Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that appropriates emergency funding for the COVID-19 response.

Signed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that appropriates emergency funding for the COVID-19 response.

Highlights:

• Establishes accountability for spending and makes transfers or other changes necessary to impact the availability of revenue (Sec. 1).

• Requires the following for unexpected funds (Sec. 2):

• Money received by the commonwealth from the federal government under division A of title V of the CARES Act and initially deposited into the account that remains unexpended as of December 1, 2020, including, but not limited to, any money previously appropriated to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Community and Economic Development, including distributions to the counties, shall be returned to the account by December 15, 2020; and

• The money in the account as of December 22, 2020, is appropriated and shall be transferred by the state treasurer to the Department of Corrections to meet payroll expenses for public safety and health care or similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• Authorizes the governor to determine whether an appropriation from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund is necessary to meet emergencies involving the health, safety and welfare of the residents of this Commonwealth or to counterbalance downturns of the economy (Sec. 2.2).

• Establishes the intent of the General Assembly that (Sec. 4)

• Money from the budget stabilization reserve fund be appropriated only when emergencies involving the health, safety and welfare of the residents of this commonwealth; and

• Money in the budget stabilization reserve fund shall not be used to begin new programs but to provide for the continuation of vital public programs in danger of being eliminated or severely reduced due to financial problems resulting from the economy.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to amend and pass a bill that appropriates emergency funding for the COVID-19 response.

Highlights:

• Establishes accountability for spending and makes transfers or other changes necessary to impact the availability of revenue (Sec. 1).

• Requires the following for unexpected funds (Sec. 2):

• Money received by the commonwealth from the federal government under division A of title V of the CARES Act and initially deposited into the account that remains unexpended as of December 1, 2020, including, but not limited to, any money previously appropriated to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Community and Economic Development, including distributions to the counties, shall be returned to the account by December 15, 2020; and

• The money in the account as of December 22, 2020, is appropriated and shall be transferred by the state treasurer to the Department of Corrections to meet payroll expenses for public safety and health care or similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• Authorizes the governor to determine whether an appropriation from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund is necessary to meet emergencies involving the health, safety and welfare of the residents of this Commonwealth or to counterbalance downturns of the economy (Sec. 2.2).

• Establishes the intent of the General Assembly that (Sec. 4)

• Money from the budget stabilization reserve fund be appropriated only when emergencies involving the health, safety and welfare of the residents of this commonwealth; and

• Money in the budget stabilization reserve fund shall not be used to begin new programs but to provide for the continuation of vital public programs in danger of being eliminated or severely reduced due to financial problems resulting from the economy.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that appropriates emergency funding for the COVID-19 response.

Full Bill Text