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 29, 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:

• Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court and then adjourned until November 9.

• According to Real Clear Politics, nine Senate seats are rated tossups, with the Democrats needing to net four seats to overcome the current 53-47 Republican majority.

• The Delaware and New Jersey senate seats currently up for reelection are rated safe seats for the incumbent Democrats.

• The Democrats, who currently hold 232-198 advantage, are expected to safely stay in control of the House of Representatives.

• Three House races in our region  (PA-1, NJ-2, and NJ-3) are currently rated as tossups.

• A win in Pennsylvania could prove decisive for the presidential candidates.  According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump has a 70% chance of winning the presidency if he carries Pennsylvania and Biden has a 98% chance.

• To reduce expenses, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is developing plans to consolidate six state universities into two institutions.

• Under the proposal, in the northeast, Mansfield, Lock Haven, and Bloomsburg universities would be managed by one administration. Clarion, California, and Edinboro universities in the western part of the state would also be under one central administration.

• The Chamber will host PA Senator and potential Majority Leader Ryan Aument for a virtual event on November 4. Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.

• Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia have exceeded 43,200 with over 1,860 deaths.

• The Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund released an activity report detailing the $1.7 million in support provided to 2,162 workers and their families since the program was launched in July to supply emergency direct cash assistance to those who were left out of all federal and state relief.

• At this morning’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Parker introduced a bill calling for the creation of an independent economic opportunity oversight board. She also has a series of bills seeking to add disclosure requirements related to demographics of employees, board members, diversity of contractors, and sub-contractors for companies seeking to do business with the City.

• Bills were also introduced today to expand the eligible items that newsstands can sell, expand the prohibition of 3-D printed firearms, and to prohibit the Philadelphia Police Department from stopping vehicles for certain code violations.

• Council voted to approve a bill regulating the use of lethal devices in specific situations, including the use of tear gas with a vote of 14-3.

• Bills were also reported on from committee that would authorize the City to establish a non-profit corporation, Philadelphia Poverty Action Fund, and authorize a transfer to the General Fund.

• The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and The Homeless will hold a hearing on November 6 to hear testimony regarding bills to extend the eviction moratorium, extend the waiver of fees associated with the late payment of rent, and extend rental payment plans during the COVID-19 emergency.

• The Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on November 6 to discuss a bill to prohibit minors from entering establishments that are exempted from the indoor smoking prohibition and a resolution to address the issues associated with the closing of emergency rooms and hospitals and the impact of closures on communities of color and low-income patients.

• The Chamber will host a virtual event with Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. on November 17. Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.

SCOTUS Confirmation and Election Updates

This week, the United States Senate narrowly confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in a 52-48 vote. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned of significant consequences for Republicans the next time the Democrats have a majority in the Senate. Shortly after the vote, the Senate adjourned until November 9 allowing Senators in tight reelections to rush home to campaign.

House and Senate Elections

According to Real Clear Politics, nine Senate seats are rated tossups: Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina.  Democrats are predicted to lose Alabama’s Senate seat to Republicans, but pick up Colorado from the GOP at the same time.  In our region, Senators Chris Coons (DE) and Cory Booker (NJ) – they occupy the only two Senate seats up for election – are rated safe seats for the Democrats.

Currently, Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate (2 independents caucus with the 45 Democrats). Democrats will need to net four seats to guarantee themselves control of the Senate. If Democrats net three and split the legislative chamber evenly 50-50, the party that holds the White House controls the Senate because it is the Vice President that casts the tie-breaking vote. In such a scenario, any one Senator has tremendous power to determine the outcome of critical votes on nominations and legislation.

The House of Representatives is expected to safely stay in control of House Democrats, which currently hold 232-198 advantage (not including 5 vacancies). In our region, three races are rated as tossups:

• Brian Fitzpatrick (R) faces a challenge from Christina Finello (D) for PA-1, where Hillary Clinton received 2-point margin in 2016.
• Jeff Van Drew (R) seeks a second term in Congress against Amy Kennedy (D) in NJ-2. Van Drew won by a margin of almost 8 points in 2018 when he ran as a Democrat. He recently switched parties.
• Andrew Kim (D) will try to win his reelection against David Richter (R) in NJ-3, where President Trump carried a margin of more than 6 points in 2016.

Presidential Election

Pennsylvania has been labeled by many as the single most important state to the 2020 Presidential election outcome. Pennsylvania is likely to provide either President Trump or former Vice President Biden with the decisive vote. According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump has a 70% chance of winning the presidency if he carries Pennsylvania; Biden has a 98% chance of winning if Pennsylvania goes blue. FiveThirtyEight’s polling average shows Biden’s current lead in Pennsylvania at 5.1 points. In 2016, Trump won in the Keystone State by 0.7 points after trailing in polling average by 3.7 points.

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

PASSHE Begins Planning for University Consolidation

Seeking ways to reduce expenses, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is developing plans to consolidate six state universities into two institutions.

According to system Chancellor Dan Greenstein, enrollment across the system has dropped by 30 percent. The 14 public schools in Pennsylvania’s state system have a combined enrollment of more than 98,000 students.

Under the proposal, in the northeast, Mansfield, Lock Haven, and Bloomsburg universities would be managed by one administration. Clarion, California, and Edinboro universities in the western part of the state would also be under one central administration.

Upcoming State Advocacy Virtual Program

• November 4 – State Advocacy Update with Senator Ryan Aument »

In the running to be the next Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Aument will share is legislative priorities for the upcoming session and his vision for the future of Pennsylvania. Aument represents northern Lancaster County residents in Pennsylvania’s 36th Senatorial District. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as part of the Senate Republican leadership team as Caucus Secretary, where he is responsible for leading the Senate’s review process of nominations for a variety of different Cabinet positions, as well as numerous boards and commissions. Throughout his legislative career, Ryan has been a strong advocate for government transparency, innovation, and reform.

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 43,286. The number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia has reached 1,867. Of the total deaths, 912 (49%) were long-term care facility residents.

Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund Final Report

The Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund was launched in July to provide emergency direct cash assistance to workers and families impacted by COVID-19 who were left out of all federal and state relief. The City worked with trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) to identify individuals and families in need within the communities they serve. 

Over $1.7 million was distributed to 2,162 workers and their families using $800 prepaid cards. Nearly all Worker Relief Fund recipients were people of color—around ninety-five percent. Fifty-eight percent of awardees were women, and more than two-thirds had three or more people in their household. Seventy-five percent of recipients reported a household income of less than $20,000 a year. Read the final report to learn more about the design and results of the Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund.

Initial funding of $750,000 was provided by Open Society Foundations with additional donations from the Albert and Mary Douty Foundation, William Penn Foundation, the Hilles Fund, the Otto Haas Charitable Trust at the recommendation of Janet and John Haas, and Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. The Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia has also contributed to the Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund and served as its fiscal sponsor.

City Council Session Recap

Introduction of Bills and Resolutions

• Councilmember Cherelle Parker introduced a bill calling for the creation of an independent economic opportunity oversight board. Councilmember Parker also has a series of bills seeking to add disclosure requirements related to demographics of employees, board members, diversity of contractors, and sub-contractors for companies seeking to do business with the City.
• Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced a bill expanding the eligible items that newsstands can sell.
• Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson introduced a bill expanding the prohibition of 3-D printed firearms.
• Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced a bill prohibiting the Philadelphia Police Department from stopping vehicles for certain code violations.

Bills on Final Passage

• Council voted to approve a bill regulating the use of lethal devices in specific situations, including the use of tear gas with a vote of 14-3.

Bill Reported from Committee

• Bill 200369 – Authorizing the City to establish a non-profit corporation, Philadelphia Poverty Action Fund.
• Bill 200419 – Authorizing a transfer to the General Fund.

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, November 6, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Bill 200414 – Extends the temporary moratorium on evictions.

Bill 200420 – Extends the temporary waiver of late fees/penalties associated with late payment of rent.

Bill 200421 – Extends the temporary agreement authorizing rental payment plans for tenants during the COVID-19 emergency.

• Committee on Public Health

Friday, November 6, 2020 at 10:00 am

Bill 200115 – Prohibits establishments that are exempted from the indoor smoking prohibition from permitting minors to enter, and to require health informational signs; further prohibiting establishments that are exempted from the indoor ecigarette use to prohibit from permitting minors to enter.

Resolution 200153 – Resolution calling for the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings to help the city adequately prepare for, avoid, and, if needed, mitigate the effect of emergency room and hospital closures as research has shown disparate impacts on patients that are low income and/or from communities of color in addition to the loss of jobs.

City Council hearings are held in a remote manner using Microsoft Teams. This remote hearing may be viewed on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or phlcouncil.com/watch.

Upcoming City Hall Connectors Virtual Programs

• November 17 – City Hall Connectors: Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. »

Councilmember Jones, 4th District & Majority Whip, 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: