by Christin Brown | Abril 1, 2021 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Abril 1, 2021 − State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) welcomed hundreds of constituents to Cedar Grove Academy in Northeast Philadelphia today for a free pop-up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. The senator partnered with state Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) and SunRay Drugs to organize and manage the one-day event in the city’s Lawncrest neighborhood.
“I am extremely pleased that we were able to deliver much-needed virus protection to the people of the 2nd Senate District and beyond,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Our goal is to make vaccination available and convenient for all eligible residents of the city. We achieved that today and will continue to work to improve vaccine access.”
Senator Tartaglione’s 2nd District spans portions of Northeast Philadelphia, Juniata, Kensington, and North Philadelphia. The city’s Department of Public Health has classified many communities in the district as high-risk for COVID exposure and has sought to increase vaccination rates in those communities.
SunRay Drugs, an independent chain of pharmacies with 25 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, administered all vaccinations by appointment in accordance with Department of Public Health eligibility policy. Vaccines were available to individuals 65 and older, as well as those who qualify as Phase 1A or 1B by virtue of high-risk employment or medical conditions. A full explanation of current eligibility conditions in the city is posted on the Department’s website. These conditions apply only to Philadelphia. All other Pennsylvania counties are subject to guidance from the state’s Department of Health.
Individuals who were unable to attend today’s pop-up clinic and have not been vaccinated may call Senator Tartaglione’s office at 215-533-0440 or 215-291-4653 to sign up for a waiting list for a future pop-up clinic. The senator’s office will contact you when details are available.
Separately, Philadelphia residents are encouraged to complete the city’s Vaccine Interest Form online to become eligible for service at a city-operated clinic.
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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 15, 2021 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Marzo 15, 2021 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today joined First Lady of Pennsylvania Frances Wolf, Second Lady of Pennsylvania Gisele Fetterman, and many of the senator’s General Assembly colleagues to launch the Women Supporting Working Women campaign. A recording of the even can be viewed at www.PayPAWomen.com.
“As we celebrate women’s history throughout Marzo, it is important that we continue to make history by advancing gender equality,” Senator Tartaglione said. “It is unacceptable in 2021 that women continue to earn less than men for comparable work. And it is unacceptable that our low-wage workforce is disproportionately comprised of women. Raising the minimum wage would help correct these injustices.”
State Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) hosted the virtual news conference, which was also broadcast live via www.PASenate.com/live and on the Facebook page of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus.
“This event brings together strong women leaders from different branches of government and all walks of life,” Rep. Kim said. “Our common goal here is to raise the minimum wage and support working women and their families. We want to hear your stories, as well as ask for your support. Working together, we can achieve anything.”
Visit www.PayPAWomen.com to learn more about how raising the minimum wage can help working families, the campaign, and how to get involved.
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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 9, 2021 | News Releases
Senators Sabatina and Tartaglione collaborated to get site in their community.
Philadelphia, Marzo 9 2021 − Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) are pleased to announce there will soon be a new COVID-19 vaccination location in Northeast Philadelphia. The state senators worked diligently with city officials to secure the Northeast’s first municipal vaccination site, which will serve constituents from both of their senate districts.
“According to the city’s own published data, some of the hardest hit ZIP codes are in Northeast Philly,” Sabatina said. “Yet many of my neighbors would have to travel quite a distance to get a vaccine when eligible.”
Senator Tartaglione agreed.
“Every day constituents call my district offices to ask how they can sign up for a vaccine and why there are few if any convenient vaccination sites in their neighborhoods,” Tartaglione said. “This new vaccination site will be much more accessible for the people of the Northeast.”
The site will be located at Cannstatter Volkesfest Verein, a landmark catering facility at 9130 Academy Road, in the 19114 ZIP code. The next closest city-operated site is at Community Academy Charter School in the Juniata Park neighborhood.
Sabatina praised Cannstatter’s for stepping up.
“Such great people at Cannstatter’s, they’re always there for us,” said Sabatina, who has hosted community events there. “It’s a convenient location for many of our friends and neighbors and the property layout presents many advantages for an operation like this.”
The city is getting a boost with the FEMA site at the Convention Center in Center City. Sabatina called the new Northeast location a no-brainer.
“Northeast Philadelphia is an incredibly diverse region, has a large senior population and is roughly one fourth of the city,” Sabatina said. “I’m glad that this important section of the city is being recognized as deserving of a vaccination site.”
Senator Tartaglione added: “I appreciate and thank all the community organizations and volunteers who have led efforts to distribute vaccinations throughout the city. The people of the Northeast have been very patient throughout this process, and I’m glad to see that the city will be directly addressing their needs.”
The site is scheduled to open the week of Marzo 22. The City of Philadelphia will release more details on hours of operation and how to sign up. Both Senators recommend their constituents register their names on the COVID Vaccine-Interest website at https://covid-vaccine-interest.phila.gov/
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by Christin Brown | Febrero 17, 2021 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Febrero 17, 2021 − State Senator Christine Tartaglione has been appointed by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa as a member of the Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board, a 23-member bipartisan panel created by the legislature in 2020 to review and make recommendations to improve the Pennsylvania Election Code.
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our system of self-government as Americans and as Pennsylvanians. I am honored that Leader Costa has appointed me to serve on the Election Law Advisory Board, which will work to maintain the integrity and improve the efficiency of all elections in the Commonwealth,” Senator Tartaglione said.
The Election Law Advisory Board exists under Article XIII-E of the Election Code and was added to the code on Marzo 27, 2020. The panel consists of the Secretary of State or the secretary’s designee, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or designee, the Minority Leader of the Senate or designee, the Speaker of the House or designee, and the Minority Leader of the House or designee. It also consists of one appointee by the Governor from each of Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts, with no more than half of the appointees representing the same political party.
The duties of the board are to study the entirety of the Election Code and identify statutory language to repeal, modify, or update; to collaborate with other agencies and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth to study election-related issues; to study the development of new election technology and voting machines; and to evaluate and make recommendations on improving the electoral process in the Commonwealth and implementing best practices identified to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process.
The board is further charged with publishing, by the end of each fiscal year, extensive and detailed findings on the Joint State Government Commission’s publicly accessible website. These findings are to be made available in electronic format to the Office of the Governor and members of the General Assembly.
Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence has been named chairperson of the board by a unanimous vote of board members.
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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 | 3 de febrero de 2021 | Comunicados de prensa
Durante su discurso sobre el presupuesto para el año fiscal 2021-2022, el gobernador Wolf habló sobre el salario mínimo, la financiación de las pequeñas empresas, la creación de empleo y el desarrollo de la mano de obra.
Filadelfia, PA - 3 de febrero de 2021 - La senadora estatal Christine Tartaglione emitió la siguiente declaración en respuesta al discurso sobre el presupuesto del año fiscal 2021-2022 pronunciado hoy por el gobernador Tom Wolf durante una sesión conjunta de la Asamblea General de Pensilvania:
"Llevo mucho tiempo luchando en la Asamblea General por políticas que mejoren la vida de los trabajadores de Pensilvania, sus familias y sus comunidades. A la luz de la pandemia de COVID-19, estas prioridades son más importantes ahora que nunca. Aplaudo al Gobernador Wolf por incorporar mi agenda en las propuestas de la administración, y por compartir mi visión de una Commonwealth definida por la igualdad y la oportunidad para todos.
"Con aproximadamente 5 millones de ciudadanos de Pensilvania que han solicitado prestaciones por desempleo desde marzo, debemos centrarnos en volver a poner a la gente a trabajar. Apoyo plenamente la nueva ronda de ayudas a las pequeñas empresas solicitada por el gobernador, así como su recomendación de que Pensilvania reinvierta los fondos federales para la pandemia en la reparación de materiales tóxicos en nuestras escuelas. Proyectos como estos mantendrán a salvo a nuestros escolares y crearán puestos de trabajo bien remunerados.
"El gobernador y yo estamos de acuerdo en que es vital que Pensilvania aumente su salario mínimo. El actual, de 7,25 dólares la hora, equivale a un salario de pobreza. El aumento de la tasa de 12 dólares este año y 15 dólares en los próximos seis años permitirá a los trabajadores de bajos salarios a trabajar su manera de salir de la pobreza al tiempo que mejora la moral y la productividad, y reducir su dependencia de la asistencia pública. Como resultado, mi legislación sobre el salario mínimo, SB 12, también beneficiará a los empleadores, los contribuyentes y nuestra economía de consumo. Y lo que es más importante, contribuirá a avanzar en la igualdad de ingresos para las mujeres y las minorías.
"Nuestro presupuesto debe atender las necesidades urgentes de creación de empleo de la Commonwealth, pero también debemos mirar hacia el futuro y considerar cómo ayudaremos a preparar a los ciudadanos de Pensilvania para las oportunidades de empleo del futuro. La inversión propuesta por el gobernador en un sistema reformado de desarrollo de la mano de obra permitirá a los ciudadanos de Pensilvania adquirir habilidades laborales comercializables y ayudará a reconstruir la clase media. Y también ayudará a eliminar las barreras al empleo a las que se enfrentan muchas personas, como las necesidades de transporte y cuidado de niños.
"En general, estoy muy animado de que el gobernador Wolf haya dado prioridad a las iniciativas de socorro y recuperación de la pandemia que tanto se necesitan, al tiempo que reitera su defensa de larga data de la agenda pro-trabajador y pro-familia que compartimos. Espero con interés trabajar con la administración y mis colegas legislativos durante el próximo proceso presupuestario para lograr estos objetivos."
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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 | 27 de enero de 2021 | Salario Mínimo, Comunicados de Prensa
Descargar hechos → | Descargar comentarios completos →
La futura Ley 12 del Senado elevaría el salario mínimo de Pensilvania a 15 dólares la hora, mientras que la Ley de Subida Salarial de 2021 elevaría la tasa federal al mismo nivel.
Filadelfia, PA - 27 de enero de 2021 - Los trabajadores con salario mínimo de Pensilvania no han recibido un aumento salarial sustancial en más de 14 años. Hoy, la senadora estatal Christine Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia) y el representante de EE.UU. Brendan Boyle (D-Pensilvania) detallaron sus esfuerzos para aumentar el salario mínimo para la Commonwealth y para la nación al comenzar las nuevas sesiones legislativas en Harrisburg y Washington, DC.
Durante una reunión virtual con los medios de comunicación, la senadora Tartaglione anunció que pronto presentará una ley que aumentaría el salario mínimo de Pensilvania a 12 dólares por hora este año y pondría a la Commonwealth en el camino hacia un salario mínimo de 15 dólares. El proyecto de ley se conocerá como Proyecto de Ley del Senado 12.
El congresista Boyle debatió la Ley de Subida Salarial de 2021, presentada ayer,26 de enero, en la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos. El proyecto de ley propone aumentar gradualmente el salario mínimo federal a 15 dólares por hora y ha obtenido el apoyo de los líderes de la Cámara de Representantes y el Senado de EE.UU.. El Presidente Biden ha pedido al Congreso que adopte un salario mínimo federal de 15 dólares como parte de su plan de recuperación económica.
En la actualidad, el salario mínimo de Pensilvania es de 7,25 dólares por hora, la misma cuantía que el mínimo federal. La legislatura de Pensilvania elevó por última vez el salario mínimo el 30 de junio de 2006, mediante el proyecto de ley 1090 del Senado. El senador Tartaglione fue el principal promotor de ese proyecto de ley, que elevó el salario mínimo del estado de 5,15 a 7,15 dólares.
Tres años después, el Congreso elevó el salario mínimo federal a 7,25 dólares, y la tasa de Pensilvania hizo lo propio.
"Han pasado 5.317 días desde la última vez que la Legislatura de Pensilvania aumentó el salario mínimo. Eso es más de 14 años y es demasiado tiempo", dijo la senadora Tartaglione, haciéndose eco del lenguaje que introduce en el acta del Senado cada día de sesión. "Con el salario mínimo actual, un trabajador a tiempo completo gana sólo 15.000 dólares al año. No es suficiente para vivir, ni siquiera para una persona soltera sin hijos ni personas a cargo. Es un salario de pobreza. Aumentar el salario mínimo no es sólo una cuestión económica. Es una cuestión moral".
"Ningún estadounidense que trabaje a tiempo completo debería vivir en la pobreza", declaró el congresista Boyle. Los estadounidenses que trabajan 40 horas a la semana deberían poder poner comida en la mesa y un techo sobre las cabezas de sus familias, pero con el salario mínimo estancado en 7,25 dólares, son demasiados los que trabajan duro y siguen en la pobreza". Incluso antes de la pandemia del COVID-19, el salario mínimo federal de 7,25 dólares era económica y moralmente indefendible. Ahora, la pandemia está poniendo de manifiesto el enorme desequilibrio entre la productividad de los trabajadores de nuestro país y los salarios que perciben. Elevar el salario mínimo federal a 15 dólares será un impulso para la economía, un impulso para la productividad y un impulso para nuestra mano de obra. Aumentar los salarios es un buen negocio".
A nivel estatal, el proyecto de ley 12 del Senado elevaría el salario mínimo a 12 dólares este año y 50 céntimos más cada año hasta alcanzar los 15 dólares. A partir de entonces, la tasa se ajustaría anualmente en función del Índice de Precios al Consumo. Además, la legislación del senador Tartaglione eliminaría el salario mínimo por debajo del mínimo para los que dan propinas (que actualmente está fijado en 2,83 dólares por hora) y derogaría el derecho preferente, que impide a los gobiernos locales de la Commonwealth aumentar el salario mínimo en sus jurisdicciones. Además, el proyecto de ley 12 del Senado otorgaría al Departamento de Trabajo e Industria más competencias para investigar las infracciones de la legislación salarial y aumentaría las sanciones a los empresarios que la incumplan.
El senador Tartaglione señaló que tan recientemente como en 2019, una encuesta estatal de votantes registrados encontró que el 69% está a favor de aumentar el salario mínimo a $ 12. Otra encuesta de ese año encontró que el 56% de los votantes apoyan un salario mínimo de $ 15. Veintinueve estados han adoptado salarios mínimos más altos que la tasa federal, incluidos los seis vecinos inmediatos de Pensilvania. Nueve estados han adoptado un salario mínimo de 15 dólares.
"El nivel de apoyo a estos aumentos no hará sino crecer a medida que los precios al consumo suban y a los trabajadores con salarios bajos les resulte más difícil llegar a fin de mes, y les resulte casi imposible salir adelante", dijo el senador Tartaglione. "Si Nueva York, Nueva Jersey y Maryland pueden tener un salario mínimo de 15 dólares, y si los votantes de Florida pueden aprobar un salario mínimo de 15 dólares, seguro que Pensilvania puede hacerlo".
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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 20, 2021 | News Releases
The City of Philadelphia will use the funds to construct 31 green stormwater infrastructure systems, helping to manage more than 13 acres of drainage area in the public right of way.
Philadelphia, PA – Enero 20, 2021 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione is pleased to announce that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) board today approved a $6.7 million loan to the City of Philadelphia for the rehabilitation of the stormwater collection system in the Lawncrest neighborhood.
The approved financing will be used to construct 31 green stormwater infrastructure systems, including tree trenches, stormwater bumpouts, and stormwater trees. These systems will manage more than 13 acres of drainage area in the public right of way in Lawncrest. They will reduce the amount of stormwater entering the city’s combined sewer system in the area and help to prevent sewer overflows into local streams and the public water supply.
“Even in a dense urban area like Lawncrest in the heart of one of the nation’s largest cities, environmental protection must be our utmost concern,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Projects like this reduce the amount of contaminated wastewater that, during major storm events, overflow our over-burdened sewers and drain into local waterways like the Tacony Creek and ultimately the Delaware River.”
The project will help the city to satisfy the requirements of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Consent Order and Agreement mandating that the city reduce combined sewer overflows. A combined sewer is a system in which household wastewater and stormwater are drained through the same network of underground pipes. Most of Philadelphia is served by combined sewers.
During major storm events, the volume of stormwater can fill the system and cause untreated wastewater to overflow sewer inlets. This untreated wastewater poses threats to public health, community health, and aquatic health.
For more information about the City of Philadelphia’s efforts to manage stormwater, visit the Philadelphia Water Department website: https://www.phila.gov/water/wu/stormwater/Pages/StormwaterManagement.aspx
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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 enero de 2021 | Salario Mínimo, Comunicados de Prensa
Harrisburg - 18 de enero 2021 - A petición de los senadores estatales Art Haywood (D-Montgomery / Filadelfia), Christine Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia), y John Kane (D- Chester / Delaware) el Comité de Política Democrática del Senado de Pensilvania celebró una audiencia pública virtual sobre el aumento del salario mínimo para los residentes de Pensilvania. La audiencia se celebró el Día de Servicio de Martin Luther King, Jr. para honrar su legado de lucha por los derechos de los trabajadores y la justicia económica.
"Es inaceptable que Pensilvania siga permitiendo que su salario mínimo sea el salario de pobreza de 7,25 dólares la hora", dijo Haywood. "Celebramos esta audiencia hoy en Martin Luther King, Jr. Día de servicio para continuar el trabajo que el Dr. King comenzó exigiendo dignidad y respeto para todos los trabajadores, y eso empieza por pagar a los trabajadores un salario digno."
La Asamblea General de Pensilvania elevó por última vez el salario mínimo en julio de 2007 a 7,25 dólares por hora. Los seis estados limítrofes con Pensilvania han promulgado leyes de salario mínimo superiores a los 7,25 dólares vigentes en la Commonwealth. Maryland, Nueva York, Nueva Jersey, Delaware, Virginia Occidental y Ohio han promulgado salarios mínimos superiores al de Pensilvania, que lleva más de una década estancado en el mínimo federal.
Alissa Barron-Menza, Vicepresidenta de Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, recordó que el salario mínimo se introdujo por primera vez en 1938, durante la Gran Depresión, y que un salario mínimo digno es una herramienta esencial para la recuperación económica.
"Este aumento es una herramienta vital para la recuperación compartida que será buena para las empresas, buena para los clientes y buena para la economía", dijo Barron-Menza.
Morris Pearl, Presidente de Patriotic Millionaires, también afirmó que un aumento del salario mínimo es bueno para la economía. Dijo que una economía fuerte necesita gente con dinero para gastar a fin de mantenerla.
"Los inversores están abrumadoramente a favor de aumentar el salario mínimo", dijo Pearl.
Actualmente, 29 estados y el Distrito de Columbia tienen salarios mínimos superiores al salario mínimo federal de 7,25 dólares por hora, incluidos todos los estados que rodean Pensilvania.
"El hecho de que la Asamblea General de Pensilvania no haya aumentado el salario mínimo desde la aprobación de mi legislación en 2006 es censurable", dijo Tartaglione. "Aunque he seguido patrocinando nueva legislación sobre el salario mínimo en cada sesión desde entonces, la mayoría no ha tomado medidas, dejando que el último aumento que los trabajadores han visto sea un aumento federal de 10 centavos en 2009. Los trabajadores con salario mínimo de Pensilvania merecen algo mejor".
El senador Tartaglione es el principal patrocinador del proyecto de ley 12 del Senado. Esta legislación aumentaría inmediatamente el salario mínimo de Pensilvania a 12 dólares la hora para todos los trabajadores de Pensilvania, con un camino a 15 dólares la hora en 2027. Este proyecto de ley también eliminaría el salario mínimo por propina en Pensilvania, asegurando que todos los trabajadores ganen un salario digno que no dependa de la generosidad o falta de generosidad del patrón.
"Fui fontanero sindicalizado durante casi cuatro décadas, y sé lo importante que eran los salarios dignos y de sustento familiar para mí y para todos nuestros miembros", dijo Kane. "Es un gran problema que nuestros trabajadores de salario mínimo no han visto un aumento en más de una década - tenemos que garantizar que todos los residentes de Pensilvania se les paga un salario digno."
Gene Barr, Presidente y Consejero Delegado de la Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Pensilvania, declaró que su organización no cree que un aumento del salario mínimo en Pensilvania sea la forma más "eficaz de impulsar la asistencia".
Barr dijo que un aumento del salario mínimo perjudicará a las pequeñas empresas, dará lugar a una mayor automatización, y que seguir trabajando con el Estado para reducir las barreras al empleo y ampliar el Crédito Fiscal por Ingreso del Trabajo (EITC) son mejores soluciones.
"Existe un apoyo empresarial mayoritario al aumento del salario mínimo por encima de los niveles actualmente promulgados -a pesar de lo que pueda escuchar de la oposición", replicó Barron-Menza a Barr. "Por ejemplo, una encuesta de 2016 realizada por LuntzGlobal para el Consejo de Cámaras Estatales a 1.000 ejecutivos de empresas de todo el país reveló que el 80% de los encuestados dijeron que apoyaban el aumento del salario mínimo de su estado, mientras que solo el 8% se oponía."
"Nadie debería tener un trabajo a tiempo completo, o varios trabajos a tiempo completo y parcial, y seguir viviendo en la pobreza porque su empleador no está obligado a pagarle un salario digno", dijo la senadora Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), presidenta del Comité de Política Demócrata del Senado. "Todos los trabajadores merecen la dignidad y el respeto de un salario digno, y debemos aumentar el salario mínimo para Pensilvania".
William Spriggs, catedrático de Economía de la Universidad Howard y economista jefe de AFL-CIO, declaró en su testimonio que el aumento del salario mínimo también es esencial para acabar con las diferencias salariales entre hombres y mujeres y entre razas, cuya existencia reconocen ampliamente los economistas.
Spriggs también dijo que el salario mínimo está pagando menos a la gente en la industria de servicios (2,83 dólares en Pensilvania para los trabajadores de restaurantes) o está sesgado en función de donde viven, y también tiene, "raíces muy racistas".
Ashona Denise Osborne se unió a la lucha del SEIU (Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicios) por un salario mínimo de 15 dólares la hora después de trabajar en empleos con salario mínimo toda su vida, criar a su hijo como madre soltera y darse cuenta de que, incluso obteniendo su título asociado en cuidado de niños, "sigue sin ser suficiente".
Muchos otros senadores también asistieron a esta audiencia, entre ellos el líder demócrata del Senado Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Amanda Cappelletti (D- Delaware/Montgomery), Carolyn Committa (D- Chester), Maria Collett (D- Bucks/ Montgomery), Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Vincent Hughes (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia), Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware), Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks), Nikil Saval (D- Philadelphia), Judy Schwank (D- Berks), Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia), Anthony H. Williams (D- Delaware/Filadelfia), y Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny).
A continuación figuran todos los que han testificado en la audiencia de hoy:
- Gene Barr, Presidente y Director General de la Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Pensilvania
- Alissa Barron-Menza, Vicepresidenta de Empresas por un Salario Mínimo Justo
- Morris Pearl, Presidente de Patriotic Millionaires
- Manuel Rosaldo, Centre County Wage Justice Coalition, Profesor Adjunto de Relaciones Laborales, Penn State University
- Jacqui Rogers, Coalición de Defensa de las Mujeres del Condado de Bucks
- William Spriggs, Catedrático de Economía, Howard University y Economista Jefe, AFL-CIO
- Kadida Kenner, Directora de Campañas del PA Budget and Policy Center
- Ashona Denise Osborne, trabajadora del SEIU de Pittsburgh
- Lateefah Curtis, trabajadora de Filadelfia
- Adesola Ogunleye, trabajador de Filadelfia
La grabación completa de esta audiencia puede consultarse en senatormuth.com/policy.
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by Christin Brown | Enero 15, 2021 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Enero 15, 2021 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione has been reappointed as the Democratic Chairwoman of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee for the 2021-2022 session and as a member of the following Senate standing committees: Law & Justice, Banking & Insurance, and Consumer Protections & Professional Licensure. The Senator has also been appointed to the bicameral Legislative Budget & Finance Committee as well as the Senate Committee on Ethics.
Senator Tartaglione will be joined on the Labor & Industry Committee by Democratic Caucus members Senators John Kane, Tim Kearney, and Lindsey Williams.
“I am honored and excited to begin the important work of the Labor & Industry Committee in the new Senate session and to continue to fight for the issues that are most important to the working people of the Commonwealth,” Senator Tartaglione said. “We have many urgent priorities such as raising the minimum wage, protecting workers from COVID-19 and other workplace threats, as well as improving the unemployment compensation system. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to benefit all Pennsylvania families.”
For additional information about the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, visit https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=13&CteeBody=S
For the full list of Senate standing committees, visit https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=S
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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 24, 2020 | News Releases
Grant recipients include Impact Services, Carl Mackley Houses, Esperanza Health Center, Friends of Father Judge High School, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Frankford Library, and the future Trinity PAL Center, Moss Rehab, and Temple University.
Philadelphia, PA – Diciembre 24, 2020 − State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today announced that $10 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants have been awarded in support of nine community development projects in and around the 2nd Senatorial District.
“I am proud and honored to provide these diverse and community-focused organizations with this critical state funding,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The projects represented here will serve local families and the entire Philadelphia region by improving access to housing, commercial real estate, healthcare services, education, and youth engagement programs. I look forward to continue working with all of these organizations as they improve the lives of the people of the 2nd Senatorial District.”
RACP grants were awarded to the following organizations and projects:
- Impact Services; A & Indiana Campus – Philadelphia; $1,000,000; Impact Services is proposing to develop a 140,000 sf former textile mill to improve the Kensington neighborhood of North Philadelphia by renovating an existing 140,000 sf Mill Building, into a mixed-use project including affordable housing (financed separately) and a multi-tenant community serving building. The renovations will include all new systems, floors, historic windows, roofing, elevators, stairs and finishes. The project will also include completion of site work and parking for access to the building.
- Carl Mackley Houses Limited Partnership; Carl Mackley Affordable Housing Reconstruction (1401 E. Bristol St.); $1,000,000; Project includes restoration of the 4 buildings’ facades and replacement of the bricks where necessary. Including exterior masonry restoration, including deconstruction of exterior walls; manufacturing of replacement jumbo bricks; and reconstruction of the exterior walls with existing and replacement bricks. RACP funds are also requested for replacement of the window enclosures where the masonry restoration will occur.
- Esperanza Health Center; Community Medical Care & Wellness Campus-Kensington-Esperanza – Phase 3 (861 E. Allegheny Ave.); $1,000,000; A new community wellness center will be built at 3222-58 H Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, developing an open lot that has been vacant for 13 years into a modern facility serving Kensington community residents. It will include a gymnasium, fitness room with exercise equipment, multi-purpose rooms for health education and wellness activities and a conference center.
- Friends of Father Judge High School, Inc.; FOFJHS Career Pathways Academy (3301 Solly Ave.); $500,000; The Career Pathways Academy Building would be a state-of-the-art 20,000sqft two story building built for the purpose of delivery high level vocational education & workforce development. The Oblate Faculty House will be knocked down to make room for the new structure. The structure would have a massive common area for multiple trade disciplines to be taught simultaneously while 3 classrooms and additional breakout spaces would be created on the 1st floor. The second floor will have additional workshop spaces, offices for instructors, and an observation deck for Administrators.
- American Oncologic Hospital d/b/a Fox Chase Cancer Center; Fox Chase Cancer Center ICU Modernization (333 Cottman Ave.); $1,500,000; The project involves the construction of a 15 bed ICU in an addition that will be connected to the current ICU space. This addition will be built on slab and protrude into a beautiful open courtyard in the center of the Fox Chase campus. When construction of the new unit is complete we will break thru the outer ICU wall and connect the spaces. Move all functions into the new space and renovate the current ICU space for waiting, consult room and storage.
- Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation; Renovation of Frankford Library (4634 Frankford Ave.); $1,000,000; The programmatic functions of library-as-community and civic meeting space-as-community are separated by floors but connected by the café which, in turn, acts as a link to the street. From the outside in, the designs include sidewalk upgrades, new landscaping, signage, lighting and a new entry awning and curtainwall glazing, lobby improvements to activate and make more welcoming the space, new meeting and study rooms enclosed with glass partitions at the rear of the main level rear, lower level reconfiguration to provide an additional meeting room, consolidation of existing storage spaces to create a new staff workspace, kitchen renovation, insertion of a new passenger elevator, and main stair reconfiguration.
- Kinder Academy Development Organization; Trinity PAL Center (6901 Rising Sun Ave.); $1,000,000; The project will entail the construction of a new state-of-the-art, historically compatible facility to house the return of the Gibbons PAL program and other community outreach initiatives. Initial construction plans include a basketball court with high ceiling, homework room(s), restrooms, office space for program officers. We also envision additional space that could be used for supplemental community programming. With a commitment from Trinity Church Oxford and the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, construction could commence on the existing property as part of a long-term lease agreement/endowment covering all operating and maintenance expenses.
- Albert Einstein Healthcare Network; Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park/MossRehab (60 Township Line Road); $1,000,000; The project will include renovation and expansion of the current 4th floor Brain Injury Center to include a robotics gym. The pharmacy at this location will also undergo renovations to meet safety standards and regulatory guideline. Patient rooms will be renovated to reflect safety needs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Temple University – Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education; Ritter Hall – Institute on Disabilities and Sponsored Projects relocation (1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.); $2,000,000; Project will relocate the Institute on Disabilities and Sponsored Projects to a newly renovated central suite within the College of Education’s Ritter Hall Complex. Project will include complete renovation of 14,395 SF space. The architectural design promotes wellness, productivity and efficiency, forming a new academic experience while creating a collaborative working environment and includes new reception areas, conference rooms, offices (both private and open) and support spaces. In addition, all MEP systems and technology will be upgraded to meet the needs of the new space.
RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. These projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
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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 23, 2020 | News Releases
The Senator urged her General Assembly colleagues to authorize grants to small businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
Philadelphia, PA – Diciembre 23, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) applauded today’s announcement by Governor Tom Wolf of his intent to transfer $145 million from the state’s Workers’ Compensation Security Fund into the General Fund so that they may be reallocated for pandemic-related small business relief. Senator Tartaglione also urged her General Assembly colleagues to grant the legislative authorization required to appropriate the funds as grants to small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic.
“I have said throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that we must strive to protect the financial health of workers and their families in addition to their physical health,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The preservation of small businesses such as restaurants and taverns, gyms, and independent entertainment venues, which employed some 2.5 million Pennsylvanians prior to the pandemic, is vital to protecting these jobs.”
In addition to the legislative authorization requirement, the transfer carries a requirement that the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund be reimbursed the full $145 million on a later date. Since the start of the pandemic (Marzo 11th), the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has received 12,926 new workers’ compensation claims. In 2019, the Department reported 10,071 total claim petitions.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus prioritized a new round of pandemic relief funding for small businesses in their initial PA CARES proposal issued in Octubre, which included $575 million in assistance for bars, taverns, and restaurants; barbers, salons, and the personal care industry; tourism; Main Street and historically disadvantaged businesses; and nonprofit organizations. The Republican-led General Assembly took no action on this proposal and instead used $1.3 billion in remaining federal CARES Act funding to balance the state budget.
Earlier this month, Senate Democrats introduced a new $4 billion PA CARES 21 plan, which includes $800 million in relief for small businesses, with $300 million exclusively for restaurants, taverns, and others in the hospitality industry.
“These businesses are taking on massive debts just to keep their lights on and keep enough staff in place to prepare for the day when they can start rebuilding their businesses again,” Senator Tartaglione said. “They are doing everything they can to improve health protections for patrons and staff. We have an obligation to make them whole.”
For more information about the PA CARES 21 proposal, visit www.pasenate.com/pacares.
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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 | Octubre 23, 2020 | News Releases
Philadelphia, PA – Octubre 23, 2020 – The Drug & Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania (DASPOP) have named State Senator Christine Tartaglione as the recipient of its Appreciation Award during the organization’s annual Celebration of Recovery.
Senator Tartaglione also delivered a stirring keynote address during the event, which was held via video conferencing in compliance with COVID-19 mitigation guidelines. The Senator detailed publicly for the first time in her 25-year career her ongoing recovery from alcoholism.
“Discussing such personal matters in a public setting can be awkward or difficult, but it also brings me great comfort,” Senator Tartaglione said. “It’s like lifting a heavy weight off my shoulders. It’s a great relief knowing that I can be forthright about the challenges I face, and I don’t have to pretend like everything is fine even though I know there is a problem.”
The Senator said she has avoided drinking alcohol for the last 17 years. Robert Dellavella, the Chief Executive Officer of Self-Help Movement Inc. in Northeast Philadelphia, presented the award to the Senator during a small gathering of her close friends.
Congressmembers Brendan Boyle and Brian Fitzpatrick, State Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, and Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo were among the dignitaries to congratulate Senator Tartaglione during the online event. DASPOP Founder and President Deb Beck hosted the celebration.
Addressing the many assembled treatment advocates, Senator Tartaglione said, “Individuals and organizations like yours are doing God’s work and are saving human lives. You are healing people physically and spiritually.”
Of her personal story, the Senator added, “I sincerely hope that my message about vulnerability, honesty, and recovery resonates with the many, many people who, like me, struggle with alcohol or drugs. I hope my story will show others that there is a path forward in sobriety and that a fulfilling life awaits them on the other side.”
Senator Tartaglione has advocated strongly in the General Assembly for expanding treatment options, access, and insurance coverage for people who suffer with drug- and alcohol-related illnesses.
Also during the Celebration of Recovery, DASPOP presented Doug Tieman, CEO of Caron Treatment Centers, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Tieman has announced his retirement after a long and distinguished career in the drug and alcohol treatment field.
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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 | Octubre 7, 2020 | News Releases
Governor Wolf’s new OT rules took effect on Octubre 3, requiring employers to pay time-and-a-half to all workers who earn less than $45,500 a year and log more than 40 hours in a week.
Philadelphia, PA – Octubre 7, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione applauded new overtime rules published in The Pennsylvania Bulletin on Octubre 3 that require all Pennsylvania employers to pay time-and-a-half wages to employees who earn less than $45,500 a year and who log more than 40 hours in a workweek. The new base earnings threshold provides an additional 200,000 Pennsylvania workers with coverage under the state’s overtime pay requirements, regardless of their job titles.
“For far too long, Pennsylvania has allowed many of its worker protections to erode as inflation steadily diminishes the value of the dollar and as the income gap between the wealthy and working-class folks grows larger and larger,” Senator Tartaglione said. “For example, it has been more than 14 years since the General Assembly last raised Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. And prior to these new overtime regulations, it had been 40 years since the Commonwealth raised the income threshold for workers to qualify for mandatory overtime pay.”
Until this year, workers who were earning more than $23,660 in annual base pay could be excluded from mandatory overtime pay protection. That is, if an employer classified the worker as an executive, administrative, or professional salaried employee, the employer did not have to pay overtime wages when the employee logged more than the standard 40 hours in any given workweek.
As of Enero 1, 2020, the federal government enacted a higher earnings threshold of $35,568 ($684 per week). By default, Pennsylvania’s threshold also increased to that level.
Late last year, Governor Tom Wolf, through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, proposed an additional increase in the threshold to $45,500 annually ($875 per week). Following a regulatory review process that included a public comment period, the Commonwealth’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission approved the final rulemaking earlier this year. The new regulations took effect on Octubre 3.
“We know from extensive academic research and from the examples we see in many other states that investments in our workforce through policies like mandatory overtime pay and higher minimum wages benefit our communities and our economy,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Our workers are consumers too. When we put more money in their pockets and improve their quality of life, everyone stands to benefit.”
According to the Keystone Research Center, more than four decades ago, more than 60% of salaried workers in the United States received time-and-a-half pay automatically when they worked more than 40 hours in a week, because exemption from overtime pay protection was only intended to apply to high-level managers and professionals who were already being well-compensated without overtime pay.
Since 1980, the cumulative rate of inflation in the U.S. is 215.4%. Therefore, $23,660 in 1980 dollars equates to $74,632 in 2020 dollars.
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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 | Octubre 7, 2020 | News Releases
To date 258 local business have received or will soon receive $4.5 million in grants through the Statewide Small Business Assistance program.
Philadelphia, PA – Octubre 7, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione today announced that 258 small businesses in and around the 2nd Senate District have received or will soon receive a combined $4.5 million in COVID-19 relief funding through Statewide Small Business Assistance (SBA), a $225 million program created by the General Assembly in Mayo through its comprehensive PA CARES legislation.
These local businesses spanning portions of North and Northeast Philadelphia are among about 900 citywide and more than 4,100 across the state that have received grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 or have completed a verification process that will enable them to obtain their approved funding imminently.
“Pennsylvania businesses and their employees have worked very hard and made many sacrifices that have enabled the Commonwealth to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Senator Tartaglione said. “As they continue their difficult reopening process, it is crucial that we provide them with resources to catch up financially and to operate safely moving forward.”
In all, more than 10,000 Pennsylvania businesses have received preliminary approval for a combined $192 million in grants through two rounds of SBA funding. Businesses in all 67 Pennsylvania counties have been approved. In Philadelphia, about 1,200 businesses have received preliminary approval. Additional verifications will be announced as they occur.
As adopted by the General Assembly and implemented by the administration of Governor Tom Wolf, the SBA program prioritized applicant businesses owned by low- or moderate-income individuals; those owned by women or minorities; those in communities with relatively high poverty rates, low median incomes, high unemployment rates, and high population loss; those in designated revitalization areas; those in rural areas; and those operating in business sectors most-impacted by the pandemic.
The program is being administered through 17 nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that have been certified by the Commonwealth and whose primary activity is providing financing options for small businesses.
As of Octubre 4, $76.8 million in SBA grants had been distributed or received final approval for distribution statewide, while $16 million had been distributed or received final approval for distribution in Philadelphia.
For more information about the program and a listing of the verified grant recipients, visit https://pabusinessgrants.com/
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by Christin Brown | Septiembre 15, 2020 | News Releases
Additional SBA grants will be distributed in the coming weeks as part of a $225 million COVID-19 relief program created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in Mayo.
Philadelphia, PA – Septiembre 15, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione today announced that 183 small businesses in and around the 2nd Senate District have received or will soon receive a combined $3,050,000 in COVID-19 relief funding from the Commonwealth as part of Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance, a $225 million program created in the comprehensive PA CARES legislation adopted by the General Assembly in Mayo.
These local businesses are among 647 in Philadelphia and more than 3,000 statewide that have completed all required financial verifications and accepted the terms of the grant program in writing. In all, approximately 5,000 Pennsylvania businesses, including more than 1,100 in Philadelphia, have received preliminary approval for individual grants of up to $50,000. Additional verifications will be announced as they occur in the coming weeks.
“We are at a critical juncture for Pennsylvania’s small businesses and have been so since the very beginning of the COVID-19 emergency in Marzo,” Senator Tartaglione said. “My General Assembly colleagues and I have been working very hard to provide resources to all those who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, including small businesses and their employees. These funds will help them cover operating expenses, reopening costs, technical assistance, risk reduction training, and debt relief.”
The list of successful grant applicants includes many business types impacted most by the coronavirus, such as restaurants and taverns, hair salons and barber shops, childcare centers, and special events facilities, as well as more-specialized business types such as bridal shops, bakeries, chiropractors, gift stores, and commercial art studios.
The grant program is being administered through 17 nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that have been certified by the Commonwealth and whose primary activity is providing financing options for small businesses. As of Septiembre 4, more than $55 million had been distributed or received final approval for distribution.
Two rounds of applications were conducted to provide interested businesses with multiple opportunities to apply for these limited funds. The final application window concluded on Agosto 28. To be eligible, businesses must have been in operation prior to Febrero 15, 2020, and had 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees prior to that date; had annual revenue of no more than $1 million prior to the pandemic; and been generating at least 51% of their revenues in Pennsylvania. Priority was given to applicants with women ownership, those located in designated “Main Street” or “Elm Street” districts, those in rural communities, and those that are at least 51% owned and operated by persons who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. For more details about the program, visit www.pabusinessgrants.com.
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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 | Septiembre 9, 2020 | News Releases
Community colleges, state-related universities, and a technical school would be awarded a combined $130 million in CARES Act funding to cover COVID-related costs.
Philadelphia, PA – Septiembre 9, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by State Senator Christine Tartaglione and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa that would allocate $130 million in federal CARES Act funding to help higher education institutions in the Commonwealth manage financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Bill 1226 proposes to grant $35 million to Pennsylvania’s community colleges, $25 million each to Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Penn State University, $10 million to Lincoln University, and $10 million to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Previously, the Senate adopted legislation to allocate more than $72 million in federal CARES Act funding to PA State System of Higher Education universities and to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
The Appropriations Committee adopted SB1226 unanimously. The legislation will advance to the full Senate for consideration.
“Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions, community colleges, and technical schools have suffered great financial setbacks due to the pandemic,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Despite these challenges, our higher education community has responded to this crisis in numerous ways to assist students and the entire Commonwealth as we navigate this uncharted territory.”
“Shuttering campuses; transitioning to distance learning; refunding room, board, and activities fees; and the potential loss of enrollment have all caused financial hardship and uncertainty for these institutions. They have already received some federal funding, but more must be done to help sustain them through this difficult time.”
In keeping with federal requirements, all CARES Act funds will be used to cover costs incurred by the recipients due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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 | Agosto 3, 2020 | News Releases
Los legisladores han redactado conjuntamente una carta dirigida a los líderes de la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU. en la que solicitan el reembolso federal del 100% de los costes del seguro de desempleo en que incurran las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro.
Filadelfia, PA - 3 de agosto de 2020 - La senadora estatal de Pensilvania Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia), presidenta demócrata del Comité de Trabajo e Industria del Senado de PA, y el congresista Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), miembro del Comité de Medios y Arbitrios de la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU., enviaron una carta a los líderes de la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU. instando a la inclusión de un lenguaje que apoye al sector sin fines de lucro en el próximo paquete de ayuda contra el coronavirus.
La carta redactada por el congresista Boyle y el senador Tartaglione solicita que el próximo paquete de medidas de respuesta al COVID-19 incluya un texto que prevea el reembolso por parte del gobierno federal del 100% de los costes de las prestaciones de desempleo en que incurran.
"Desde el punto de vista de los servicios sociales y el empleo, la viabilidad de las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro es esencial para la Mancomunidad de Pensilvania y para la nación", declaró el senador Tartaglione. "Estas organizaciones benéficas permiten a millones de estadounidenses salvar la brecha entre la pobreza y la dignidad, y refuerzan la economía en general con puestos de trabajo críticamente necesarios en un momento de desempleo histórico."
"Desde los bancos de alimentos a las clínicas de salud, las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro de Filadelfia y de todo el país han fortalecido nuestras comunidades prestando servicios críticos durante esta pandemia", dijo el congresista Boyle. "Debemos apoyar a nuestros socios locales y facilitarles, no dificultarles, la supervivencia en estos tiempos difíciles. Al proporcionar un reembolso del 100%, estaremos invirtiendo en nuestras comunidades locales y garantizando que los servicios tan necesarios no se supriman cuando empecemos a ver picos bruscos en el número de nuevos casos."
Sólo en Pensilvania, el sector sin ánimo de lucro emplea al 16% de la mano de obra total, lo que equivale a más de 807.000 personas. Aunque la mayoría de las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro esperan mantener a sus empleados y sus servicios, muchas de ellas están llegando a un punto de ruptura, ya que la crisis sigue agotando sus limitados recursos. La propuesta de conceder a las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro el reembolso del 100% de los costes de las prestaciones por desempleo ha recibido apoyo bipartidista. Puede consultarse una copia de la carta aquí.
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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 | Julio 8, 2020 | News Releases
Unity Recovery was among 14 agencies statewide to receive a combined $2 million in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants.
Philadelphia, PA – Julio 8, 2020 – State Senator Christine Tartaglione announces that Unity Recovery of Philadelphia has been awarded almost $200,000 by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) in the form of a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant.
The funding will allow Unity to create the Philadelphia Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, a program that will advocate for the hiring and continued employment of people in opioid use disorder recovery while helping to foster a more-inclusive culture in Southeastern Pennsylvania workplaces. SAMHSA grants totaling $2 million were awarded to 14 organizations throughout Pennsylvania. The grant funds originated with $75 million in federal funding allocated to the Commonwealth last Septiembre to support statewide efforts to address the opioid crisis.
“I am very encouraged that the Wolf administration is providing agencies like Unity Recovery with the resources they need to make a real, local, and personal impact in the communities they serve,” Senator Tartaglione said. “The administration has been steadfast in its commitment to lessening the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania. These grants will continue and expand that vital work.”
“We have not lost focus on the continuing opioid crisis in Pennsylvania,” Governor Wolf said. “And now more than ever, employment services are vital to help people struggling during the pandemic with the loss of a job or need to find employment. These grants will help those with substance use disorder have a better chance at recovery by helping to access employment.”
Statewide, awardees will provide a wide variety of employment services including vocational assessments, resume writing, interviewing skills, job placement, and transportation assistance. Each agency has identified one local employer that has committed to hiring individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder.
Unity’s grant, valued at $198,772, will help it implement its Recovery Friendly Workplace model in Philadelphia. Unity has previously implemented this model successfully in New Hampshire, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
“I am committed to informing and referring constituents of the 2nd Senate District to the type of peer-based recovery and employment support services provided by Unity,” Senator Tartaglione said. “Not only do these types of support services help people maintain their recovery, they elevate their likelihood of gaining and maintaining employment and help them to develop positive connections within the larger community.”
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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 | Junio 5, 2020 | News Releases
Letter signed by 17 Senators Calls for Immediate Hearings
Harrisburg, Junio 5, 2020 − Senator John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia) implored Governor Wolf to suspend the termination of 700 Pennsylvania employees until public hearings can be held on the clandestine decision by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC).
“It is absurd that we would send 700 more Pennsylvanians to the unemployment line during this crisis,” Sabatina said, who serves as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “We agreed these loyal state employees would be retained until the end of 2021, when the Turnpike would go cashless.”
Sabatina wasn’t alone in his dismay. Senator Tartaglione, Democratic Chair of the Labor Committee, also questioned the decision.
“This sudden decision to terminate 700 hardworking Turnpike employees violates the agreement we had in place and comes at a time when the Commonwealth should be doing everything it can to curtail the loss of jobs,” said Senator Tartaglione, the Democratic Chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee. “We must insist that all stakeholders have their say in a public forum as part of any decision-making process of this magnitude.”
In all, 17 Senators are calling for the hearings before the Junio 18th termination date. The letter was sent to Governor Wolf on Viernes.
You can read Senator Sabatina’s letter here:
The Honorable Governor Tom Wolf
Office of the Governor
508 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Junio 5, 2020
Re: Suspend Elimination of Toll Collector Positions
Dear Governor Wolf:
We are deeply disturbed at the stealthy manner in which the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission voted to eliminate over 700 toll collector jobs this week.
Prior to Martes Junio 2nd, all parties understood that under the original agreement, the PTC promised to employ these Pennsylvanians until the exits went completely cashless at the end of 2021. During this timeframe, the remaining toll collectors would be able to apply for existing positions within the Commission, help get placed in appropriate Commonwealth vacancies, or receive a tuition credit to help receive new job training. To our knowledge, none of the above terms of the agreement have been met.
Also prior to Junio 2nd, we believed that we had an open and transparent relationship with the PTC. On Mayo 12, 2020, during a Senate Transportation Committee Hearing regarding Turnpike finances, the opportunity presented itself for the PTC to discuss potential layoffs. Despite questions raised by Senate members on the future of the toll workers, no meaningful discussion on this topic was advanced by any member of the PTC.
We, therefore, believe that it is necessary to conduct an informational hearing to determine the fundamental reasons behind the PTC’s failure to abide by the original agreement regarding termination as well as its failure to notify, inform and discuss this matter with the Legislature. We understand the financial difficulties placed upon the Turnpike, however, it is blatantly unconscionable to mislead employees into thinking that their jobs were somewhat secure for the next year and a half, while knowing that these loyal employees really had less than a month to find another job in the midst of a pandemic.
These people have families that depend on them to provide necessities during this extremely difficult time and adding 700 Pennsylvanians to the unemployment rolls will not benefit the Commonwealth.
We respectfully request that this decision to layoff 700 toll collectors on Junio 18, 2021 be suspended until it can be established with certainty through an informational hearing that there is not some reasonable alternative that allows the PTC to keep its original promise to its faithful employees.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter and we await your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Senator John P. Sabatina, Jr. Chairman, Transportation Committee
Senator Jay Costa 43rd Senatorial District
Senator Anthony Williams 8th Senatorial District
Senator Tina Tartaglione 2nd Senatorial District
Senator John Blake 22nd Senatorial District
Senator Vincent Hughes 7th Senatorial District
Senator Judy Schwank 11th Senatorial District
Senator Lisa Boscola 18th Senatorial District
Senator James Brewster 45th Senatorial District
Senator Wayne Fontana 42nd Senatorial District
Senator Timothy Kearney 26th Senatorial District
Senator Andrew Dinniman 19th Senatorial District
Senator Lindsey Williams 38th Senatorial District
Senator Maria Collett 12th Senatorial District
Senator Pam Iovino 37th Senatorial District
Senator Katie Muth 44th Senatorial District
Senator Larry Farnese 1st Senatorial District
by Christin Brown | Junio 1, 2020 | News Releases, oped
On Lunes, the Philadelphia Inquirer published the following opinion article by Senator Tartaglione in which she called for the immediate adoption of her Senate Bill 464 to strengthen workplace health and safety protections for state, county, and municipal employees, providing them with the same protections that all federal and private-sector employees already receive.
Pa. Capitol COVID disclosure issue underscores much-needed workplace protections for all | Opinion
By Christine Tartaglione
Amid a pandemic, the sharing of timely information is key to stopping the spread of illness.
That is why I was shocked to learn only through news media reports more than a week after the fact that a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives had tested positive for COVID-19. And I was appalled that the partisan leadership of the House chose not to notify, in a timely fashion, the member’s colleagues from opposing parties, his counterparts in the Senate, or the state employees whose jobs require them to be in the halls and offices of the Capitol during a pandemic.
Prompt and comprehensive notification could have and should have been conducted, but it was not. In light of these events, I renew my call for the General Assembly to immediately advance my legislation, Senate Bill 464, which would, for the first time, provide all public employees on the state and local levels with the same workplace health and safety protections enjoyed by all the nation’s federal and private-sector employees.
In his public statement Miércoles, the House member reported that he last visited the Capitol on Mayo 14, was tested on Mayo 18 after developing typical COVID-19 symptoms, and was confirmed positive on Mayo 20.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tells us that the incubation period for COVID-19 is 14 days. Therefore, by the time this member and his caucus notified the rest of us of a potential exposure, the virus could have been spread through the chain of social contacts to literally hundreds of individuals.
In subsequent public statements, the member’s caucus has reportedly cited health-care privacy laws for the decision to withhold this critical and potentially lifesaving information from people who were and are directly affected by it. However, the restrictions codified in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) apply only to health insurers, health-care clearinghouses, and health-care providers. They do not apply to employers.
The member personally stated that he kept quiet about his diagnosis “out of respect for my family, and those who I may have exposed.” Yet, I am quite certain that the people who he may have exposed would have very much appreciated a heads up about it.
More than that, being informed promptly about workplace health hazards should be their right.
Among many other provisions, SB 464 would require state and local public employers, including school districts, to “provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety or health of the employees.” Employers would have to notify employees of the confirmed presence of health hazards like COVID-19 in the workplace.
Further, the legislation would create the Pennsylvania Occupational Safety and Health Review Board to oversee and enforce its workplace health and safety requirements, including worker notification of the hazards that threaten them. Private and federal employers already furnish their employees with these protections.
As the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania slows and businesses begin to reopen throughout the commonwealth, employers must keep workers informed about the risks that they face. If employers choose not to do that, then the law should mandate that they do so. Senate Bill 464 should receive consideration immediately — as should all employees.
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.
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.
