March 5, 2021
Weekly Wrap
Budget hearings wrapped up this week in the House of Representatives. Here’s a look at the hearings that took place and some main topics discussed in each.
Monday
Department of Education
- In-person instruction
- Vaccination of teachers
- Charter schools
Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges
- Transfer of credits
- Remote learning
- Workforce development
Tuesday
Department of Labor and Industry
- Unemployment compensation system
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program
- Staffing/call centers
Wednesday
Department of Human Services
- Nursing home and long-term living facilities
- Minimum wage
- Child care
Thursday
Budget Secretary/Governor’s Executive Offices
- Minimum wage increase
- Governor’s tax proposal
- Education funding
In addition to budget hearings, the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee met on Tuesday for a public hearing on COVID-19 vaccination distribution for old adults and long-term care facilities. Also, the House Human Services Committee held an informational meeting on county services for mental health, intellectual disabilities, and autism.
On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee and Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a joint public hearing on education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, on Thursday, the House State Government Committee held a public hearing with state and local officials to discuss voter registration issues.
The Week Ahead
Next week it’s the Senate’s turn to hold budget hearings to examine the Governor’s budget proposal. The hearing schedule is as follows:
Monday
- Independent Fiscal Office
- Department of Revenue/Lottery
Tuesday
- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Department of Transportation
Wednesday
- Department of Human Services
Thursday
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Department of State
Also, on Monday, the House Children and Youth Committee will hold a public hearing on the state of childcare.
Tuesday, the House Finance Committee will hold an informational meeting on an analysis of the condition of the state’s financial security. Furthermore, the House State Government Committee will hold a public hearing on government transparency and Right-to-Know Law requests during COVID-19.
The following hearings will be held on Wednesday:
- The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee will hold a public hearing on COVID-19 vaccine distribution for older adults and long-term care facilities;
- The House Labor and Industry Committee will hold a public hearing on the current status of the unemployment compensation system;
- The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold an informational meeting on the deployment and utilization of carbon dioxide management technologies; and
- The House State Government Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss the certification and operation of voting machines.
Finishing up the week, on Thursday, the House Commerce Committee will hold a public hearing on the impact of a minimum wage increase.
A full list of committee meetings can be found here:
In Other News
- The Governor revised the mitigation order on gatherings and lifted out-of-state travel restrictions.
- Additional information was released on the COVID-19 vaccine for teachers, child care workers, and school staff.
- The Administration announced an extension of the Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams to support long-term care facilities as they continue to face COVID-19.
- $145 million in relief will be available for the hospitality industry by March 15.