by Christin Brown | Abril 23, 2020 | News Releases
The Continuing of Education Equity Grants may be used to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets and internet hotspots, as well as paper lessons and coursework.
Philadelphia, PA – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) announces that the Pennsylvania Department of Education has awarded $128,450 in grants to schools within the 2nd Senate District as well as $500,000 directly to the School District of Philadelphia for the purchase of computers and other instructional materials.
Continuing of Education Equity Grants (CEEG) are designed to help provide access and inclusion for all learners by bridging the gap for students who are limited in their ability to participate in continuity of education. The new awards are applicable for the current 2019-2020 academic year.
“I applaud the Department of Education and the Wolf Administration for recognizing the urgent need among our schools for these resources in light of the COVID-19 disaster emergency,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Brick-and-mortar schools are closed to mitigate the public health threat of the coronavirus, but student learning must continue. We owe it to our children to provide them with the resources they need to learn and prepare for their future.”
The School District of Philadelphia was awarded $500,000. Additional grant recipients in the 2nd Senate District included Mastery Charter-Smedley Campus ($36,500), John B. Stetson Charter ($43,950), Antonia Pantoja Community Charter ($40,000), and Northwood Academy Charter ($8,000).
CEEG funding may be used to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets, and internet hot spots, as well as other instructional materials including paper lessons and coursework. Schools with the highest percentages of students lacking access to resources were given priority in receiving these grants.
For additional information about the grant program and COVID-19 resources for schools, visit the Department of Education website at education.pa.gov.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Abril 15, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Abril 15, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today applauded Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Rachael Levine and Governor Tom Wolf for issuing an executive order implementing the senator’s legislation that bolsters COVID-19 protections for employees of businesses that are authorized to continue in-person operations during the statewide disaster emergency.
Among many new mandates, the order establishes requirements for social distancing, for the provision and use of facemasks in the workplace, for the reduction of large gatherings, for limited visitor access to workplaces, and for sufficient staffing levels. In addition, all components of the order must be communicated to employees in their primary language, thereby ensuring that all workers can understand the new requirements.
All of these elements and many others had been proposed by Senator Tartaglione in two Senate bills: the COVID-19 Food Worker Safety Act (SB 1101) and the COVID-19 Grocery Store Safety Act (SB 1102). Earlier today, the Senate’s Rules & Executive Nominations Committee refused to adopt the language from Senator Tartaglione’s bills as part of an omnibus amendment to a Republican-sponsored bill focused on the reopening of non-essential businesses in the Commonwealth amid the pandemic.
In a party-line vote, the Senate adopted the Republican bill without Senator Tartaglione’s comprehensive worker protections. At Tartaglione’s urging, Secretary Levine and Governor Wolf implemented those protections through the executive order.
“It is vital that we require businesses to practice these common-sense and scientifically proven safety protocols for the protection of workers and the public at-large. And that is what this order does,” said Senator Tartaglione, who is Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee. “Many of the measures included in this order were part of legislation that I proposed. I applaud this swift action by Secretary Levine and Governor Wolf to implement these much-needed protocols.”
Specifically, the order establishes protocols to help employees maintain social distance during work. Employers that are authorized to continue in-person operations are required to:
- Provide masks for employees to wear during their time at the business, and make it a mandatory requirement while at the work site, except to the extent an employee is using break time to eat or drink, in accordance with the guidance from the Department of Health and the CDC. Employers may approve masks obtained or made by employees in accordance with this guidance;
- Stagger work start and stop times for employees when practical to prevent gatherings of large groups entering or leaving the premises at the same time;
- Provide sufficient space for employees to have breaks and meals while maintaining a social distance of 6 feet, including limiting the number of employees in common areas and setting up seating to have employees facing forward and not across from each other;
- Conduct meetings and training virtually. If a meeting must be held in person, limit the meeting to the fewest number of employees possible, not to exceed 10 employees at one time and maintain a social distance of 6 feet.
- Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of employees to perform all measures listed effectively and in a manner that ensures the safety of the public and employees;
- Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of personnel to control access, maintain order, and enforce social distancing of at least 6 feet;
- Prohibit non-essential visitors from entering the premises of the business; and
- Ensure that all employees who do not speak English as their first language are aware of procedures by communicating the procedures, either orally or in writing, in their native or preferred language.
Upon discovery of an exposure to a person who is a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19, businesses are also ordered to implement temperature screenings before employees enter the business prior to the start of work and send any employee home who has an elevated temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Sick employees should follow CDC-recommended steps. Employees should not return to work until the CDC criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with the health care providers and state and local health departments. Employers are encouraged to implement liberal paid time off for employees who are on home isolation.
Upon an exposure, businesses are also ordered to do the following:
- Close off and ventilate areas visited by that individual;
- Wait a minimum of 24 hours, or as long as practical, before beginning cleaning and disinfection;
- Clean and disinfect all spaces, especially commonly used rooms and shared electronic equipment;
- Identify and notify employees who were in close contact with that individual (within about 6 feet for about 10 minutes); and
- Ensure that the business has a sufficient number of employees to perform these protocols effectively and immediately.
In addition to the social distancing, mitigation and cleaning protocols, businesses that serve the public within a building or defined area are ordered to implement the following, based on the size of the building and number of employees:
- Require all customers to wear masks while on premises, and deny entry to individuals not wearing masks, unless the business is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, in which case the business must provide alternative methods of pick-up or delivery of goods, except individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition (including children the age of 2 years) may enter the premises without having to provide medical documentation;
- Conduct business with the public by appointment only and, to the extent that this is not feasible, limit occupancy to no greater than 50 percent of the number stated on their certificate of occupancy as necessary to reduce crowding in the business and at check-out and counter lines in order to maintain a social distance of 6 feet, and place signage throughout each site to mandate social distancing for both customers and employees;
- Alter hours of business so that the business has sufficient time to clean or to restock or both;
- Install shields or other barriers at registers and check-out areas to physically separate cashiers and customers or take other measures to ensure social distancing of customers from check-out personnel, or close lines to maintain a social distance between of 6 feet between lines;
- Encourage use of online ordering by providing delivery or outside pick-up;
- Designate a specific time for high-risk and elderly persons to use the business at least once every week if there is a continuing in-person customer-facing component;
- In businesses with multiple check-out lines, only use every other register, or fewer. After every hour, rotate customers and employees to the previously closed registers. Clean the previously open registers and the surrounding area, including credit card machines, following each rotation;
- Schedule handwashing breaks for employees at least every hour; and
- Where carts and handbaskets are available, assign an employee to wipe down carts and handbaskets before they become available to a new customer.
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in enforcement action that could include citations, fines, or license suspensions. Compliance with the order will be enforced beginning Domingo, Abril 19 at 8:00 PM.
The governor has directed the following state agencies and local officials to enforce orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the full extent of the law:
- Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
- Department of Health
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Labor and Industry
- Pennsylvania State Police
- Local officials, using their resources to enforce closure orders within their jurisdictions
This order follows another order by Dr. Levine providing direction for maintaining and cleaning buildings for businesses authorized to maintain in-person operations under her and Governor Tom Wolf’s life-sustaining business orders announced Marzo 19.
Governor Tom Wolf also recommends that Pennsylvanians wear a mask any time they leave their homes for life-sustaining reasons.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 8 de abril de 2020 | Comunicados de prensa
Harrisburg, PA - 8 de abril, 2020 - El Senado levantó la sesión el martes por la tarde después de que los republicanos de la Cámara indicaron que no iban a tomar el proyecto de ley del Senado 841, la legislación que habría permitido a los municipios locales para celebrar sus reuniones a distancia, permitió el uso de e-notario; alargado el período de tiempo que un contribuyente de impuestos de propiedad puede recibir un descuento por pronto pago y retrasar las sanciones por retraso en los pagos al 31 de diciembre; y permitió a las empresas a hacer pagos atrasados en EITC. Otra enmienda importante ofrecida por el senador Pam Iovino (D-Allegheny) permitió a los distritos escolares para renegociar los contratos para garantizar los trabajadores escolares contratados pueden cobrar y seguir recibiendo beneficios.
La enmienda SB 841 fue aprobada por el Senado con apoyo bipartidista. Mientras que los demócratas y los republicanos del Senado optaron por dejar de lado las diferencias partidistas, los republicanos de la Cámara estaban presionando para complacer a los intereses especiales y los grandes donantes. Con la intención de utilizar esta crisis como palanca, el presidente Turzai y su caucus aprobaron legislación para permitir prematuramente que los negocios reabran durante esta crisis de salud pública y crear un grupo de trabajo partidista para interferir con la respuesta al desastre del Gobernador, ambos de los cuales innecesariamente arriesgan vidas y amenazan con gastar la emergencia.
"Mientras el Gobernador y el Secretario del Departamento de Salud ofrecen liderazgo en materia de seguridad pública en las sesiones informativas diarias y los miembros demócratas de la Cámara de Representantes y el Senado de Pensilvania redactan proyectos de ley para proteger a los trabajadores que están sin trabajo o empleados en primera línea de negocios esenciales, los republicanos están poniendo vidas en riesgo y socavando los mejores esfuerzos del Gobernador y el Secretario Levine para poner fin a esta crisis", dijo el líder demócrata del Senado Jay Costa, Jr."En lugar de seguir el consejo de nuestro Secretario de Salud, están intentando ralentizar nuestra respuesta y acelerar la reapertura de negocios no esenciales en contra de la orientación de todas las entidades de salud pública del país".
Los republicanos de la Cámara buscaban medidas aún más atroces para proporcionar inmunidad civil a las grandes empresas, poner en peligro la capacidad de los distritos escolares para pagar a sus maestros y dejar a nuestros empleados del departamento de correcciones en grave peligro de contraer el Coronavirus. Tal vez lo peor de todo es que el lenguaje no hace nada para proteger a los trabajadores de primera línea, proporcionar asistencia a los que están sin trabajo, o para ayudar a las pequeñas empresas a superar esta crisis.
En una enmienda al proyecto de ley 327 del Senado, los republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes diseñaron un grupo de trabajo con designaciones partidistas para usurpar la capacidad del Gobernador de responder rápidamente a esta crisis en rápida evolución. Su proyecto de ley obligaría a la Secretaria de Salud a abandonar la PEMA, restar horas a la planificación de crisis de salud pública y defender su trabajo ante un órgano redundante y político.
La bancada demócrata del Senado no apoyará estos proyectos de ley. Como alternativa, este grupo apoyará la legislación sobre los siguientes temas:
- Plan de acción para la protección de los trabajadores de primera línea (Collett/L. Williams)
- Protección de los trabajadores durante las emergencias de salud pública (Santarsiero)
- COVID-19 Ley de seguridad de los trabajadores del sector alimentario (Tartaglione)
- COVID-19 Ley de seguridad de los trabajadores de tiendas de comestibles (Tartaglione)
- Pago de los servicios contratados en las escuelas (Iovino)
- Ayuda para el cuidado de niños (Schwank/L. Williams)
- Ampliación urgente de la Ley de Baja Médica Familiar para proporcionar baja por enfermedad retribuida (Farnese)
- Subvenciones en caso de crisis para bomberos voluntarios y empresas de socorro debido al COVID-19 (Brewster)
- Exigir un seguro de interrupción de la actividad empresarial que cubra los cierres de empresas relacionados con COVID-19 (Hughes)
- Protección contra el desalojo en caso de catástrofe (Farnese)
- Enfermedad por coronavirus y escuelas: permitir la enseñanza en línea (Dinniman)
- Creación de un Fondo de Riqueza Común para recaudar donativos de particulares destinados a atender las necesidades esenciales de los necesitados (AH Williams)
- Establecer la presunción de que los trabajadores que enferman en el lugar de trabajo tienen derecho a las prestaciones de indemnización por accidentes laborales (Tartaglione).
- Garantizar que la recepción de un cheque de estímulo del gobierno federal no se incluya en los ingresos de una persona a efectos de tener derecho a las redes de seguridad social (Schwank).
- Eximir de impuestos estatales y locales los cheques de estímulo del Gobierno federal (Brewster)
- Colaboración con las entidades financieras para exigir la condonación de los préstamos hipotecarios, ayuda a los propietarios de viviendas que fueron despedidos debido a emergencias estatales(Farnese).
"Mientras que muchos trabajadores de Pensilvania están sufriendo la pandemia del COVID-19, enfrentándose a la pérdida de horas de trabajo o incluso al desempleo total, otros que se encuentran en circunstancias más afortunadas han expresado su deseo de ayudar a sus conciudadanos, ya sea donando a una organización benéfica local o patrocinando negocios locales", dijo el senador Anthony H. Williams. "Mediante el establecimiento de la cuenta restringida "Pennsylvania Common Wealth", los contribuyentes podrían redirigir la totalidad o una parte de su cheque de estímulo al estado, que a su vez estaría autorizado a dirigir esos fondos a programas que ayudan a los más necesitados de Pennsylvania - reembolsos de impuestos de propiedad y alquiler, asistencia temporal para familias necesitadas, CHIP o asistencia médica."
"Pensilvania necesita soluciones que ayuden a proteger a sus trabajadores, que han sido los más afectados por las consecuencias de la pandemia del coronavirus", dijo el senador Vincent Hughes. "Nosotros, en el Caucus Demócrata del Senado de Pensilvania, hemos presentado una serie de propuestas políticas que harían precisamente eso, mientras que los republicanos de la Cámara han optado por ignorar estas necesidades e impulsar una agenda que pone en peligro la salud pública y ejerce una presión adicional sobre los trabajadores al retrasar la ayuda inmediata. Nuestra misión debe ser ayudar a la gente en este momento de necesidad sin precedentes y vamos a permanecer vigilantes en la protección de la gente trabajadora en toda la mancomunidad."
"Como servidores públicos, nuestro deber más importante es proteger la salud, la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros ciudadanos. Esto incluye tomar decisiones difíciles en tiempos difíciles. Todos queremos que las empresas vuelvan a abrir, que los empleados vuelvan al trabajo, que los estudiantes vuelvan a las aulas y que se reanude algo parecido a la vida normal, pero eso no puede suceder a menos que primero continuemos con los esfuerzos de mitigación y sigamos el consejo de nuestros científicos y expertos", dijo el senador Wayne D. Fontana. "Todo lo contrario puede hacer retroceder el progreso y causar más daños a nuestra economía y, lo que es más importante, a la salud humana". La legislación bipartidista aprobada por el Senado proporciona algunas orientaciones necesarias y alivio a los gobiernos locales, las empresas, los empleados de las escuelas y los contribuyentes de la propiedad durante esta situación sin precedentes. Es inconcebible que los republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes hayan hecho caso omiso de ese deber y hayan optado por no actuar."
"La propagación del coronavirus no ha acallado la voz de los intereses especiales en Harrisburg y eso es trágico", dijo el senador Larry Farnese. "La mitigación a través del aislamiento está funcionando y tenemos que reconocer ese sacrificio a través de una legislación que realmente ayude a los trabajadores de primera línea en lugar de limitarse a decir cosas bonitas en las redes sociales".
"Esta crisis y la respuesta de la Commonwealth a la pandemia de COVID-19 requiere liderazgo, transparencia y cooperación - no la política partidista", dijo el senador John Blake. "Si bien hemos trabajado bien con la mayoría del Senado en soluciones reales que realmente ayudan a las personas en esta crisis, la mayoría de la Cámara busca socavar la autoridad ejecutiva del Gobernador, así como el asesoramiento de expertos médicos y científicos en materia de salud pública. Aplaudo el trabajo realizado por el gobernador Wolf y su administración para mantener a los residentes de Pensilvania a salvo y para mitigar la propagación del COVID-19. Voy a seguir apoyando la legislación importante para ayudar a nuestra comunidad empresarial, los trabajadores de primera línea y profesionales de la medicina, y para proteger a nuestros ciudadanos, las escuelas y los gobiernos locales en todo este estado. Debemos permanecer vigilantes y seguir las recomendaciones del Departamento de Salud de Pensilvania y de los CDC federales".
"Los problemas a los que ya se enfrentaba la Commonwealth se han visto exacerbados por esta pandemia, y los servicios de guardería y los programas de aprendizaje precoz ocupan los primeros puestos de la lista. Las guarderías se tambalean al borde de la insolvencia, por lo que parte de nuestro paquete legislativo aborda el aprendizaje en la primera infancia y la atención infantil segura y de calidad. No podremos reactivar la economía de Pensilvania sin este componente clave", declaró la senadora Judy Schwank. "Además, es vital que se ajusten los requisitos de ingresos de programas estatales como PACENET y la devolución del impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles y alquileres para que los ciudadanos de Pensilvania que reciban ayudas federales no se vean penalizados más adelante."
"La clave de una respuesta eficaz a la pandemia es garantizar que nuestros ciudadanos estén protegidos, se aborden los riesgos sanitarios y nuestra economía se reinicie rápidamente", declaró el senador Jim Brewster. "Por eso he presentado un plan de estímulo de seis puntos que ayudará a las pequeñas empresas, protegerá a los trabajadores y creará puestos de trabajo una vez que hayamos despejado la amenaza que supone la pandemia. Además, tenemos que asegurarnos de atender las necesidades inmediatas y a largo plazo de los primeros intervinientes y de todos los trabajadores y empresas que están prestando servicios esenciales en estos momentos de extraordinaria tensión."
"No hay segmento de nuestra Commonwealth que no se haya visto trastornado por esta crisis. Todo es prioritario. Pero para salvar medios de vida, primero debemos salvar vidas", ha declarado la senadora Maria Collett. "Como enfermera, conozco de primera mano los retos a los que se enfrentan nuestros trabajadores sanitarios y la urgencia de aprobar leyes como el Plan de Acción de Ayuda para los Trabajadores de Primera Línea de American Working Family. Nuestros médicos, enfermeras, primeros intervinientes, auxiliares de cuidados de ancianos y otros no deberían tener que preocuparse por enfermar o infectar a otros mientras realizan su trabajo esencial."
"Es irresponsable que el Estado reabra las empresas en pleno brote de COVID-19. Los que no sean trabajadores esenciales deben permanecer en casa", ha declarado el senador Art Haywood. Quienes no sean trabajadores esenciales deben permanecer en casa", ha declarado el senador Art Haywood. "Tenemos que hacer todo lo posible como legisladores para apoyar a los empleados esenciales que arriesgan sus vidas a diario", dijo el senador Haywood (D-Montgomery/Filadelfia). "Seguiré apoyando el trabajo que el gobernador Wolf y el secretario Levine han hecho para informar al público para que permanezca seguro y se quede en casa".
"Los ciudadanos de Pensilvania cuentan con que sus representantes electos salven vidas respondiendo de forma rápida, pragmática y bipartidista para frenar la propagación de este virus altamente contagioso", dijo la senadora Pam Iovino. "Para cumplir con nuestro deber para con el público, debemos seguir las orientaciones consensuadas de los profesionales de la salud pública, centrarnos en proteger a los trabajadores esenciales de primera línea y establecer protecciones que permitan a los trabajadores en suspensión de empleo o desempleados y a las pequeñas empresas capear el trastorno económico."
"Como presidente demócrata de la Comisión de Gobierno Local, he trabajado con las partes interesadas durante semanas para elaborar las disposiciones del SB 841, estoy decepcionado de estas medidas de sentido común, que aprobó el Senado con el apoyo bipartidista, están siendo retenidos por los republicanos de la Cámara por ninguna razón", dijo el senador Tim Kearney. "La Cámara debe aprobar inmediatamente el SB 841 y centrarse en llevar alivio a los residentes de Pensilvania, en lugar de sabotear los esfuerzos del Gobernador para mantener a nuestras familias seguras."
"Ayer, el partido mayoritario en ambas cámaras no hizo uso de su poder legislativo, en el que pueden aprobar literalmente cualquier proyecto de ley que quieran, y en su lugar decidieron hacer las maletas e irse a casa sin más", dijo la senadora Katie Muth. "No aprobar proyectos de ley significativos cuando la gente está luchando por sus vidas es simplemente negligente".
"Ahora no es el momento de hacer política", dijo el senador Steve Santarsiero. "Salvar vidas tiene que ser la primera prioridad. Para ello, todos debemos hacer nuestra parte y seguir los planes del Gobernador y del Departamento de Salud tal y como se nos han explicado en innumerables ocasiones". SB 841 es sólo una de las muchas maneras en que nuestro caucus ha trabajado en un esfuerzo bipartidista para proporcionar alivio a los que más lo necesitan. Sin embargo, el SB 327 es exactamente lo que nuestros profesionales de la salud nos advierten en contra. Promover un retorno prematuro a la normalidad sólo socavará nuestro esfuerzo por mantener a salvo al público, y pondrá aún más en peligro miles de vidas."
"El papel más importante del gobierno es la protección de su pueblo. Desde la crisis del COVID-19, el Senado se ha reunido tres veces, sin apenas resultados. A las comunidades de toda la Commonwealth no les interesa la parálisis del Gobierno, especialmente en los momentos más desesperados. Lo que sí les importa es la protección de nuestra mano de obra esencial, la interrupción de nuestras pequeñas empresas, la pérdida de puestos de trabajo, la permanencia en sus hogares y la educación de sus hijos. Lo único que importa es la preservación y protección de todos los recursos necesarios para mantener a salvo a las familias durante esta crisis sanitaria", declaró el senador Sharif Street.
"Tenemos que volver a Harrisburg, tenemos que volver al trabajo. Debemos trabajar juntos para garantizar la protección de nuestras comunidades en tiempos de incertidumbre."
"Mientras miles de ciudadanos de Pensilvania siguen enfermando y cientos mueren, no es momento de hacer política partidista", dijo la senadora Tina Tartaglione. "Como líderes públicos, debemos unirnos detrás del objetivo común de reducir la amenaza de este virus y mitigar el daño que se está haciendo a nuestros electores. El paquete de proyectos de ley que hemos propuesto ayudará directamente a todas las familias de Pensilvania, incluidos los trabajadores esenciales, los trabajadores desplazados, los primeros en responder, los escolares, los enfermos y los necesitados. Insto a todos los legisladores de todos los partidos políticos a que apoyen estos proyectos de ley".
"Detener la propagación del COVID-19 y salvar vidas es nuestra máxima prioridad. También tenemos que proteger y apoyar a nuestros electores, nuestras comunidades y nuestras empresas", dijo el senador Lindsey Williams. "Nuestros trabajadores esenciales de primera línea -nuestros trabajadores de hospitales, trabajadores de tiendas de comestibles, personal de servicios de emergencia y otros- no pueden permitirse esperar por el EPP. Lo necesitan desde hace semanas. Nuestras guarderías necesitan nuestra ayuda para permanecer abiertas y atender a los hijos de nuestros trabajadores esenciales mientras arriesgan sus vidas por nosotros. Nuestras pequeñas empresas necesitan apoyo financiero para mantenerse a flote. Nuestros municipios necesitan poder reunirse a distancia y tomar decisiones que garanticen la seguridad de todos los residentes. Hay muchas necesidades en este momento y nuestros electores no tienen tiempo para que perdamos el tiempo jugando a juegos partidistas o poniendo nombres a los puentes. Los demócratas del Senado han ofrecido soluciones concretas que ayudarán a la gente. Todos deberíamos trabajar juntos para llevarlas a la mesa del Gobernador para que las firme lo antes posible."
Para más información sobre el trabajo del Grupo Demócrata del Senado de Pensilvania durante la crisis de la COVID-19, visite pasenate.com/covid19.
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by Christin Brown | Marzo 26, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Marzo 26, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) advises Pennsylvanians who are seeking to maintain or enter outpatient drug and alcohol recovery programs during the COVID-19 emergency that help is available to them through online and telephone-based counseling services and meetings.
“At this difficult time for all Pennsylvanians, it is imperative that we as a community redouble our efforts to support those among us who struggle with substance use disorder and those in recovery,” Senator Tartaglione said. “I am pleased to report that the Commonwealth’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, as well as many private-sector programs are acting to mitigate the new challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.”
While Pennsylvania remains under the disaster emergency declared by Governor Tom Wolf on Marzo 6, all designated Single County Authorities that have received grant funding from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for outpatient substance use disorder services may use those funds to provide counseling and other clinical services using telehealth technology.
Qualified counselors may provide telehealth using real-time, two-way interactive audio-video transmission services in licensed Drug and Alcohol Outpatient clinics. While the two-way interactive transmission is the preferred method, services provided by telephone and in the home are also acceptable.
For further information from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, visit: https://www.ddap.pa.gov/pages/default.aspx
In addition, numerous Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups are conducting meetings online and via teleconferencing. The following links provide information for online Alcohol Anonymous groups:
In addition, the following links provide information for online Narcotics Anonymous groups:
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 25, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Marzo 25, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) joined her Senate colleagues and members of the Pennsylvania House today as they unanimously adopted comprehensive COVID-19/coronavirus relief legislation for workers and employers throughout the Commonwealth.
Both chambers adopted an amended version of House Bill 68, which includes a provision that enables displaced workers to obtain unemployment compensation sooner, and a provision that relieves employers of unemployment benefits charges in instances where the coronavirus emergency caused the employee layoff.
“Just as the thousands of individuals afflicted by this illness need time and resources to recover, displaced workers and their employers need time and resources to get back on their feet again,” Senator Tartaglione said during the Senate’s remote legislative session. “This legislation provides them with the time and resources they need by helping to mitigate the financial setbacks caused by the coronavirus.”
As amended, HB 68 codifies the Wolf administration’s waiver of the one-week waiting period usually required for displaced workers before they may apply for unemployment benefits. The waiting period waiver will remain in effect for the duration of the coronavirus emergency declaration. The bill also codifies the administration’s suspension of the work search and registration requirements of the Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation law during the emergency.
To ensure that displaced workers receive comprehensive and timely information about the availability of unemployment benefits, the amended HB 68 requires employers to notify employees upon separation from the company of the availability of unemployment compensation, the employee’s ability to file a benefits claim, website information for filing a claim, and the information that the employee must provide to submit a claim.
The amended bill further requires the Department of Labor & Industry to provide companies relief from unemployment benefit charges in cases where the employee separation resulted directly from coronavirus or from restrictions implemented by the government in response to the pandemic. In addition, the bill extends the window for employers to request full relief from benefit charges from 15 days to 21 days.
The Department of Labor Industry projects that the bill will result in an increase of $6 million in relief from benefit charges granted to employers, as well as a reduction of $1 million annually in unemployment compensation contributions by employers.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 18, 2020 | News Releases
The Commonwealth Financing Agency has transferred additional funding into the Small Business First program to support low interest working capital loans.
Philadelphia, PA, Marzo 18, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) is advising Pennsylvania small businesses that they may be eligible for low interest loans of up to $100,000 to fulfill their working capital needs during the COVID-19/coronavirus emergency.
The Commonwealth Financing Agency (CFA) has transferred $40 million into the Small Business First (SBF) program administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). This funding will be combined with $21 million from PIDA’s own resources for a total of $61 million in additional SBF funding.
“Small businesses are bearing a tremendous burden during the coronavirus emergency as they have been asked to reduce or suspend their non-essential operations and as Pennsylvania consumers have been advised to practice social distancing,” Senator Tartaglione said. “These loans will help small businesses pay their bills and keep the lights on until this public health crisis subsides.”
CFA moved $40 million from PIDA’s Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund to SBF with the support of the four caucuses of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Tom Wolf. These funds will be used to award working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses that employ 100 or fewer people. The current interest rate is 3.0% but the PIDA board is empowered to modify the rate.
SBF is the most logical program to assist small businesses quickly because this is already its intended purpose. It has the structure and regional infrastructure to help small businesses immediately, including partnerships with local Certified Economic Development Organizations (CEDOs) that help businesses prepare and submit applications to PIDA. As these loans have a maximum amount of $100,000, they can be approved by PIDA staff in a timely fashion providing that all application requirements are satisfied.
Information about Small Business First and other PIDA programs is available via https://dced.pa.gov/programs/pennsylvania-industrial-development-authority-pida/
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 17, 2020 | News Releases
Provisions of Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law will be relaxed for the duration of the COVID-19 Emergency to help workers displaced by the pandemic
Philadelphia, PA, Marzo 17, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) welcomes Governor Tom Wolf’s directive to relax the waiting period, work registration, and work search requirements for Pennsylvanians who claim unemployment compensation benefits during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic.
Wolf has instructed the Department of Labor & Industry to suspend the waiting-week requirement in Section 401(e) of Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law. As a result, the first week of a worker’s unemployment will be compensable. This suspension will remain in effect for the duration of the governor’s disaster emergency declaration for COVID-19.
The governor has also directed the department to suspend the work registration and search requirements. These measures will also remain in effect for the duration of the disaster emergency.
“As businesses throughout the Commonwealth make the difficult but necessary decision to close or reduce their operations temporarily in response to the public health emergency, many workers find themselves suddenly without income and wondering how they will pay their bills,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The measures initiated by the governor will allow these Pennsylvanians to collect unemployment compensation sooner and help them to protect their financial wellbeing as well as their physical health.”
Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law allows for employers to be relieved of charges for compensation once there has been a federal disaster declaration under the Stafford Act and the individual claimants would have been eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Therefore, an employer may be relieved from charges for compensation paid to an individual with respect to any week of unemployment occurring due to COVID-19.
The Unemployment Compensation website offers up-to-date information for workers impacted by COVID-19. Workers may be eligible for compensation should the employer close temporarily or permanently or should the employee experience a reduction in hours. Displaced workers may apply for compensation online.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 13, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Marzo 13, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today issued the following statement regarding the comprehensive response of the Governor Wolf administration to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic:
“As we all continue to monitor the steady stream of reports regarding coronavirus and its impact on our families and communities, I’d like to take a moment to recognize the diligent and effective work being performed by the Wolf administration in collaboration with the medical community to minimize the health risks for all Pennsylvanians. From the outset, the administration has provided us with detailed real-time information about the proliferation of the virus and measures we must take to prevent it. I highly recommend using the Pennsylvania Department of Health website as a primary resource for the latest updates.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 12, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Marzo 12, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today announced the award of a $116,485 Non-Profit Security Grant to Drizin-Weiss Post 215 in support of safety improvements at the Burholme veterans’ hall and its adjoining shopping center.
“The members of Post 215 served our community and our nation with pride and distinction, so I am thrilled to support their efforts to improve their meeting facility,” Senator Tartaglione said.
“We are enhancing security for the vets that visit the facility as well as the community that uses the center,” Post 215 Commander M.B. Kanis said.
The Post welcomes between 1,800 and 3,000 visitors each month. Its $116,485 grant is being administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Grants totaling $5 million were awarded to 113 organizations in 26 Pennsylvania counties as part of the Non-Profit Security Grant Fund. Amounts ranged from $7,200 to $150,000.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 6, 2020 | News Releases
El senador consiguió financiación a través del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comunitario para convertir una propiedad llena de escombros en un espacio público multiusos.
Filadelfia, PA, 6 de marzo de 2020 - El senador estatal Christine Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia) entregó una subvención de desarrollo de $ 50,000 a la Corporación de Desarrollo Comunitario Mayfair durante la reunión de la junta ejecutiva de la CDC anoche. La financiación estatal apoyará la adquisición y reurbanización de un lote vacante, lleno de escombros en el bloque 7300 de Crispin St.
El CDC tiene previsto reconvertir el terreno de forma triangular, que mide más de un tercio de acre, en un parque comunitario, así como en espacio de almacenamiento para las organizaciones locales sin ánimo de lucro y las empresas que habitualmente organizan actos públicos en la intersección de las avenidas Cottman y Frankford y sus alrededores.
"Me complace y me entusiasma llevar esta inversión pública a Mayfair, donde los residentes, las empresas y organizaciones como el CDC están trabajando duro para perpetuar y hacer crecer su fuerte sentido de espíritu comunitario", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Siempre parece haber algo grande y divertido en Mayfair. Estoy deseando participar en sus numerosos festivales y celebraciones en los años venideros."
La financiación se concedió a través del programa Local Share Account del Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comunitario, que desembolsa una parte de los ingresos de las máquinas tragaperras generados por los operadores de casinos de Filadelfia.
"El lote ha sido una monstruosidad para el barrio, para la Asociación Cívica (Mayfair) y para el CDC durante mucho tiempo", dijo el vicepresidente del CDC Kevin Leonard. "Poder hacer algo positivo con ese terreno para ayudar al barrio es algo excelente".
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Febrero 27, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Febrero 27, 2020 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the Federal Trade Commission that it has authorized an action to block the proposed merger of Jefferson Health and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network:
“The merger of Jefferson Health and Einstein Healthcare Network would provide the residents of North Philadelphia and the surrounding region with improved access to high-quality, reliable medical care, so I am extremely disappointed that the FTC has chosen to challenge this definitive agreement. As a safety net hospital within a largely underserved community, Einstein has long been committed to securing the resources needed to deliver essential medical care to families in need. The merger with Jefferson would advance that noble mission and support community health for the foreseeable future.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Febrero 27, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Febrero 27, 2020 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today announced that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has awarded more than $5.3 million in grants to Philadelphia-based schools and community organizations for school safety and community violence reduction initiatives.
The Commission’s School Safety and Security Committee awarded $60 million statewide, including $52.5 million in School Safety and Security Grants and $7.5 million in Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Grants.
“Every Pennsylvania child deserves access to quality education. And it is our responsibility as a Commonwealth to provide every child with a safe, secure, and healthy learning environment,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This funding will help schools and communities in Philadelphia and across the state to bolster their security while implementing programs that reduce the threat of violence.”
The School District of Philadelphia was awarded $2.6 million to support numerous initiatives including conflict resolution, dispute management, and restorative justice strategies; positive behavior support; classroom management; anti-bullying programs; security-related planning and technology; staff and student training; training and compensation of school resource officers and school police; and implementing trauma-informed approaches to education.
Several independent Philadelphia schools received additional funding, including Belmont Charter, Mastery Charter – Pastorius Campus, Overbrook School for the Blind, Philadelphia Academy Charter, and Tech Freire Charter.
Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Grants were awarded to Women Against Abuse, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, MEE Productions Inc., Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, Temple University, and City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 4 de febrero de 2020 | Comunicados de prensa
Durante su discurso presupuestario anual de hoy, el gobernador Wolf dijo que PA debe invertir en la reparación de las escuelas tóxicas, aumentar su salario mínimo, y exigir la presentación de informes de armas perdidas o robadas. También aboga por reducir el impuesto de sociedades y cerrar la "laguna de Delaware".
Filadelfia, PA, 4 de febrero de 2020 - El senador estatal Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia) emitió la siguiente declaración sobre el presupuesto del año fiscal 2020-2021 discurso pronunciado por el gobernador Tom Wolf hoy a una sesión conjunta de la Asamblea General de Pensilvania.
Entre las muchas políticas del gobernador para llevar a la Commonwealth por el "camino de la prosperidad", propuso invertir más de 1.000 millones de dólares para identificar y eliminar contaminantes como el amianto y el plomo de las escuelas; aumentar el salario mínimo a 15 dólares; reducir el tipo del impuesto de sociedades y cerrar la "laguna de Delaware"; y exigir a los propietarios de armas que informen a las autoridades de cualquier arma de fuego perdida o robada:
"Aplaudo al gobernador Wolf por adoptar y tomar medidas sobre muchas de las iniciativas que he defendido en el Senado durante muchos años y las que sigo defendiendo. Las escuelas tóxicas son una crisis en todo el estado que necesita una respuesta inmediata de todas las partes interesadas. Necesitamos inversiones locales, estatales y federales, así como un esfuerzo coordinado para proteger la salud de los estudiantes, los profesores, el personal y todas las personas que visitan nuestras escuelas. Apoyo firmemente la financiación de las escuelas tóxicas en la legislación presupuestaria pendiente".
"El salario mínimo es otra cuestión que afecta a todos los ciudadanos de Pensilvania. Aumentar nuestro salario mínimo a un verdadero salario digno, como he propuesto en el Proyecto de Ley 12 del Senado, nos ayudaría a reducir la pobreza en toda la Commonwealth y ayudaría a los trabajadores con salarios bajos a cubrir necesidades como la alimentación, la vivienda, el transporte, la atención sanitaria y el cuidado de los niños. También ayudaría a las empresas al poner más dinero para gastar en los bolsillos de los consumidores y aumentaría los ingresos fiscales de Pensilvania."
"También estoy de acuerdo con el gobernador en que el cierre de la laguna de Delaware y la reducción de nuestro Impuesto sobre Sociedades beneficiará a todos los ciudadanos de Pensilvania. Mi legislación, Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1032, lograría esto. Miles de empresas que hacen negocios en Pensilvania y ganar dinero aquí no están pagando su parte justa de impuestos. Eso es injusto para todos los contribuyentes. Al exigir a las empresas que revelen lo que realmente ganan y paguen lo que realmente deben, podremos reducir nuestro tipo del impuesto de sociedades, que está entre los más altos del país, y hacer que la Commonwealth sea más atractiva para las empresas."
"La seguridad pública y la violencia con armas de fuego es otra cuestión fundamental que debemos abordar. Me alegro de que el gobernador Wolf pida leyes sobre armas con sentido común, como las que he propuesto en el proyecto de ley 483 del Senado. Debemos reducir el número de armas ilegales en nuestras calles, y podemos hacerlo deteniendo a las personas que trafican con armas ilegales, incluidos los compradores de paja. La notificación obligatoria ayudará a proteger a todos los ciudadanos de Pensilvania de la violencia armada, incluidos los propietarios de armas responsables y respetuosos con la ley."
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 31, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Enero 31, 2020 – In coordination with Governor Tom Wolf’s Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters initiative announced earlier this month, Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine joined Sen. Tina Tartaglione to lead a roundtable discussion on the mental health challenges and needed supports for those with substance use disorder.
The Reach Out PA initiative is a multi-agency effort and anti-stigma campaign aimed at expanding resources and the state’s comprehensive support of mental health and related health care priorities in Pennsylvania. Reach Out PA will address many recommendations for improving mental-health services laid out by the Council on Reform, created last year by the governor’s executive order to protect vulnerable populations.
“As part of the Governor’s Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters campaign, we want everyone to feel comfortable speaking about their mental health,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Talking about mental health issues and the resources individuals need is essential to making sure every resident has access to the care they need. Understanding that it is okay to not feel okay is essential as we work to establish a healthy Pennsylvania for all.”
“At the same time, as advocates and leaders, we must acknowledge the weaknesses in the mental-health system and find ways to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has access to the care they need regardless of location, income and the type of care – including that to support substance use disorder – they need.”
According to a 2017 study from the University of Southern California, approximately 1 million adult Pennsylvanians struggled with serious psychological distress at least once in 2015. Of those adults, more than 27 percent had an unmet need for mental health care. That population includes 42 percent who did not receive mental health care because they could not afford it.
At Viernes’s roundtable, mental health providers and advocates, along with community members joined Dr. Levine and Sen. Tartaglione to focus discussion on the mental-health needs and barriers to treatment for Pennsylvanians.
“I’d like to thank the Wolf administration, the medical community, the recovery community, and insurers for convening this roundtable to reinforce and expand our efforts to address Pennsylvania’s opioid emergency.” Sen. Tartaglione said. “As we strive to heal people who suffer from opioid use disorder, it is crucial that we identify and treat the mental health conditions that often contribute to and perpetuate their illness. We must develop and employ an integrated approach that treats the entire person, an approach that prepares patients for a healthy and productive life.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or is considering suicide, help is available. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact Crisis Text Line by texting PA to 741-741.
Find more information on the Wolf Administration’s fight against the opioid crisis here.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle- 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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by Christin Brown | Enero 30, 2020 | News Releases
Asbestos and lead paint detection and remediation will be two focus areas for statewide targeted investments at schools, day care centers, homes, and public water systems.
Harrisburg, PA, Enero 30, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) yesterday joined Governor Tom Wolf and many of her legislative colleagues to announce a $1.1 billion combined state and federal funding proposal for the remediation of toxic materials including asbestos and lead from Pennsylvania’s schools, day care centers, homes, and public water systems.
The major portion of the proposal is an investment of up to $1 billion in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant opportunities for aging schools throughout the state where toxins threaten the health of students, teachers, staff, and the community members who visit the facilities.
“This is a timely and meaningful commitment to Pennsylvania’s students and educators, a far-reaching and comprehensive investment in our aging school buildings,” Senator Tartaglione said. “There is an urgent need for these resources because with every week, every day, and every hour that passes, countless individuals may be exposed to undetected toxic substances.”
The governor also proposed leveraging $4 million in state funding to obtain $10 million in additional federal funding through the Health Services Initiative (HSI), a collaboration involving the Department of Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to remediate lead in places where children have been exposed to high levels of the harmful substance.
Further, the governor proposed employing recently adopted federal legislation that allows states to transfer dollars from their clean water state revolving fund allocations into their drinking water state revolving funds. Doing so could free up to $90 million in Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) grants for lead water service line replacements.
To address housing-related lead-based paint hazards, Pennsylvania and several local communities within the state have been awarded $22.5 million in grants through the federal Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program since last Septiembre. The governor has proposed to convene a roundtable of these recipients coordinated by the state’s Department of Health to ensure collaboration in the implementation of their hazard reduction projects.
Finally, the Wolf administration has applied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a $1.7 million Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grant. The EPA has not announced the award recipients for the program. Funding would support environmental testing at 3,000 Pennsylvania schools and childcare facilities.
In recent months, Senator Tartaglione has worked closely with public school stakeholders from Philadelphia and from throughout the Commonwealth to develop solutions to the pervasive toxic schools problem.
Six public schools in Philadelphia, including several in Senator Tartaglione’s district, have been shut down for emergency repairs this academic year after environmental tests revealed the presence of hazardous asbestos. One elementary school was closed for more than three weeks, declared safe to reopen, then closed again just two days later when additional asbestos was detected.
“We know that until the late 1970s, asbestos was commonly used in school construction. In Philadelphia and communities of all sizes throughout the state, most schools fall into that category,” Senator Tartaglione said. “We know the threat. The fear is what we don’t know about. Experts tell us it can take years, even decades, after someone is exposed to asbestos for harmful and often fatal illnesses to surface.”
Earlier this month, Senator Tartaglione convened a summit of local, state, and federal elected officials, organized labor leaders, and public-school officials where participants shared knowledge and ideas on the issue.
“Our conversations then and those I have had with various stakeholders since then reaffirm that this is not just a Philadelphia issue, a Democratic or Republican issue, or an urban or rural issue,” Senator Tartaglione said. “It’s an issue for all Pennsylvanians. Protecting the health of our school children, teachers, staff, and administrators must be our highest priority as we fulfill our Constitutional obligation to provide all kids with access to equal and safe public education. We have inherited a heavy burden, and we all have a role in carrying the load.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 17, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Enero 17, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement regarding the School District of Philadelphia’s response to asbestos contamination at Alexander McClure Elementary School and at Francis Hopkinson Elementary School:
“I am extremely frustrated and deeply concerned that the School District of Philadelphia was forced to close Alexander McClure Elementary School for a second time today after new environmental testing revealed that the district failed to properly contain hazardous airborne asbestos in the building. The district spent more than three weeks on this emergency project before declaring McClure safe to reopen just two days ago.”
“I am equally disappointed that the district has also detected hazardous asbestos inside Francis Hopkinson Elementary School. Yet – in this case – it has chosen to keep the building open for regularly scheduled classes and activities. It is my understanding that the district notified students’ parents in a letter, but it did not promptly share its new knowledge of this threat with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.”
“These two cases, within the context of the citywide toxic schools crisis, raise serious questions about the district’s ability or will to systematically identify and promptly remediate materials that threaten the health of students, faculty, and staff. They also demonstrate a troubling lack of consistent and effective communication by the district with its many stakeholders including students and their families, teachers, staff, and the communities served by the schools.”
“In light of these two cases, and the unresolved complaints of environmental hazards at many other public schools, I call upon the district to complete comprehensive and fully transparent environmental inspections immediately at every public school throughout Philadelphia.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
William Kenny
Communications Director for
State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione
Office: 215-533-0440
William.Kenny@pasenate.com
by Christin Brown | Enero 14, 2020 | News Releases
The Frankford CDC will use the Local Share Account funding to stabilize the blighted Paul Street property and prepare it for commercial and residential redevelopment.
Philadelphia, PA − Enero 14, 2020 − State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) visited the headquarters of the Frankford Community Development Corporation (CDC) today to deliver a $54,610 state grant that will help the CDC to stabilize and rehabilitate a fire-damaged mixed-use property in the heart of the local commercial district.
“The CDC has made great strides in recent years to revitalize the Frankford Avenue corridor, remove blight, and promote the growth of new businesses. This public investment will enable the CDC to continue its work, which has had a tremendous positive impact throughout the community,” Senator Tartaglione said.
The grant was awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account program, which reallocates a portion of the funds generated by casinos that operate slot machines within Philadelphia.
“The Local Share Account grant will allow the Frankford CDC to stabilize what is now a hazardous and blighted site at 4663 Paul Street,” said Kimberly Washington, Esq., executive director of the Frankford CDC. “This vacant property is the last remaining site on the block in need of improvements, making it vital to the Frankford CDC’s goals to revitalize Frankford Avenue as set out in its Reimagining Margaret-Orthodox initiative.”
On Octubre 26, 2018, flames ravaged the three-story storefront, which is just two doors from the Frankford CDC office and less than a block from SEPTA’s bustling Market-Frankford El. The multi-alarm blaze largely gutted the property, which was being used as an unlicensed boarding house. It burned for several hours and spread to a neighboring building, causing severe damage to the second and third floors of both structures.
Frankford CDC bought the property last fall and will use the new grant funding for the first phase of its rehabilitation, including cleanout, demolition, framing, roof replacement, and floor stabilization. These measures will address any immediate safety issues and prevent structural damage to neighboring buildings.
The non-profit CDC will seek to raise additional funding to complete final renovations that will include commercial space on the ground floor, as well as four affordable housing units on the second and third floors.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Enero 7, 2020 | News Releases
$50,000 in combined funding will enable teachers to visit local employers to learn the skills and industry trends that will improve their students’ career readiness.
Philadelphia, PA, Enero 6, 2020 – State Senator Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today announced that two schools in the 2nd Senate District are among 92 Local Education Agencies (LEA) across Pennsylvania that have been awarded Teacher in the Workplace grants through the state’s Department of Education.
Antonia Pantoja Community Charter School at 4101 N. American Street and John B. Stetson Charter School at 3200 B Street will each receive a $25,000 targeted grant to enable teachers to visit local employers and learn the skills and industry trends to enhance their classroom instruction, improve student learning, and improve students’ career readiness.
“The greatest professional challenge facing young people today is not finding a job. It’s finding a career that will support them and their families for many years to come,” Senator Tartaglione said. “To meet this challenge, it is vital for educators to understand the changing labor market and to learn what careers provide students with the best opportunities.”
The Department of Education awarded $2.2 million in targeted grants to schools statewide. Grants are also available through the Department of Labor for other LEAs including businesses, chambers of commerce, labor organizations, postsecondary institutions, community organizations, public libraries, trade associations, and economic development entities. Teacher in the Workplace grants consist of federal funding allocated through the Every Student Succeeds Act and state funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Diciembre 20, 2019 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA, Diciembre 20, 2019 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement regarding the School District of Philadelphia’s closures of Laura H. Carnell Elementary School and Alexander K. McClure Elementary School due to the detection of hazardous asbestos in the schools:
“I was disheartened and disturbed, but not surprised, to learn that hazardous asbestos has been detected at Carnell and McClure, both of which serve families of the 2nd Senate District. As a member of the Fund Our Facilities Coalition and through the diligent advocacy of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, I have become keenly aware of the pervasiveness of hazardous materials in public schools throughout the city and I remain committed to identifying resources that will enable the School District to eliminate the threats and protect the health of the people who occupy these aging facilities every day.”
“In addition, I will continue to fight for state legislation that will extend OSHA safety protections for state and local public employees, as well as all people who use our public buildings. It’s tragic that our schoolchildren and our dedicated educators cannot focus on the important work they do without fearing long-term and potentially fatal health complications. I commend the School District for taking swift action to close Carnell and McClure until the hazards are remediated. Yet, formulating, adopting, and funding a comprehensive plan to remediate ALL schools must be our top priority.”
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
por Christin Brown | 18 de diciembre de 2019 | Salario mínimo, Comunicados de prensa
Filadelfia, PA, 18 de diciembre de 2019 - Los legisladores demócratas de ambas cámaras de la Asamblea General de Pensilvania evocaron a The Grinch y Scrooge para denunciar la inacción del liderazgo republicano de la Cámara sobre el Proyecto de Ley 79 del Senado, legislación que aumentaría el salario mínimo de Pensilvania a $ 9,50 por hora para enero de 2022.
Los senadores estatales Christine M. Tartaglione y Art Haywood, y los representantes estatales Patty Kim y Christopher M. Rabb fueron los anfitriones de la rueda de prensa. Patty Kim y Christopher M. Rabb organizaron la conferencia de prensa con el apoyo de sus colegas demócratas y el Secretario de Trabajo e Industria W. Gerard Oleksiak. Los cuatro legisladores han introducido legislación destinada a modernizar la Ley de Salario Mínimo de Pensilvania para reflejar el aumento de los costos de vida y criar a las familias en la Commonwealth.
El senador Tartaglione, principal promotor de la SB 79, leyó un pasaje del clásico del Dr. Seuss, "Cómo el Grinch robó la Navidad", mientras comparaba al presidente de la Cámara, Mike Turzai, con el infame personaje del poema.
"Hay literalmente millones de 'Whos' viviendo en cada ciudad, en cada pueblecito y en cada 'Whoville' a lo largo y ancho de esta gran Commonwealth", dijo el senador Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia). "A diferencia de las adorables criaturas del clásico del Dr. Seuss, su difícil situación no es nada para deleitarnos cada temporada navideña".
"Aumentar el salario mínimo ha sido una prioridad este año, y hemos fallado a los trabajadores de Pensilvania para aprobar este proyecto de ley", dijo el senador Haywood (D-Montgomery / Filadelfia). "Estoy aquí con mis colegas para seguir ofreciendo apoyo para aumentar el salario mínimo en Pensilvania y sacar a las familias trabajadoras de la pobreza."
El representante Rabb (demócrata de Filadelfia) amplió el tema navideño citando la novela de Charles Dickens "Cuento de Navidad", equiparando al presidente Turzai con Ebenezer Scrooge y advirtiéndole de que los espíritus de las Navidades pasadas, presentes y venideras pronto podrían hacerle una visita.
"Esta gente trabajadora no está pidiendo caridad", dijo el diputado Rabb. "Esta gente trabaja -trabaja duro- 40, 50 horas a la semana o más. Esta gente está sirviendo las cenas de Navidad, limpiando los hoteles en los que se alojan los familiares que nos visitan y asegurándose de que tenemos un lugar donde comprar gasolina, pilas y leche cuando todo lo demás está cerrado. Piden el salario justo por una dura jornada de trabajo que se han ganado y que se les debe".
"El modesto aumento en el proyecto de ley 79 del Senado haría una gran diferencia para tantas familias, especialmente las familias y los hogares encabezados por mujeres", dijo el Representante Kim (D-Dauphin). "Estoy triste, estoy decepcionado, pero también estoy dispuesto a luchar hasta que estas personas reciban el aumento que se han ganado".
El salario mínimo básico de Pensilvania se sitúa en el mínimo nacional de 7,25 dólares la hora y no ha aumentado desde 2009, cuando entró en vigor la tasa federal. Pensilvania promulgó por última vez un aumento de su salario mínimo el 9 de julio de 2006. Es decir, hace 4.910 días.
Con un fuerte apoyo bipartidista, el Senado aprobó por abrumadora mayoría el proyecto de ley SB 79 el 20 de noviembre. La legislación se trasladó entonces a la Cámara para su consideración y se remitió a su Comité de Trabajo e Industria. Los líderes de la Cámara no han avanzado el proyecto de ley o programado para su consideración por el comité.
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by Christin Brown | Diciembre 16, 2019 | News Releases
The investment will help to provide more than 900 public school students with new learning and active play opportunities in a safe and secure outdoor environment.
Philadelphia, PA, Diciembre 13, 2019 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) was joined by State Rep. Jared Solomon at Carnell Elementary School today for the presentation of a $200,388 Pennsylvania grant in support of a new Green Playscape and Community Design project at the school.
Coordinated by the non-profit Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association, the project will transform a barren, asphalt-covered yard adjoining Carnell’s two instructional buildings into a vibrant recreational and educational space with a climbing wall, play surface and mounds, language path, basketball and soccer goals, and other interactive playground equipment.
“This Green Playscape project is a great example of the power of strong public-private partnerships to create positive change in our communities,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The investment we are making here today will help to create an attractive and useful recreational and learning space that will benefit thousands of children for many years to come.”
The grant was administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account, which distributes a portion of slot machine license fees paid by casinos operating in Philadelphia. OCCCDA Executive Director Pearl Wang-Herrera, Carnell Principal Hilderbrand Pelzer III, and Community Design Collaborative Director of Design Heidi Segall Levy took part in the check presentation ceremony.
“We are so thankful for the DCED LSA funding and are excited to transform the current empty asphalt lot to provide a playground to engage the 900 students at Carnell with creative activities and a safe environment,” Wang-Herrera said.
The conceptual plans include a centrally located mural on the ground and a walking path with images that celebrate the cultural diversity of the student population. Two basketball goals and two soccer goals will be installed with a 15-foot fence bordering the court. Recycled rubber surfaces and mounds will help to demarcate play areas dedicated to younger and older pupils.
In addition, a “rock” wall for climbing and surrounding play surface will enable students to strengthen their body coordination, while ADA-approved ramps and pathways will provide full accessibility to the facility. The total cost of the project will be about $1 million.
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Diciembre 3, 2019 | News Releases
The investment will help New Kensington CDC to create affordable, neighborhood-oriented commercial and residential units that will revitalize the business corridor.
Philadelphia, PA, Diciembre 3, 2019 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) delivered a $150,000 Pennsylvania grant today to the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) to help the non-profit organization redevelop two formerly vacant storefronts at 2513-15 Frankford Ave. The adjoining properties will be converted into affordable, neighborhood-oriented commercial and residential space that will revitalize the surrounding business corridor.
The grant was awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Local Share Account program, a fund that distributes a portion of slot machine license fees paid by casinos operating within the City of Philadelphia. Senator Tartaglione visited New Kensington’s new Ruth Street offices to present the funding to CEO Felix Torres-Colon and other New Kensington officials.
“For more than 30 years, New Kensington CDC has done a tremendous job facilitating and overseeing the revitalization of the Frankford Avenue corridor. This is an area that fell on hard times due to the decline of local manufacturing, but it is now growing once again thanks to their efforts,” Senator Tartaglione said. “This state funding will assist the local renaissance by bringing affordable retail and residential space to the avenue, along with jobs and commerce.”
“NKCDC is very excited to receive this Local Share grant from Pennsylvania DCED,” Torres-Colon said. “When we moved our offices to Orinoka Civic House on Somerset Street this year, we saw an opportunity to make another investment in our old office space on Frankford Avenue. In their neighborhood plan, East Kensington residents asked for development that promotes local businesses and maintains affordability. We look forward to creating commercial space and rental apartments that will add to the lively, walkable neighborhood along Frankford Avenue.”
NKCDC acquired the Frankford Avenue properties from the City of Philadelphia in the late 1980s. They were vacant at the time. The non-profit organization established its offices there as it grew to employ 25 people. Earlier this year, NKCDC completed its conversion of a former mill building at Ruth and Somerset streets into Orinoka Civic House. The CDC offices are now located there along with 51 affordable apartment units.
Re-establishing the Frankford Avenue properties as mixed-use, commercial/residential buildings will restore their original, intended use and will be consistent with the city’s Philadelphia2035 Comprehensive Plan for the River Wards. The project will make the properties fully ADA compliant, provide much-needed affordable housing, and expand neighborhood commerce while creating new jobs.
NKCDC, which manages the corridor and maintains it under contract with the city, will market the new commercial properties to potential tenants and support the new businesses as they grow with the community. For information about NKCDC, visit nkcdc.org.Frankford Avenue Storefronts, Senator Christine Tartaglione, Grants
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Si desea más información sobre este tema, póngase en contacto con William Kenny en el 215-533-0440 o en William.Kenny@pasenate.com.
by Christin Brown | Noviembre 27, 2019 | News Releases
After delivering the Local Share Account grant to Impact Services Corp., the senator and State Rep. Angel Cruz served Thanksgiving meals to formerly homeless local veterans.
Philadelphia, PA − Noviembre 27, 2019 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and State Rep. Angel Cruz delivered a $427,479 grant from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development to Impact Services Corp. today in support of the nonprofit organization’s renovation of a former Kensington textile mill into a community gymnasium and multi-use campus.
The 12,000-square-foot gymnasium project is part of a $30 million mixed-use redevelopment of the former Downs Carpet Mill on the corner of ‘A’ and Indiana streets. Impact Services’ longterm plans for the site – which is part of its “Hope Park Focus Zone” – also include 48 affordable housing units, 60,000 square feet of commercial space, a community center, a health center, and a business incubator. Impact Services already provides housing and supportive services for formerly homeless veterans on-site.
“This project has the potential to completely transform this block and the surrounding neighborhood into a social, cultural, and economic destination. So I was thrilled to help Impact Services secure this major state funding,” Senator Tartaglione said.
“I am pleased that DCED awarded a grant for this project because it is much-needed for the community,” Representative Cruz said. “And I hope to continue supporting the redevelopment of this site.”
“This development is an example of what becomes possible when neighbors and government come together to strengthen a neighborhood,” Impact Services CEO Casey O’Donnell said. “We are grateful that state officials share in the vision and are making the needed investment.”
The grant presented by Senator Tartaglione and Representative Cruz will specifically be used for site preparation, utility separation, demolition of non-historic buildings, heating, air conditioning, and bathroom upgrades. The overall redevelopment project is detailed in Impact Services’ “Heart of Kensington” neighborhood plan and involves the entire 140,000-square-foot former mill. Information about the plan is available at www.impactservices.org/neighborhoodplan/.
The Hope Park Focus Zone contains some of Philadelphia’s most-active blocks for drug activity and crimes. The presence of vacant buildings and lots throughout the area contribute to the drug and crime problems. Yet, the vacancies also provide “clean slate” opportunities for redevelopment.
Impact Services has been working in the Kensington neighborhood since 1974 to help residents get job training, reenter the workforce, find housing, and build the community. In the last two decades, the agency has developed a specific focus on building a continuum of services including housing for homeless veterans. The agency offers transitional and permanent housing for about 200 veterans in two large facilities and several scattered sites.
The grant presented by Senator Tartaglione and Representative Cruz today was administered through DCED’s Local Share Account program, which distributes a portion of slot machine license fees paid by casinos operating within the City of Philadelphia.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Kenny at 215-5330440 or mailto:William.Kenny@pasenate.com.v
por Christin Brown | 20 de noviembre de 2019 | Salario mínimo, Comunicados de prensa
Harrisburg - 20 de noviembre de 2019 - Hoy, la senadora estatal Christine Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia), se unió al senador estatal Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Filadelfia), la representante estatal Patty Kim (D-103), el representante estatal Chris Rabb (D-200) y la organización de defensa State Innovation Exchange (SiX) para una conferencia de prensa. Este evento de medios de comunicación fue en respuesta a la aprobación del Senado de la legislación para aumentar la tasa de salario mínimo a $ 9.50 en enero de 2022.
"Cualquier aumento del salario mínimo es un paso en la dirección correcta, pero el proyecto de ley aprobado hoy por el Senado está muy por debajo de lo que los trabajadores de Pensilvania necesitan y merecen. Este no es el proyecto de ley por el que he estado luchando. No es el proyecto de ley que mis colegas en el Senado y la Cámara han estado luchando por", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Y no es el proyecto de ley que los trabajadores han estado luchando. Los trabajadores de Pensilvania merecen más. Debemos seguir luchando por más y no pararemos hasta conseguirlo".
"Hoy he votado a favor de aumentar el salario mínimo a 9,50 dólares en un período de 24 meses. Sigue sin haber cambios en el salario de propina para los trabajadores de restaurantes, no hay ajuste anual del coste de la vida con la inflación, y mantiene la prohibición de que las ciudades aumenten su propio salario mínimo", dijo el senador Haywood. "El cambio de 7,25 a 9,50 dólares da a los trabajadores con salario mínimo un aumento de 4.680 dólares. Continuaré los esfuerzos en mi distrito para aumentar el salario mínimo a 15 dólares la hora empresa por empresa y bloque por bloque hasta que haya un salario justo."
"Después de casi una década de Pennsylvania a la zaga de los estados vecinos, los republicanos están finalmente reconociendo que nuestro salario mínimo actual es nada menos que un salario de pobreza. Sin embargo, su respuesta a H.B. 1215 y S.B. 79 es una contrapropuesta inadecuada a la sustancia de un salario justo. Es similar a mantener el cuchillo económico en el costado de los trabajadores pobres, pero buscando elogios por sacarlo una pulgada", dijo el representante estatal Chris Rabb. "Más del 40% de la mano de obra de Pensilvania está trabajando en empleos de salario mínimo. Debemos asegurarnos de que los trabajadores puedan mantener adecuadamente a sus familias luchando por un salario digno mientras rompemos el azote de la pobreza."
"Según una encuesta encargada por State Innovation Exchange (SiX) y realizada por TargetSmart, los votantes de Pensilvania apoyan una amplia gama de políticas en el estado para aumentar los salarios, fortalecer nuestra democracia, reformar el sistema de justicia penal y proteger el medio ambiente", dijo la Directora de Pensilvania para State Innovation Exchange (SiX), Nikkilia Lu. "El 62% de los votantes apoya aumentar el salario mínimo de Pensilvania a quince dólares la hora en los próximos cinco años".
Esta legislación está pendiente de votación en la Cámara de Pensilvania.
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by Kyrie George | Noviembre 20, 2019 | Minimum Wage, News Releases, Videos
