BREAKING NEWS: Pa. Legislature Completes Short Term Budget, Sends Other Priorities to Gov. Wolf
The Pennsylvania General Assembly sent a $25.8 billion stop gap budget to Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday, providing some breathing room for state officials as they wait to see the full financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The temporary budget, which passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday evening, is a five-month spending plan that flat funds most state agencies at a level loosely based on last year’s adopted budget. Funding for education and food security programs are fully funded for the entire year, helping education providers plan school budgets without the threat of funding cuts, and supporting programs to help Pennsylvanians struggling with jobloss and other economic hardships as Pennsylvania reaches its highest level of unemployment in nearly 40 years.

The short term budget also allows state officials to grapple with permanently lost revenues and a significant budget shortfall, which the state’s Independent Fiscal Office estimates could reach nearly $5 billion through June 2021.

Lawmakers also approved the use of $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money for a variety of purposes, including relief for counties and long-term care facilities, which have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding directs nearly $260 million of the federal CARES Act money to the Department of Human Services for services to the intellectual disability and autism community. This funding will help ensure front line providers who deliver support and services to those individuals are protected.

In addition to the budget, the legislature also passed a proposal that would provide more than $40 million for the COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services grant program to assist volunteer fire and ambulance companies during the pandemic.

The General Assembly also passed several measures that often accompany the budget bill, referred to as the "code bills." Changes to the state's Fiscal, Administrative, Liquor, and Public School codes were all approved by the General Assembly and sent to the governor for his signature. Over the next few days, Capitol Buzz will provide more details on the important changes made to the state's "code bills."

Legislators completed their work on the temporary budget just a few days before the state's June 2 primary election, which will be held on Tuesday. It is anticipated that the General Assembly will return to session sometime over the summer to begin to work toward a plan to fund the remainder of the 2020-2021 budget.
Daily COVID-19 update for Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 625 new positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide on Thursday, bringing the state total to 70,042. In addition, 5,373 Pennsylvanians have died from complications from the virus. To date, there have been nearly 358,000 negative cases across the state.

Daily COVID-19 update for Ohio

The Ohio Department of Health reported 33,915 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 2,098 deaths, including probable cases, by Thursday afternoon. There have been 5,811 hospitalizations and 1,516 ICU admissions.
Unprecedented times, but McNees is here to help
The situation surrounding COVID-19 is changing by the hour. Capitol Buzz will do its best to keep our readers as up-to-date as possible as to local, state and federal actions relating to the virus.

As we have stated in previous editions, for those businesses seeking guidance or assistance on how to proceed during this unprecedented time, please contact the McNees Labor and Employment Practice Group , or for government relations and nonprofit consulting assistance please contact the McNees Strategic Solutions Group (MSSG) .

You can also visit the McNees COVID-19 Article & Resource Page for more information on various legal and political issues created by the novel coronavirus.

For more information on what you can do to protect yourself and others, check out the CDC's coronavirus information page or visit www.health.pa.gov .
2020 SENATE SESSION SCHEDULE

The Senate stands in recess until the call of the President Pro Tempore.

June
8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
2020 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE

The House stands in recess until the call of the chair.

June
8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
September
15, 16, 17, 29, 30
October
1, 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21
November
10
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