum Friday March 27, 2020 to discuss the Disaster Relief Bill with Frank and News Director Pat Septak.

Lamb discussed what he liked about the bill and that he was very that at this time in our country lawmakers are able to come together in a bi-partisan way and get the Emergency Disaster Relief Bill passed.

The entire interview as it was aired on Beaver County radio is below just press the play button.

(Editors note: the interview took place at 10:10 a.m. before the package was voted on an passed by the house.)

 

Governor vetoes petrochemical plant tax break bill
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf followed through on his threat to veto a bill to provide potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks for petrochemical plants that use natural gas extracted in the state. In his veto message Friday, Wolf said he could support awarding an incentive like the one in the bill, but only after a thorough analysis of a proposed project. The Republican-penned bill passed both GOP-controlled legislative chambers by veto-proof majorities in early February. It authorized the “energy and fertilizer manufacturing tax credit.” Wolf’s administration estimated the tax credit would be worth about $22 million annually per plant and expire at the end of 2050.

House passes $2.2T rescue package, rushes to Trump
By ANDREW TAYLOR, ALAN FRAM and LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a $2.2 trillion rescue package, rushing it to President Donald Trump for his signature. The measure tosses a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic.  The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as strong majorities of both parties lined up behind the most colossal economic relief bill in the nation’s history. It will ship payments of up to $1,200 to millions of Americans, bolster unemployment benefits, and offer loans, grants and tax breaks to businesses large and small. It also will flush billions more to states, local governments and the nation’s all but overwhelmed health care system.

New Castle police are attempting to identify a man who robbed the 7Eleven convenient mart on the North Hill while holding a knife to an 11-year-old girl. The incident took place around 8 o’clock Wednesday night. According to a police report, the suspect’s identity was hidden by a mask and a hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to call New Castle police. No one was hurt.

The Aliquippa School District has a second employee diagnosed with COVID-19. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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A police officer in Ambridge is being diagnosed with COVID-19. In a letter sent to borough staff Thursday, their borough manager said the police department member tested positive and was recovering at home. The officer began to exhibit symptoms during his shift on March 20th and has been off the job since. Their internal investigation showed that no one had close personal contact with the officer on that date.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases here in Beaver County has jumped to the double digits. The county now is at 13 cases. Statewide, the number has leaped by 50% and record numbers of Pennsylvanians are filing for unemployment compensation, the most in the nation. Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration said Thursday that five more people stricken with coronavirus died, bringing the death toll to 16. With 560 new cases confirmed by the state Department of Health, there are now more than 1,680 cases in 48 counties. Meanwhile, Pennsylvanians filed about 650,000 unemployment compensation claims over the past 11 days as Wolf unveiled an order for “non-life-sustaining” businesses to shut down to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

WEST DEER, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a fast-moving fire roared through a western Pennsylvania home, killing a 14-year old girl and her dog. Emergency responders went to the West Deer home around 9:15 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters tried to enter the residence to reach the girl, but were forced back by the intense heat and flames before part of the home collapsed. The girl was identified as an eighth-grader in the Deer Lakes school district. Her name has not been released. It wasn’t clear if anyone else was in the home when the fire broke out, but no other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.