Legislative Updates: A Weekly Roundup of Federal, State, and Local Actions

Your Chamber advocacy team is working to share legislative updates and continue to advocate for your business in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, and Philadelphia. We’ve created a round-up of recent activity including Key Takeaways for Your Business and a Detailed Legislative Update. This represents our best knowledge of the situation as of 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2020.

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team to hear the latest on COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts at the federal, state, and local level as well as other legislative matters concerning our community.

To learn more about how our region is preparing for recovery, visit our Recharge & Recover PHL Information Hub:

• Last week, Speaker Pelosi called a vote on the House Democrats’ parred down $2.2 trillion HEROES Act proposal. The move indicated a breakdown in bipartisan talks and, despite the bill’s passage in the House, it represented nothing more than a messaging bill since the Senate has said that it will not consider the proposal.

• Earlier this week, President Trump called for a halt to negotiations on a relief package until after the election. He then later publicly called for Congress to pass standalone bills to support specific stimulus initiatives.

• According to the latest Emerson College/NewsNation poll, former Vice President Joe Biden holds a 5-point lead over President Trump among Pennsylvania voters, a drop from the 9 point lead reported in August.

• Gov. Wolf proposed new government entities “to slow the growth in health care spending and improve affordability” by finding efficiencies across departments, reducing disparities, and setting targets for the rate of growth in health spending.

• The Wolf Administration updated its guidance for indoor and outdoor gathering limits, establishing a sliding scale that’s based on venue occupancy limits rather than the cap that has been in place over the last several months.

• Gov. Wolf extended the application deadline for the state’s COVID-19 relief mortgage and rental assistance grant program to Nov. 4.

• Gov. Wolf announced $96 million in state grants for 5,373 Pennsylvania small businesses that were impacted by the business closure order due to the COVID-19 health pandemic.

• The Pennsylvania Senate is considering legislation Senate Bill 1230 that could create a statewide school voucher program for various individual education expenses.

• The nation’s highest court will not hear a challenge to Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that closed all non-life-sustaining businesses during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Chamber will host a virtual event with Pennsylvania State Senate Minority Leader Senator Jay Costa on October 22. Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.

• Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia have exceeded 37,900 with over 1,800 deaths.

• The City of Philadelphia will not move to the increased gathering limits announced by the Commonwealth earlier this week and will take additional time to evaluate what can be done safely in the city.

• The City has extended the deadline for phase two of the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program to November 4.

• City officials announced major legal action against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over the preemption of gun safety laws. 

• At this morning’s session of City Council, several bills and resolutions were introduced that address the Fraternal Order of Police’s contract negotiations, solicitation tactics used by property wholesalers, revisions to the list of City depositories, and a call for hearings regarding the School District of Philadelphia’s level of preparedness for a health crisis.

• The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless will hold a hearing on October 9 to hear testimony on several bills written to legislate the landlord-tenant relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The Committee on the Environment will hold a hearing on October 15 to hear testimony regarding street litter and waste disposal systems in the wake of COVID-19 in the City of Philadelphia.

• The Committee on Law and Government will hold a hearing on October 19 to hear testimony regarding bills to legislate the landlord-tenant relationship and amendments to discrimination and credit screening codes.

• The Chamber will host a virtual event with Councilmember Cherelle Parker on October 20. Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.

Next Phase Federal Stimulus Still Uncertain

After several days of offers and counteroffers between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to reach an agreement on an emergency relief package, Speaker Pelosi late last week called a vote on the House Democrats parred down $2.2 trillion HEROES Act proposal. The move indicated a breakdown in talks as House leadership opted instead to provide added cover for rank-and-file members in tight reelections campaigning at home. Despite the bill’s passage, it represented nothing more than a messaging bill since the Senate has said that it will not consider the proposal.

After the vote, Democrats and Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill publicly expressed frustration with the failure to reach an agreement. Roughly 20 Democrats voted against the bill, many urging Pelosi to seek a compromise with the Republicans, even if it falls short of the party’s full demands. Despite bringing a proposal to the floor for a vote, Speaker Pelosi insisted that negotiations with the Administration would continue in an effort to resolve several areas of significant disagreement including unemployment insurance, state and local government aid, and education funding.

However, this week, President Trump spoke to Congressional Republican leaders and Secretary Mnuchin asking them to halt negotiations on a relief package until after the election. This directive follows several weeks during which the President has publicly urged Republican leaders to compromise with Democrats to reach a deal on an additional round of relief legislation. Shortly after walking away from the negotiation table, the President then publicly called for Congress to pass standalone bills including a second round of direct assistance to individuals, $135 billion funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, and $25 billion for the Payroll Support Program which would stop and reverse layoffs in the airlines industry. These standalone pieces of legislation have wide bipartisan support in both House and Senate but there has been no indication from congressional leaders that they will advance between now and the election.

Biden Holds Edge in Pennsylvania, Trump Closing Gap

According to the latest Emerson College/NewsNation poll, former Vice President Joe Biden holds a 5-point lead over President Trump among Pennsylvania voters, 50% to 45%. Biden’s lead has tightened since the last Emerson poll in Pennsylvania this August, as he led Trump by 9 points at that point in the race.  Delaware and New Jersey are rated safe wins for former Vice President Biden.

Questions? Contact Anselm Sauter (asauter@chamberphl.com) for more information about federal legislative affairs.

Gov. Wolf Proposes New Healthcare Commission

Last Friday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf proposed new government entities “to slow the growth in health care spending and improve affordability.”

According to the Governor’s office, 36 percent of Pennsylvania residents reported finding it difficult to pay their medical bills – about 10 percent higher than the national average.

The Governor’s proposal has three main components:

• The Interagency Health Reform Council will be established through an executive order, which the Governor signed last Friday. The council will be made up of the heads of the DHS, the Department of Health, Department of Insurance and others. The group will focus first on finding the efficiencies already working within the system and look at how some programs might be aligned.

• The formation of five Regional Accountable Health Councils across the state. The councils will look at regional approaches to reduce disparities and address what health care professionals call “social determinants of health” — the conditions beyond medical care that affect health, such as income, pollution, and food security.

• The establishment of a Health Value Commission that would set a statewide target for the rate of growth in health spending, and require health care organizations that exceed the target to come up with a plan to bring costs under control. The commission would have the power to monitor compliance and levy fines.

Legislative leaders say they are digesting the proposals and have expressed concern about added bureaucracy to the health care system.

Gathering Limits Guidance Clarified

On Tuesday, the Wolf Administration updated its guidance for indoor and outdoor gathering limits, establishing a sliding scale that’s based on venue occupancy limits rather than the cap that has been in place over the last several months.

The overhaul of the statewide gathering limits comes just weeks after a federal judge ruled them to be unconstitutional. A federal appeals court later restored the limits, which capped indoor gatherings at 25 people and outdoor gatherings at 250 people.

Wolf Administration Extends Rent, Mortgage Assistance

On Monday, Gov. Tom Wolf extended the application deadline for the state’s COVID-19 relief mortgage and rental assistance grant program to Nov. 4.

The program gives renters who qualify up to $750 a month for a maximum of six months paid directly to their landlords and gives homeowners up to $1,000 a month for six months paid to mortgage lenders.

The Pennsylvania Senate was supposed to consider a housing assistance program bill this week but did not have a session on Wednesday because the House never took up the legislation due to Rep. Paul Schemel (Franklin) contracting COVID-19.

Wolf Administration Announces $96 Million in State Grants for PA Small Businesses

This week, Governor Wolf announced $96 million in state grants for 5,373 Pennsylvania small businesses that were impacted by the business closure order due to the COVID-19 health pandemic. Businesses in every county were approved in this round of funding, and 52% are historically disadvantaged businesses.

Statewide School Voucher Bill Discussed

The Pennsylvania Senate is considering legislation Senate Bill 1230 that could create a statewide school voucher program. The measure would provide families $1,000 per school-age child to be used for, among other things, “tutoring, counseling, computer hardware or software, curriculum, supplies, services for students with special needs, and private school tuition.” The bill, which is opposed by the state’s largest teachers’ union, would cost $500 million, provided through the CARES Act.

Supreme Court Does Not Weigh In

The nation’s highest court will not hear a challenge to Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that closed all non-life-sustaining businesses during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The case was brought on by business owners and a state House candidate who considered the shutdown unconstitutional.

Upcoming State Advocacy Virtual Program

• October 22 – State Advocacy Update with Senator Jay Costa »

Senator Costa is the Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate and his legislative record of accomplishment is long and features signature laws in the areas of education, family law, judicial reform, public safety, job creation, and health care.

COVID-19 Case Data

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia has reached 37,983. The number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia has reached 1,817. Of the total deaths, 896 (49%) were long-term care facility residents.

City Evaluating Changes to Statewide Gathering Limits

As discussed earlier in the update, Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced that statewide gathering limits—for both indoor and outdoor events—would increase this Friday, October 9. The City of Philadelphia will not move to these increased limits on Friday. As with other changes to restrictions at the state level, Philadelphia will require additional time to evaluate what can be done safely in the city. The number, size, and diverse uses of event venues in Philadelphia present unique challenges when considering increases in gathering limits. The Department of Public Health will review the latest changes from the state and provide an update on Philadelphia’s plans during next week’s COVID-19 brief on Tuesday, October 13. 

PHL Rent Assist Deadline Extended

The City announced today the deadline for phase two of the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program has been extended to November 4, 2020. Residents who applied for phase one can still apply for phase two. To apply, visit phlrentassist.org.

City Announces Legal Action Against PA over Preemption of Gun Safety Laws 

Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council have announced they will take legal action against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs in this case include residents across the commonwealth, who will argue that the Pennsylvania General Assembly “handcuffs local governments so that they cannot enact or enforce even simple, well-researched policies that have repeatedly been shown to be effective in saving lives, while it also refuses to enact sensible gun safety laws.”

The legal action follows local legislation approved earlier this year authorizing City Council to “retain counsel to file a lawsuit compelling the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to carry out its obligation to protect the citizens of Pennsylvania by enacting, or authorizing municipalities to enact, commonsense, constitutional legislation that addresses the public health crisis of gun violence.”

In addition to Philadelphia residents harmed by gun violence, plaintiffs in the legal action will include organizations and residents burdened by public health and public safety costs associated with gun violence.

This case is being filed by attorneys from the City of Philadelphia Law Department, the Public Interest Law Center, and Hogan Lovells US LLP.

City Council Introduction of Bills and Resolutions

• Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced a resolution authorizing Council’s Committee of the Whole to hold hearings regarding the Fraternal Order of Police’s contract negotiations pursuant to Bill 200064-A.

• Councilmember Allan Domb introduced a bill regulating the solicitation tactics used by property wholesalers to protect homeowners from certain solicitation practices when selling a home.

• Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced a bill revising the list of City depositories. Councilmember Bass also introduced a resolution authorizing the Committees on Education and Public Health to hold hearing’s regarding the School District of Philadelphia’s level of preparedness for a health crisis.

View the status of pending bills and resolutions »

View upcoming confirmed City Council meeting dates and agendas »

City Council Hearings

• Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless

Friday, October 9, 2020 at 1:00 pm, in a remote manner using Microsoft Teams. This remote hearing may be viewed on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or phlcouncil.com/watch, to hear testimony on the following items:

Bill 200414 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 9800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to address matters related to the landlord and tenant relationship during the novel coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, including providing for temporary eviction relief

Bill 200420 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 9800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to address matters related to the landlord and tenant relationship during the novel coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, including providing for the temporary waiver of certain fees

Bill 200421 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 9800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to address matters related to the landlord and tenant relationship during the novel coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, including providing for repayment agreements

• Committee on the Environment

Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2:30 pm, in a remote manner using Microsoft Teams. This remote hearing may be viewed on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or phlcouncil.com/watch, to hear testimony on the following items.

Resolution 200431 – Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to conduct hearings to investigate challenges and solutions to street litter and waste disposal systems in the wake of COVID19 in the City of Philadelphia.

• Committee on Law and Government

Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:00 pm, in a remote manner using Microsoft Teams. This remote hearing may be viewed on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or phlcouncil.com/watch, to hear testimony on the following items:

Bill 200159 – Ordinance amending Chapter 9800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Landlord and Tenant,” to clarify and amend applicable procedures pertaining to the Fair Housing Commission, and to provide for the adoption of regulations.

Bill 200252 – Ordinance amending Chapter 91100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination,” to clarify that unlawful discrimination includes discrimination based on characteristics, such as hair texture and hairstyles.

Bill 200413 – An Ordinance amending Section 91130 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Unlawful Credit Screening Practices in Employment.

Upcoming City Hall Connectors Virtual Programs

• October 20 – City Hall Connectors: Councilmember Cherelle Parker »

Councilmember Cherelle Parker, 9th District and Majority Leader, will discuss City Council’s role in managing ongoing efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and energize business recovery. Learn how Philadelphia’s business community can work with members of Council to help position the City towards meaningful recovery.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for our Advocacy programs to fit a variety of goals and budgets. Contact Tara Orio at  torio@chamberphl.com for more information.

The constantly changing nature of this public health crisis requires continued engagement with public policy developments. We invite you to reach out to our advocacy team directly with your questions: 

• Anselm Sauter, Federal Affairs – asauter@chamberphl.com 
• Liz Ferry, State Affairs – lferry@chamberphl.com 
• William Carter, Local Affairs – wcarter@chamberphl.com 

Chamber members are invited to join weekly legislative update calls hosted by our Advocacy team to hear the latest on COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts at the federal, state, and local level as well as other legislative matters concerning our community.

To learn more about how our region is preparing for recovery, visit our Recharge & Recover PHL Information Hub: