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In This Update:
- Rally to Urge PIAA to Allow Fall Sports to Be Played
- More Than $2 Million in Grants to Help Local Water, Sewer Projects
- Lawmakers Review Plans to Reopen Schools Safely
- Hearing Highlights Debate Over Fall School Sports
- Deadline to Apply for LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Grants is August 31
- Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams
- Reminder: Important 2020 Election Deadlines
Rally to Urge PIAA to Allow Fall Sports to Be Played
The ability of children to safely play fall sports should be a parent/student decision. All parents should have the right to choose if their children should play under the safety provisions outlined by the PIAA. I attended a rally in Harrisburg to encourage the PIAA to stay the course and allow the decision on whether to have fall sports seasons to rest with the school districts and the parents of the athletes. Time and time again, I have heard from our constituents about the important and essential role school activities and sports play in children’s health and well-being.
We have seen throughout the summer and in other states that the possibility exists for the safe return of sports in order to help our children achieve a much-needed sense of normalcy in such difficult times. I continue to urge the PIAA to remain committed to their work toward a safe return to play.
More Than $2 Million in Grants to Help Local Water, Sewer Projects
More than $2 million in small water and sewer grants were awarded yesterday to various ongoing projects throughout the 34th District. This much-needed funding will protect local residents from massive rate increases while ensuring that a vital water and sewer improvement is able to move forward. I was happy to help bring these tax dollars back to our community. This support is essential to making certain that important public improvements are made.
Local grantees were:
- $150,000 for Allensville Municipal
- $200,000 for Boggs Township
- $124,000 for the Gregg Township Sewer Authority
- $100,000 for Liberty Township
- $106,000 for Millheim Borough
- $77,636 for Mountaintop Regional Sewer Authority
- $170,000 for Penn Township
- $100,000 for Petersburg Borough Sewer Authority
- $1 million for Union Township Municipal Authority
The Small Water and Sewer Grant Program is under the Department of Community and Economic Development with funding made available by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The program grants funds to projects of not less than $30,000 and not more than $500,000 that assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects.
More information is available at www.SenatorCorman.com.
Lawmakers Review Plans to Reopen Schools Safely
As schools throughout the state continue to refine plans to meet the educational needs of students this fall, the Senate and House Education committees held a joint hearing this week with Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine to get an update on efforts to safely reopen schools during COVID-19.
The hearing included discussion of several important topics, including questions about reopening guidance, legal liability issues, local control, mask mandates for students and recommendations on responding to COVID-19 cases.
Earlier this year, lawmakers dedicated $207 million from Pennsylvania’s share of federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) funding to help schools cover increased costs from COVID-19.
Video and testimony from the hearing are available here.
Hearing Highlights Debate Over Fall School Sports
Governor Wolf’s last-second recommendation that school sports be delayed until 2021 sparked an intense debate about whether these activities can be performed safely during COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee held a hearing this week with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and other stakeholders, including school and sports representatives, to discuss how school sports can take place safely.
PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Lombardi said that he believes school sports can resume this fall with proper safeguards in place to protect the health of student-athletes. He also said that a meeting with the Wolf Administration last week presented no specific medical or research reason that would suggest that participation in interscholastic sports inherently increases the risk of COVID-19.
Full video and additional details from the hearing are available here.
Deadline to Apply for LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Grants is August 31
Pennsylvanians who are struggling to pay utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic can still apply for assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Recovery Crisis program. The program offers payments directly to utility companies or fuel providers for renters and homeowners who have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
The program is scheduled to end on August 31. Applications are available online or by contacting your local County Assistance Office.
Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams
The Department of Banking and Securities recently raised concerns about new scams related to COVID-19. Some of the scams involve charitable donations, fraudulent health claims, apps, advance loan fees, foreclosure bailouts and other financial fraud targeting Pennsylvania consumers. More information is available to ensure Pennsylvanians do not fall victim to any of these scams.
State residents can ask questions or file complaints about COVID-19 scams by calling 1-800-722-2657. The department previously offered tips to avoid coronavirus scams in March.
Reminder: Important 2020 Election Deadlines
Although the 2020 general election is still a few months away, it is never too early to register to vote so your voice is heard in November. The deadline to register for the November election is October 19. The graphic above includes several other important deadlines for Pennsylvania voters.
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