Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Penn. — As Pennsylvania reopens in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some state lawmakers are calling for action to ensure the economic recovery doesn’t leave anyone behind.

The pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption to the economy and threatened the welfare of everyone in the state. According to state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Lower Makefield (Bucks County), it is incumbent upon state legislators to pass measures that will create what he called a “just recovery” that helps everyone thrive.

“We need to make sure that people have access to good-paying jobs, that they have access to health care, that they have a roof over their heads, and that they get the help they need to get through the downturn that has been created by the virus,” said Santarsiero.

To the House Democratic Caucus, key elements of a just recovery include raising the minimum wage, instituting paid family leave, protecting health-care coverage for all and investing in education.

Housing is another critical concern. Santarsiero notes that many people still are out of work, but the state’s moratorium on foreclosures and evictions is set to expire on Fri., July 10.

“We should be asking the governor to extend the stay on foreclosures and evictions to at least the end of the summer,” he insisted, “because we need to give people time to get back on their feet before they potentially face losing their homes or their apartments.”

The House Democratic Caucus also wants the state to require every county and city to create and implement an affordable housing plan.

But Santarsiero cautioned that partisan divides in the General Assembly could block legislation. He said that ensuring an equitable recovery from the pandemic will take the active participation of all Pennsylvanians.

“We really do need people throughout the state to make their voices heard, and we need them to make it clear that this is what they want,” he stated. “If that were to happen on a large scale, perhaps we’d start to see some movement.”

In short, he said, for the recovery from the pandemic to work for Pennsylvania’s economy, it needs to work for the state’s working families.

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Penn. — Educators are calling on Congress to provide emergency funding to help public schools closed by the COVID pandemic reopen safely.

Schools in counties in the ‘yellow’ and ‘green’ phases of reopening soon will be resuming in-person instruction and activities. But the economic impact of the pandemic means local school districts in the Commonwealth could be facing a combined shortfall of $1 billion for the coming school year.

Pennsylvania State Education Association President Rich Askey pointed out that, from social distancing in classrooms to enhanced cleaning procedures and personal protective equipment, schools will need more funding — not less.

“We’re urging Congress to invest $175 billion in education nationwide, and they need to do this before they go on summer recess,” said Askey.

Last month, representatives of prominent education associations in Pennsylvania released a report outlining steps needed to safely reopen the schools.

The report estimates that trying to manage the crisis by cutting school budgets could mean the elimination of up to 40,000 jobs in education in the state.

But Askey noted that students haven’t been in school since last March, and that has had an impact.

“We’re going to need to deal with social and emotional wellness with these kids,” he emphasized. “We don’t need fewer counselors; we need more counselors. We don’t need fewer nurses; we need more nurses.”

He added that split schedules, or combined classroom and online learning to maintain social distancing, will require more teachers as well, and said state lawmakers also need to step up and do their part to make sure that children, teachers and staff stay safe as schools reopen.

As Askey put it, “Finding out what their local constituents need, working with the governor, working with the Department of Education, to make sure that there is clarity across the board on procedures and how to open schools.”

He emphasized that reopening schools safely needs to be a priority, because going backward is not an option.

Pennsylvania holds off on new pandemic restrictions
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County, which includes the city of Pittsburgh, is reporting a near-record number of new coronavirus infections. Allegheny County has been struggling with a spike in infections as residents patronize eating and drinking establishments and head to out-of-state virus hotspots. That has prompted health officials in the county of 1.2 million to impose restrictions on restaurants and bars, shutter a casino and limit gatherings. State health officials are expressing concern about the situation in southwestern Pennsylvania, but have made no move to reimpose pandemic restrictions in border counties that are also seeing increased spread.

United sending layoff notices to nearly half of US employees
By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writers
United Airlines is sending layoff warnings to 36,000 employees, nearly half its U.S. staff. It’s the clearest signal yet of how deeply the COVID-19 pandemic is hurting the airline industry. United officials said Wednesday that they still hope to limit the number of layoffs by offering early retirement, but they have to send notices this month to comply with a law requiring that workers get 60 days’ notice ahead of mass job cuts. The furloughs would include 11,000 flight attendants, 11,000 customer service and gate agents, 5,500 maintenance workers and 2,250 pilots. United officials said the notices cover 45% of its U.S. employees.