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, December 10, 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:

• The viability of the Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 remains uncertain as time is running out for both sides to overcome disagreements on issues like state and local aid and liability protections for businesses operating safely.

• Democrats and Republicans are also not aligned on the amount to be provided in weekly supplemental unemployment benefits for displaced workers and direct stimulus payments to most Americans. 

• The Chamber supports the $908 billion COVID Emergency Relief Framework as an interim relief bill in the lame-duck session but we believe higher levels of federal assistance are necessary to support our economic recharge and recovery.

• A House-passed short-term, stopgap funding measure awaits Senate approval and, if signed into law, would make December 18 the new deadline for Congress to either approve a FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations package or punt the issue into the beginning of next year through passage of another short-term temporary funding patch.

• The House also passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a 335 to 78 vote this week despite a veto threat from the President. The vote margin exceeds the two-thirds majority needed to overturn a veto.

• The Chamber will host a virtual gathering with Congressman Brendan Boyle on December 18. Read the full update for more information and to register.

• PA Senate Democrats announced a $4 billion COVID-19 recovery plan that would provide funding for hospitals, higher education, business assistance, and restaurants and the hospitality industry. 

• The plan would be funded through borrowing, adding to the $618 million in borrowed funds for unemployment benefits, $600 million borrowed to prevent the shutdown of road and bridge projects, and the $3.43 billion in interest the state owes on its existing $10.75 billion in net bond debt this fiscal year totaling $1.31 billion. 

• The Chamber hosted Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Chair Pat Browne for a virtual gathering in which he announced that the Commonwealth is facing the next fiscal year with a $3.7 billion budget hole. 

• He noted that the focus of the state Senate Republican Caucus is to balance the budget without raising taxes or borrowing and he believes the state will receive additional federal stimulus dollars to help close the budget gap.

• Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia have exceeded 77,300 with over 2,100 deaths.

• The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) reported that over 30% of City contracts were with minority-, women-, and disabled-owned enterprises (M/W/DSBEs) during FY 2020, representing $271 million in contracts awarded to M/W/DSBE firms. 

• The City of Philadelphia announced PHLDonateTech, a City initiative calling on residents and businesses to donate, recycle, and provide computers to families and people in need across Philadelphia. The campaign requests donations of laptops and desktops in fair or good condition.  

• Bills and resolutions seeking to extend the emergency paid sick leave sunset date, address the costs of permit parking, and seeking to declare the week of December 14 as PHL Connect ED week were introduced during this morning’s City Council session.
• Many bills saw final voting and passage during Council today, including bills that amend criminal record screening standards, make changes to certain tax abatements, provide protections to contract and hospitality workers, legislative the landlord-tenant relationship during the pandemic, and require demographic reporting for City contracts.
• Council also passed an Ordinance providing for a payment to the City upon the construction of certain real estate to support the Division of Housing and Community Development. Prior to the vote, the Chamber sent a letter to members of Council expressing opposition to the bill along with a fiscal impact study.
• The Chamber will host a virtual event on December 14 with City Procurement Commissioner Monique Nesmith-Joyner. Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.

Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 Future is Uncertain

Time is running out on bipartisan talks to reach agreement following the release of the $908 billion Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 that Congressional Democrats endorsed as a starting point for renewed negotiations.  A summary was released yesterday following the release of a general framework last week, but contentious issues like state and local aid as well as liability protections remain difficult for both sides to overcome. Both items lacked detail within the summary, listing them only as agreements “in principle as the basis for good faith negotiations.”  Senate Majority Leader McConnell has suggested that the best way to reach a deal on an emergency relief package would be to remove these two polarizing issues and focus instead on targeted bipartisan measures, an approach long-touted by Republicans. Congressional Democrats have roundly rejected this tactic, leaving the prospects of passing a relief package in the remaining days of lame-duck session very uncertain.

In addition to the two contentious issues, many Democrats are concerned that a $300 per week supplemental unemployment benefit falls short of the demonstrated need from displaced workers. Many Republicans and Democrats are insisting that the relief package also include another round of $1,200 direct payments to most Americans, something that was absent from last week’s bipartisan framework. The White House has reportedly proposed the inclusion of $150 billion for stimulus checks amounting to $600 per person and may veto any package that does not include it.

The bipartisan framework also includes $288 billion in small business support programs, $86 billion in education and student loan funding, $16 billion in vaccine distribution, testing and contact tracing, and $45 billion in assistance to airlines, airports, passenger rail, and transit.  

The Chamber supports the $908 billion COVID Emergency Relief Framework as an interim relief bill in the lame-duck session. The proposal represents the best bipartisan, bicameral opportunity to inject stimulus into our economy before the end of the calendar year. Although we believe higher levels of federal assistance are necessary to support our economic recharge and recovery, rising COVID-19 caseloads and ordered economic slowdowns demand that Congress acts now rather than extending the six months of partisan debate any further.

FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations Package Negotiations Ongoing

Congress must pass a FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations package before it adjourns. Although House and Senate appropriators reached an agreement on the topline funding levels for the dozen appropriations bills, both sides have not agreed on the inclusion of smaller items like COVID-19 emergency spending provisions, endangered species protections, funding for research and training on reducing racial inequalities within the justice system, and the carbon neutrality of forest biomass.

In order to avert a government shutdown this Friday, the House voted on a short-term stopgap funding measure yesterday to provide Congressional leaders additional time to negotiate an agreement on a broad omnibus spending package. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the continuing resolution would make December 18 the new deadline for Congress to either pass an omnibus appropriations package or punt the issue into the beginning of next year through passage of another short-term temporary funding patch. Since the omnibus is being highlighted as the legislative vehicle for passage of an emergency relief package, December 18 will likely be the last day of the legislative session before adjourning the 116^th Congress. 

The House also passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a 335 to 78 vote this week despite a veto threat from the President. The vote margin exceeds the two-thirds majority needed to overturn a veto. The President has threatened to veto the defense bill because it doesn’t include a repeal of legal liability protections for social media companies.

Upcoming Federal Advocacy Program

• December 18 – [Virtual] Federal Advocacy Update with Congressman Brendan Boyle »

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

PA Senate Democrats Announce $4 Billion COVID-19 Recovery Plan

Last Friday, the State Senate Democratic Caucus presented its own $4 billion COVID-19 relief and recovery plan. Known as the Pennsylvania Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act of 2021 (PA CARES 21), the proposal follows up on the original PA CARES plan that was developed by the Caucus in October, but was not included in the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget adopted by the General Assembly on November 20.

The PA CARES 21 plan would allocate $100 million to hospitals with a high number of Medicaid patients and $136 million for higher education. It would also allocate $800 million for business assistance, including $300 million for restaurants and the hospitality industry. The plan would be funded through borrowing. 

In addition to the new $4 billion proposal, the state’s existing debt includes, $618 million that the state has already borrowed from the federal government to keep paying unemployment benefits; $600 million the state is borrowing from the state Treasury to prevent the shutdown of state Department of Transportation road and bridge projects because of shortfalls in fuel tax revenues; and the $3.43 billion in interest the state owes on its existing $10.75 billion in net bond debt this fiscal year totaling $1.31 billion, among other issues. 

On September 1, the S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook for Pennsylvania’s credit rating to negative from stable. 

State Senate Appropriations Chair Says PA Has Big Budget Hole for FY21

On Wednesday, the Chamber hosted Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Chair Pat Browne for a virtual gathering in which he announced that the Commonwealth is facing the next fiscal year with a $3.7 billion budget hole. He noted that the focus of the state Senate Republican Caucus is to balance the budget without raising taxes or borrowing. He said he believes the state will receive additional stimulus dollars from Washington, D.C. and is hopeful Pennsylvania will receive some $4 billion in state aid.

In addition, Senator Browne said that while the amount of funding has been diminished over the last several years, the General Assembly will provide roughly $200 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants next year.

Chamber members also expressed concern about the state of Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure funding. Senator Browne said he is looking forward to this spring when issues about transportation funding will be discussed in greater detail. The state Department of Transportation is currently facing a $600 million shortfall.

The Pennsylvania Senate will return in January 2021.

Questions? Contact Liz Ferry (lferry@chamberphl.com) for more information about state legislative affairs.

COVID-19 Case Data

Today, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philadelphia has reached 77,366. The number of residents who have succumbed to the virus in Philadelphia has reached 2,117. Of the total deaths, 952 (45%) were long-term care facility residents.

Office of Economic Opportunity Releases FY 2020 Annual Report

The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) released its Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report, which details all City contracts with minority-, women-, and disabled-owned enterprises (M/W/DSBEs) during FY 2020. The overall City participation rate for FY 2020 was 30.08 percent, representing $271 million in contracts awarded to M/W/DSBE firms. 

The FY 2020 Annual Report examines the portfolio mix of citywide contracts, including those from City departments, quasi-public agencies, and contracts paid through federal funds awarded during the period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Participation is defined as the total contracts awarded to M/W/DSBEs as a percentage of available contracting dollars. The report also provides details on the performance of private sector contracts subject to an Economic Opportunity Plan (EOP), due to City-related approvals and contract size. 

City Launches PHLDonateTech

The City of Philadelphia today announced PHLDonateTech, a City initiative calling on residents and businesses to donate, recycle, and provide computers to families and people in need across Philadelphia. The campaign requests donations of laptops and desktops in fair or good condition.  

To meet this need, the City is partnering with AT&T; Retrievr, an on-demand clothing and electronic recycling company; and several local refurbishers which include the Electronic Access Foundation (EAF), the NERDiT Foundation, and the Temple University Computer Recycling Center (CRC). These organizations have been helping communities recycle and refurbish equipment safely and securely during the pandemic and bring years of experience to this project. 

Once devices are refurbished and ready to use, residents will receive the devices for free.  

There are different ways to donate devices:

• Donating 25 or fewer devices:
  • Individuals and organizations that donate 25 or fewer devices will fill out Retrievr’s online form. They will either visit retrievr.com or text the word PICKUP to 757-70-FETCH to get started. Retrievr’s easy-to-use system walks through how to identify what will be donated and how to select your collection date. Retrievr will then do a contactless pickup of your items, and deliver reusable devices to the NERDiT Foundation. NERDiT will refurbish the devices and provide them to nonprofits, who will distribute them to people in need. In support of PHLDonateTech, Retrievr will offer free pickups that include laptops and desktops for free through January 15.  

• Donating 26 or more devices:
  • Individuals or organizations that donate 26 or more devices will fill out EAF’s online form and EAF will pick up the equipment for free. EAF can provide donors with a certificate that they followed the industry’s data security and refurbishment standards. EAF will work with Temple’s CRC to refurbish equipment and provide them to Philadelphia nonprofits to distribute the devices to people in need. 

• Donating to the Community Device Fund:
  • If an individual or organization doesn’t have equipment to donate right now, then they can still help families get devices. Individuals and businesses can make a monetary donation dedicated to PHLDonateTech to the Mayor’s Fund. All funds will help get devices into the hands of those who need them. The Digital Literacy Alliance (DLA) will hand out funds to relevant refurbishers and nonprofits. 

Learn more about PHLDonateTech by going to phila.gov/phldonatetech and checking out the FAQ about the initiative.

Updates from City Council

The following bills and resolutions were introduced during this morning’s City Council session:

• Councilmember Kendra Brooks introduced a bill revising provisions related to emergency paid sick leave seeking to extend the sunset date beyond 12/31/2020.
• Councilmember Maria Quinones Sanchez introduced a bill addressing the costs of permit parking.
• Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced a resolution declaring the week of December 14th as PHL Connect ED week in Philadelphia.

The following bills were also voted on and were passed by Council today:

• Bill 200479 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 9 3500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards,” by amending definitions, revising restrictions, and amending and clarifying remedies.
• Bill 200366 – An Ordinance amending Section 19-1303(4) of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Authorization to Offer Exemption from Real Estate Taxes on New Construction of Residential Properties,” by modifying the start date of certain changes to tax abatements with respect to new residential construction, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200556 – An Ordinance providing for a payment to the City upon the construction of certain real estate, and directing Council to appropriate revenues from such payments to the Department of Planning and Development – Division of Housing and Community Development, in order to support equitable neighborhood development by constructing affordable housing, including units for sale or rent; providing assistance to Philadelphians who desire to become homeowners; providing opportunities for workforce development and apprenticeship; and requiring M/W/DBE participation goals.
  • Prior to the vote being held for this bill, the Chamber sent a letter to members of Council expressing opposition to the bill along with a fiscal impact study.
• Bill 200653 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Real Estate Taxes,” by modifying the amount of certain tax abatements, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200557 – An Ordinance adding a new Chapter 9-5300 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Travel and Hospitality Worker Recall and Retention,” to require that certain laid-off employees in certain hospitality and travel-related industries are offered job positions as they become available, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200559 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-2300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Protection of Displaced Contract Workers,” by clarifying definitions and scope of applicability, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200563 – An Ordinance adding a new Chapter 9-5400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Retention of Hotel Workers,” to require that hotel employees receive notice of changes in hotel ownership or control, and providing related employment protections, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200573 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 19-1300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Real Estate Taxes,” by clarifying definitions and process regarding qualification for certain tax abatements based on tax delinquency, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200624- An Ordinance approving a Second Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan 2019-2020 to add $11,311,404 in Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200616 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 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 but not limited to periods of applicability of various provisions, such as the applicable period of the eviction diversion program, and time frames applicable to qualification for certain provisions, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Bill 200588 – An Ordinance amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Contracts and Procurement,” by amending Chapter 17-100, entitled “Procurement Contracts,” to add disclosure requirements related to prior contracting experience and the demographic characteristics of employees and board members of contractors and subcontractors for City contracts for competitively bid goods;
• Bill 200589 – An Ordinance amending Chapter 17-100, entitled “Procurement Contracts,” by adding requirements related to the provision of information regarding the demographic characteristics of the employees of, and the labor force used by, City contractors and subcontractors in the performance of work under certain City contracts for competitively bid services.
• Bill 200590 – An Ordinance amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Contracts and Procurement,” by amending Chapter 17-100, entitled “Procurement Contracts,” and Chapter 17-1400, entitled “Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance,” to add disclosure requirements related to prior contracting experience and the demographic characteristics of employees, other sources of labor, and board members of contractors and subcontractors for City contracts for public works, other competitively bid services, and professional services, and by adding reporting requirements.

View the status of pending bills and resolutions »

View upcoming confirmed City Council meeting dates and agendas »

Upcoming Doing Business with City Hall Virtual Programs

• December 14 – [Virtual] Doing Business with the City: Pathways to Procurement »

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.

Questions? Contact William Carter (wcarter@chamberphl.com) for more information about local legislative affairs.

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: