Pennsylvania – Page 3 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

September 18, 2020 by Duane Morris

Federal District Court Strikes Down Pennsylvania Governor’s COVID-19 Emergency Orders as Unconstitutional

On September 14, 2020, a federal court in Pennsylvania ruled that Governor Tom Wolf’s emergency orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic are unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Plaintiffs—a group of counties, elected public officials and businesses—challenged several of the governor’s COVID-19 orders requiring numeric limitations on gatherings of individuals, closures of nonlife-sustaining businesses and directing Pennsylvanians to stay at home. Judge William S. Stickman IV of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor, declaring that portions of the challenged orders violate the United States Constitution.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

September 17, 2020 by Duane Morris

Philadelphia to Expand Emergency Sick Leave Benefits to More Workers

On September 10, 2020, the Philadelphia City Council voted 16-1 in favor of a bill that expands paid sick leave benefits to Philadelphia workers who are not covered by federal sick leave laws, such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The bill will broaden the scope of Philadelphia’s Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces sick leave law by providing paid “public health emergency leave” to more people who work within the geographic boundaries of the city, including individuals workings for companies with 500 or more employees, independent contractors and “gig economy” workers. Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration has indicated he supports the bill, and thus we expect he will sign it.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

September 14, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania to Allow 50 Percent Indoor Dining Capability

On September 8, 2020, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that restaurants in Pennsylvania will be allowed to increase their indoor seating capacity to 50 percent, effective September 21, 2020.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

August 25, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

$1B of CARES Relief for Small Business in PA Governor Wolf’s Recreational Cannabis Bill

Earlier today, August 25, 2020, Gov. Tom Wolf called on the Pennsylvania legislature to legalize recreational marijuana and use the tax revenue to help small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, Gov. Wolf’s proposal on recreational marijuana was part of a package unveiled to spend the $1 billion remaining out of $3.6 billion CARES Act funding. The Governor called for a range of spending that would include$225 million in forgivable loans and grants to small businesses and another $100 million for restaurants and bars, hospitality and leisure businesses that have taken a big hit since March with business closures and occupancy restrictions. Tax revenue from the sale of recreational marijuana would add to the state’s small business funding and half would go to historically disadvantaged businesses.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

August 21, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Philadelphia to Lift Indoor Dining, Theater and Movie Ban

As of September 8, 2020, Philadelphia will allow indoor dining at restaurants, with restrictions. Indoor theaters and movie theaters will also be allowed to reopen on September 8 with venues not to exceed 50% capacity, with a maximum of 25 people allowed.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

August 7, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Making $10.5M Available for Career and Technical Education Centers

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating approximately $10.5 million in equity grants to Career and Technical Education Centers (CTC) to assist them in implementing public health and safety plans and help them to resume operations.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

August 3, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Philadelphia Extends Residential Eviction Moratorium through March 15, 2021

As of July 31, 2020, Philadelphia City officials have extended the City’sresidential eviction moratorium in Philadelphia until March 15, 2021.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

August 3, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Philadelphia Extends Indoor Dining Ban Through September 1, 2020

Philadelphia has extended its ban on indoor dining at restaurants to September 1 after the city has seen another week COVID-19 cases on the rise. The previous ban was set to end August 1.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

July 16, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Announces Hazard Pay Grants to Life Sustaining Occupations During Pandemic

Governor Tom Wolf announced the availability of $50 million in grant funding to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

July 16, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Executive Order Extends Residential Mortgage Evictions and Foreclosures Moratorium

Governor Tom Wolf signed a new executive order on July 15, 2020, extending the moratorium on residential evictions and foreclosures until August 31, 2020.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.