COVID-19 Pandemic Update from State Senator Doug Mastriano

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Cases.
There are 16,239 positive cases statewide and a total of 310 deaths; 82,299 tested negative.

Working For You - Legislation that I Sponsored This Week
Senate Bill 1103: PA Healthy Citizens & Healthy Businesses – referred to Senate Health Committee to get our state back to work.  This is a well-crafted bill that uses great care and Center for Disease Control rules to prevent the spread of the virus.

Senate Bill 1097: Electronic Notarization bill was voted unanimously out of the State Government Committee this week. Language was also inserted into SB841 to allow notaries to do their important work.

Other bills I am supporting during this crisis:
COVID-19 Crisis Grant Program for Volunteer Fire & EMS Companies (Senator Pittman).

Property Tax Payment & Penalty Relief for Local Taxpayers (Senator Martin)

Change for Business Interruption Insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic (Senator Hughes)

Education Issues to Address Concerns of COVID-19 (Senator Langerholc)

Prorated Refunds for Room & Board (Senator Martin)

Allowing Construction Activities to Resume Safe Operations (Senator Arnold)

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
Cash Payments: The federal government will begin making one-time cash payments to eligible individuals and families the week of April 13, 2020. The payments will be up to $1,200 per individual, up to $2,400 per married couple, and $500 per minor child. While it is not required for individuals to have filed a tax return over the past two years to receive a cash payment, having done so can expedite the process. More information, including eligibility requirements, is available from the IRS here and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee here.

Unemployment Compensation: Workers who have been laid off, furloughed, or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including self-employed workers, independent contractors, and gig workers, may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation through the PA Office of Unemployment Compensation. Congress has given the states increased funding and authority to provide expanded unemployment compensation to such workers. More information is available from the PA Office of Unemployment Compensation here and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee here. Unemployment compensation claims can be filed with the PA Office of Unemployment Compensation here, unless you are a self-employed worker, independent contractor, or gig worker. The PA Office of Unemployment Compensation does not yet have a system up and running for self-employed workers, independent contractors, and gig workers to file claims.

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES
Small Business Administration (SBA) Information and Assistance: The SBA has an Eastern PA District Office in King of Prussia and a Western PA District Office in Pittsburgh. The Eastern PA District Office's website is available here and it can be contacted by phone at (610) 382-3062 and by email at phila_do@sba.gov. The Western PA District Office's website is available here and it and it can be contacted by phone at (412) 395-6560 and by email at wpainfo@sba.gov. The Eastern PA District Office is hosting daily webinars at 12pm each day Monday through Friday, which you can participate in here. In addition, the PA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting webinars, which you can participate in here.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans: Congress has provided the SBA with $349 billion to allow private lenders to make PPP loans to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses (including independent contractors and self-employed individuals), nonprofit organizations, and certain veterans organizations that have 500 employees or less or that meet the SBA's employee-based size standards are eligible for PPP loans. In addition, small businesses in the restaurant and hotel industries, with more than one location, are eligible if their individual locations each employ 500 employees or less. PPP loans can be forgiven if businesses retain or rehire workers and use the loans for payroll costs, rent, mortgage interest, and/or utilities. You can find lenders making PPP loans here or by contacting lenders in your area. More information is available from the SBA here, the U.S. Treasury Department here, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce here.

You can find PPP lenders by using the SBA's PPP lender directory here or by contacting lenders in your area.

The SBA's PPP webpage with information and forms is here.

The U.S. Treasury Department's PPP webpage with forms is here.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's guide to PPP loans is here.

Lenders who need assistance accessing SBA's E-Tran system to process loan guarantee requests can call SBA's Lender Customer Service Line at (833) 572-0502.

The SBA's Frequently Asked Questions regarding PPP loans and EIDL Loans for faith-based nonprofit organizations is here.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Separate from the SBA's PPP loans, certain small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for EIDL loans and loan advances from the SBA. Small businesses (including independent contractors and self-employed individuals), certain nonprofit organizations, and certain veterans organizations that have 500 employees or less or that meet the SBA's employee-based size standards are eligible for EIDL loans and loan advances. EIDL loan advances provide up to $10,000 and do not have to be repaid. You can apply for an EIDL loan and loan advance here. More information is available from the SBA here.

You can check the status of you EIDL application by contacting the SBA Disaster Assistance Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

SBA Express Bridge Loans: The SBA's Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses that currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. More information is available from the SBA here.

SBA Debt Relief for Existing SBA Loans: The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of existing SBA 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans for a period of six months. More information is available from the SBA here.

WellSpan (correction)
The address for one of the COVID-19 Evaluation and Treatment locations in Adams County has changed.  The WellSpan Adams Health Center, 40 V-Twin Drive, Gettysburg site will be moving today to WellSpan Digestive Health, 37 N. Fifth St., Gettysburg. The hours will remain the same.

UPMC
If community members are experiencing severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, they should visit an emergency department in their community for immediate care. Community members are encouraged to call ahead of time so UPMC Pinnacle may prepare for their arrival and prevent the spread of any illness. Patients should not delay if they have severe breathing problems.

ADAMS COUNTY TAX UPDATE
The Adams County Commissioners have ratified an ordinance to extend property tax and per capita deadlines. 

Through Adams County Ordinance NO. 1 of 2020, and due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic situation, the Adams County Commissioners are extending tax payment deadlines for 2020 Adams County Real Estate and Per Capita Taxes as follows: to pay at 2% DISCOUNT until JUNE 30, 2020; to pay at “PAR” JULY 1, 2020 through OCTOBER 31, 2020; from NOVEMBER 1 and thereafter, a 10% penalty will be added to the “PAR” amount.

Similar resolutions and ordinances are approved or pending in each municipality. 

At this time, all Adams County Tax Collector offices are closed until further notice.  Payments can be mailed, placed in drop boxes (where available) and paid by credit card (where available). If requesting a receipt, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  Please consult your tax collector or municipal office for actual tax collector office hours after the state stay-at-home orders are lifted.  Taxpayers will continue to be encouraged to use mail, drop boxes or online payments to reduce face-to-face contact at that time.

Volunteers & Help in District 33
Again, I am asking if any volunteers in the 33rd District can deliver groceries, prescriptions, and supplies. Please let me know via my email address or phone number listed below.

Likewise, we are keeping a list of contacts for people who need help in District 33. If you need help to pick up and deliver groceries, prescriptions, etc., please call 717-787-4651.

Points of Light
Charlotte & Al Shaffer from Conewago Township-Adams County (of Cornwell Tools) donated N95 masks to the Hanover Area Fire & Rescue EMS Division. Thank you both for your generous donation to keep our first responders safe. (Charlotte is chairwoman for her Township Board of Supervisors).

Joy Murren from McSherrystown Borough-Adams County has been working hard making mask covers for her local police department. Joy is also making fabric masks for the community. Thank you for your time and donations to keep our first responders and community safe. (Joy is on the McSherrystown Borough Council and Chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee).

MotivWerks in Chambersburg is offering free oil changes for nurses & other healthcare personnel. Their phone numberis 717-267-3030.