PA CARES Plan

Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats announced the “PA CARES Plan.” PA CARES is a $3.9 billion plan to spend federal funds to provide additional relief to individuals, families, and institutions affected by COVID-19. The PA CARES Plan includes:

• $1.1 billion in direct aid for working people, including student debt relief, rental and utility assistance, and more;
• $900 million for school districts, local governments, and childcare providers;
• $665 million for increased COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment, hazard pay for frontline workers, and more;
• $425 million for small businesses, prioritizing those not receiving federal funds.

For more details, please read the plan or follow me on social media.

Federal Business Relief

Congress has added $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a coronavirus relief loan program managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The new funding will allow SBA lenders, community banks and credit unions to loan money to small family-owned businesses, churches, and nonprofits. Additional SBA programs also continue to serve businesses while funding exists:

• EIDL Loan Advance—a loan advance of up to $10,000 for businesses seeking economic relief.
• SBA Express Bridge Loans—allows up to $25,000 for small businesses with an existing SBA relationship.
• SBA Debt Relief—provides financial assistance to small businesses.

Status of Reopening PA

Philly (source):

MontCo (source):

Transition to Online Education Continues

School buildings are closed for the remainder of the academic year, but school is open online. School districts in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties are offering a host of educational resources to students at home:

• Starting 4 May, The School District of Philadelphia will provide three hours of daily learning through Google Classroom on district-issued Chromebooks.
• Abington School District developed a modified grading system to reflect learning done through digital platforms, including coursework on Google Classroom.
• Cheltenham School District implemented a weekly check-in with students and staff via Google Meet, which will continue for the remainder of the school year.
• Jenkintown School District implemented a Continuity of Education program for distance learning, including virtual opportunities to engage through Google Meet.
• School District of Springfield created a virtual learning platform for students, including Google Meet, Zoom, and Seesaw.

PHEAA Relaxes Student Grant Requirements

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), the state agency that oversees financial aid programs for Pennsylvania postsecondary students, has relaxed some requirements to provide relief for students affected by COVID-19.

PHEAA’s most popular program is the PA State Grant, which provides up to $4,123 per year to eligible postsecondary students. In normal times, State Grants are reduced for distance education students to 75% of the maximum award. Due to COVID-19, PHEAA will not reduce awards for recipients who now learn remotely. PHEAA has also extended the application deadline for the State Grant by 2 weeks from 1 May to 15 May.

If you or your family members require assistance applying for the State Grant or other PHEAA programs, visit the PHEAA website or contact my office.

Vote by Mail

Visit votespa.com for more information.

Telephone Town Hall

Please join me tomorrow, 30 April at 6:40 p.m. for another COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall with guests Maria Macaluso of the Women’s Center of Montgomery County and Katie Young-Wildes of Women Against Abuse. To sign up or submit questions, visit my website at http://www.senatorhaywood.com/telephone-townhall or listen online via https://vekeo.com/senatorhaywood. Thank you.

Musical Mood Boost

If you’re in need of some sunshine today, here’s a musical expression of such. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUNqsfFUwhY.

Be the Light,

Art Haywood
State Senator
4th District

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