All adults in PA eligible for COVID-19 shot on April 19; Philly suburbs will give out J&J shots as state backs off mass clinic plan
April 1, 2021
Pennsylvania will allow everyone 16 and older to get the coronavirus vaccine on April 19, with many able to schedule appointments sooner, state officials announced Wednesday, days after other states across the country opened up appointments to all adult residents and President Joe Biden urged that the rollout be accelerated. While all adults will be eligible two weeks from Monday, law enforcement, firefighters, grocery store workers, and food and agriculture workers became immediately eligible Wednesday. The entire 1B group will be eligible on Monday, and 1C will be eligible a week later, on April 12, acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said. The changes will not affect Philadelphia, which is distributing its vaccine independently. A spokesperson said the city would not change its plan in response to the state. City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said this week that the city will open eligibility to all adults no later than May 1, following federal guidance. Those Pennsylvanians already eligible in phase 1A, which includes seniors, people with high-risk conditions, health-care workers, and others, remain able to schedule shots. The expansions will be supported by increased predictability in the federal vaccine allocations and a growing supply of shots, officials said at the news briefing. In Philadelphia’s collar counties, the Pennsylvania Department of Health no longer plans to open two mass clinics, and instead will divide a supply of single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses among the four counties — something that county leaders had requested and that the Department of Health had originally rebuffed.
States have given out billions in unemployment benefit overpayments during pandemic, watchdog reports
April 1, 2021
The government made $6.2 billion in overpayments across two unemployment insurance programs during the first year of the pandemic, according to a watchdog report released Tuesday. Millions of Americans lost their jobs as the coronavirus slammed the economy in spring 2020, forcing many to rely on jobless benefits and straining state unemployment systems. In March 2020, Congress passed legislation that boosted and supplemented regular unemployment benefits, including a new program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which extended help to workers left out of their state’s systems. The report by the Government Accountability Office said the Labor Department reported that “states had identified more than $3.6 billion in PUA overpayments from March 2020 through February 2021.” In addition, states identified $2.6 billion in regular unemployment insurance overpayments in the last three quarters of 2020. The report noted that “overpayments are not necessarily a result of fraud, though some may be.” States generally must require people to repay overpayments, but they can also waive that requirement if they find an individual was “without fault.” For instance, in October the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment forgave $1.4 million in PUA overpayments to 9,000 Coloradans after acknowledging that confusing forms for gig workers may have led some people to overestimate their incomes.
A Financial Transaction Tax is a Tax on Main Street, and Americans Overwhelmingly Oppose It
April 1, 2021
Over the last couple months, we have seen renewed calls for Congress to impose a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), a sweeping tax on financial trades of all kinds, such as trades of stocks, bonds, and derivatives.
What happened: During a recent Capitol Hill hearing some said that an FTT is an idea whose time has come. The Chamber strongly disagrees with that notion, particularly since the U.S. already lived through an unfortunate experience with an FTT from 1914 until it was repealed in 1965 in an overwhelming bipartisan vote by a Democratic Congress.
Why it matters: Bringing back an FTT would be a huge mistake for Main Street, consumers, taxpayers, retirees, states, and localities. Democratic and Republican voters understand that an FTT does more harm than good, particularly when they consider the other policy priorities where Congress can make a difference. The money collected by an FTT comes at the expense of money that would go to saving for retirement, a first home, or a child’s education.
Strong opposition: According to a recent poll conducted by the Chamber’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness (CCMC), a majority of Americans (63%) are deeply concerned and opposed to proposals to re-impose an FTT. Moreover, a majority of the voters CCMC surveyed believe an FTT would undermine pressing policy priorities, particularly the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as government’s top priority.
What we’re doing: The Chamber has consistently opposed efforts to impose an FTT and will continue to be a vocal advocate against this policy. Through our advocacy efforts and broader communications campaign, we will encourage policymakers to stand in bipartisan opposition to an FTT and focus on rebuilding the U.S. economy and reviving American jobs from the effects of the pandemic.
Dig deeper:
Learn more about CCMC’s recent poll.
Read CCMC’s 2019 report on FTTs.
Source: Tom Quaadman, Executive Vice President, Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The Economic Data Roller Coaster
April 1, 2021
Income, savings, and spending data are a wild ride right now because of government payments. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released data on them last week. It showed they all fell in February after spiking in January.
What happened: This was because of the $600 per person checks that went out in January. Those caused incomes to rise, people to spend more, and to save more during the month. When that support ran out, all three measures fell back down in February.
Income fell more than 7% in February–all because of the end of government support. Wages and salaries were flat and business owners’ income rose. Wages being flat is concerning as they had been growing well for several months. However, severe weather was likely the major cause. Wages should grow this month as job gains increase and weather moderates. Income in total remains more than 4% higher than it was prior to the pandemic.
Spending fell 1% in February after rising more than 3% in January. It rests just below its pre-pandemic level after finally rising above it in January.
And savings fell almost 37% in February after rising 64% in January. Savings was still almost $100 billion over trend in February. Americans have saved more than $3.1 trillion since the pandemic began. That is almost $2 trillion over trend.
Looking ahead: All of these measures will spike more in March than they did in January because of the latest round of government support. The latest checks are $1,400 per person, which is more than double the January checks. Expect income, consumption, and savings to be considerably higher in March than they were in January.
Bottom line: Of course they will all tail off again in April as they did in February. Assuming this is the last round of checks, these data will stabilize going forward. The enormous reservoir of savings Americans have accumulated over the last year is waiting to be spent, and is a large factor in robust growth estimates for the remainder of the year.
Source: Curtis Dubay, Senior Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Will the Biden Administration Deliver Tariff Relief?
April 1, 2021
The Biden administration inherited an array of new tariffs applied to nearly $400 billion of imported goods. That’s a sum “equivalent to one of the largest tax increases in decades,” per the Tax Foundation.
Why it matters: A tariff, of course, is a tax paid by American families and businesses. Last year the CBO estimated these duties would cut U.S. GDP by more than $100 billion and “reduce average real household income by $1,277” in a recurring if gradually fading hit to the economy.
What’s next for these tariffs?
By far the biggest bucket are Section 301 tariffs on goods from China. According to new U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the U.S. won’t lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the near future, but “might be open to trade negotiations with Beijing.” With China still imposing more than $100 billion in retaliatory duties on U.S. exports, she emphasized that “no negotiator walks away from leverage.”
The Trump administration also applied Section 232 tariffs to steel and aluminum after determining these imports “threaten to impair the national security.” U.S. allies from Germany to Korea have bridled at both the accusation and at the duties. Last fall, Secretary of State Tony Blinken pledged to “end the artificial trade war” on America’s allies, and the Chamber and most of the U.S. business community are pressing for their elimination.
The Biden administration is also seeking a settlement for the two-decade-old “large civil aircraft” disputes to limit subsidies and lift retaliatory duties the U.S. and the EU have imposed on one another. Aircraft and parts, liquor, and luxury goods are among the products hit with tariffs. These WTO disputes are ripe for settlement: The two sides recently suspended the duties for four months, but the clock is ticking.
The U.S. has also threatened tariffs as countries in Europe and elsewhere impose unilateral digital services taxes. Digital commerce and technologies became a lifeline during the pandemic, but these discriminatory taxes threaten growth and block progress toward a multilateral agreement in OECD tax talks. The Chamber is urging all parties to reject unilateral, discriminatory taxes and focus on a multilateral solution at the negotiating table.
Source: John Murphy, Senior Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania hoping to move into next vaccine phase in early April
March 18, 2021
Just over three months into the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Pennsylvania ranks in the middle of the pack among states for giving first doses and is putting pressure on providers to get everyone in Phase 1A scheduled with the goal of moving into the next phase early in April. To do that, it will have to step up its efforts to reach more of its large population of residents 65 and older, but Gov. Tom Wolf said distribution was speeding up, and counties and partnerships providing large clinics such as Wednesday’s drive-up in Cranberry and the use of sports venues have been increasing. “The pace of vaccinations in Pennsylvania is accelerating each day,” Mr. Wolf said Wednesday. “We have made tremendous progress, but we know we have more work to do.” Pennsylvania ranks 21st in the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose of the vaccine, with its rate sitting at 22.7%. Pennsylvania, Virginia and Arizona are all tied for this spot, while at nearly 30% New Mexico takes first place. In Phase 1A, all residents 65 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. Among the states, Pennsylvania has the eighth highest percentage — 18.7 — of the population over 65. But it ranks 44th in the percentage of people in that age group who have been vaccinated. According to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 58% of that population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. The state health department this week told vaccine providers to get everyone in 1A scheduled for an appointment by the end of the month.
American Rescue Plan Relief Allocation Summaries
March 18, 2021
Click here to view a breakdown of estimated state and local funding allocations through the American Rescue Plan.
Click here to view a breakdown of estimated state-specific education and childcare funding allocations through the American Rescue Plan.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will provide a summary of the American Rescue Plan later this week.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Q1 Small Business Index: Small Business Owners Indicate a Long Road to Recovery
March 18, 2021
Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber and MetLife released the Q1 2021 Small Business Index—a survey of small businesses to take the temperature of the sector, see where small business owners are confident, and where they are experiencing challenges. The Q1 2021 index in particular focused on how the distribution of coronavirus vaccines is influencing the attitudes of small business owners towards the return to normalcy.
Among other insights, the Q1 Small Business Index finds that:
54% of small businesses say the availability of coronavirus vaccines makes them feel more optimistic about their own business’s future
59% of small businesses this quarter predict it will take six months to a year to get back to normal
91% of small businesses are concerned about the pandemic’s effect on the national economy and 59% of small businesses rate the overall U.S. economy as poor
America Does Not Need a Tax Increase
March 18, 2021
The Biden administration is preparing to push one of the biggest tax increases in 30 years. Measures could include raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, changes to international provisions that could make American companies less competitive, as well as increasing the individual rate for high earners.
Why it matters: Pushing for a massive tax increase, especially during a pandemic, would not help businesses recover, create jobs, or get the economy back on track. After the Tax Cuts and Jobs of 2017, the first major tax reform in decades, reversing this good work would be the wrong move.
Raising taxes would:
Derail economic recovery since higher corporate income taxes harm economic growth and, ultimately, hurt workers
Make the U.S. tax system less competitive
And make the U.S. a less attractive place to invest profits and locate corporate headquarters
What we’re doing: Caroline Harris, Chamber Vice President for Tax Policy and Economic Development, has been defending tax reform in a series of blog posts on Above the Fold:
“The ‘Fair Share’ Fig Leaf” (with Senior Economist Curtis Dubay)
What else? The Chamber currently leads and participates in several coalitions with other associations including:
PACE – Protecting America’s Competitive Economy – Preserve international tax provisions to ensure American companies remain globally competitive.
RATE – Working to preserve the corporate RATE - Working to prevent increases in the 21% corporate tax rate.
EDITDA – “Save the DA” - Extend the current provision that allows businesses to add back their depreciation, depletion, and amortization for purporses of interest deductibility calculations.
R&D – Maintain favorable R&D incentives – Make permanent the ability to expense R&D, rather than shift to amortization at end of 2021.
To learn more about these coalitions, please contact Caroline Harris at CHarris@uschamber.com.
Bottom line: It is imperative that we preserve the tax reform gains the Chamber worked for decades to achieve. These will enable American businesses to compete successfully in the global economy, attract foreign investment to the U.S., increase capital for investment, and drive job creation.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
What’s Happening with Interest Rates?
March 18, 2021
Interest rates and inflation expectations have been in the news lately because both are rising. The increases are linked. The underlying causes are the improving economy and the extraordinary fiscal and monetary actions taken over the last year.
What’s happening? Interest rates are rising because the economy is improving fast as the virus recedes in the U.S. Many anticipate growth accelerating in the middle of the year as case levels fall further, service industries open back up in earnest, and consumers spend their recent relief payments and the savings they have compiled over the last year (about $2 trillion in aggregate).
An improving real economy causes interest rates to rise because investors seek less safety in low-risk investments like U.S. Treasury bonds, instead searching for better yields in riskier investments. At the same time, businesses are looking to invest more to capitalize on the improving economy. The competition for the investment funds drives rates up.
Since January 1, the ten-year Treasury rate has increased 61 basis points, from 0.93% to 1.54%. That is still a historically low rate (the 10-year was 2.71% in January of 2019, for instance, and that was relatively low), but a 61% increase in just over two months is a sharp uptick.
Why it matters: Higher interest rates on Treasuries will translate into higher mortgage rates, higher rates for business borrowers, and others taking on debt. The flip side is that it will mean higher rates for savers, who have seen almost 0% rates on their savings for over a year now.
The other factor driving up interest rates is the rising expectation of inflation. During the pandemic, Congress has injected trillions of dollars into the economy through stimulus payments and other spending. The Federal Reserve has also put trillions into the financial system. These actions have caused consumers, investors, and businesses to expect higher inflation soon. When they expect inflation, lenders require higher interest rates to account for their money losing value over time.
The difference between regular Treasury rate and inflation protected rates (TIPS) shows inflation expectations. At the beginning of the year, those differences showed investors expected 2% inflation. They now expect inflation closer to 2.4% – a more than 16% increase in a short period of time.
Bottom line: Look for interest rates continue to rise because of the improving economy. Inflation expectations are probably built-in for now. But if inflation rises more, those expectations will rise too and drive rates up further.
Source: Curtis Dubay, Senior Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Index Finds Vaccines Drive Optimism
March 18, 2021
The distribution of coronavirus vaccines is providing small business owners with signs of optimism, but most see a long road ahead before things return normal, according to the latest MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index.
By the numbers:
Seven in 10 small business owners (70%) say they are likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is made available to them.
A majority (54%) of small businesses say the availability of coronavirus vaccines makes them feel more optimistic about their own business’s future.
Six out of ten (59%) small businesses predict it will take six months to a year to get back to normal.
More minority-owned small businesses (86%) are concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their business’s future versus 72% of non-minority-owned small businesses who are concerned.
Our take: “Vaccines are the ultimate shot at economic recovery, but we know there is a long road ahead for small business owners,” said Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley. “Over one hundred thousand small businesses have already shuttered across the country, and the U.S. Chamber is working tirelessly to stop anymore from closing. We must ensure small businesses receive the assistance they need to avoid permanent closure and continue to provide a livelihood for millions of Americans.”
Discover & Deliver: Vaccines Helping Americans Declare Independence from Coronavirus
March 18, 2021
With three authorized COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S., the country is ramping up the largest vaccination campaign in history.
On Thursday, President Biden announced that every American should be eligible to receive a vaccine by May 1, with a goal of achieving our new normal by July 4th. With America’s birthday mere months away, let’s recap where things stand with the COVID-19 vaccine.
What’s New?
Last week, Novavax announced their COVID-19 vaccine candidate was 96.4% effective against mild, moderate, and severe disease caused by the original COVID-19 strain. While the vaccine was 55.4% against the South African variant, the company stated the vaccine is 100% effective against hospitalization and death.
Additionally, data from Israel – who leads the world in COVID-19 vaccinations – illustrated that the Pfizer vaccine was 97% effective against symptomatic disease and 94% effective against asymptomatic COVID-19. Because asymptomatic disease drives the spread of the virus, the new data illustrates that the vaccines are incredibly effective at stopping COVID-19 in its tracks.
Meanwhile, as schools across the country race to re-open, earlier today, Moderna reported the start of a Phase 2/3 pediatric study to test the vaccine in children between the ages of 6 months to 12 years.
If we’re learned anything over the last year of the pandemic, it’s that this virus is relentless. But the science is, too.
If we continue to follow that science and invest in clinical research in the coming months, hopefully we will all be able to celebrate Independence Day together in four months’ time.
PA Chamber: State Minimum Wage Report Highlights Actual Demographics of Minimum Wage Earners
March 18, 2021
Last week, the state Department of Labor and Industry published its "2021 Minimum Wage Report" and PA Chamber President Gene Barr issued the following statement:
Gov. Wolf Revises Mitigation Order on Gatherings and Lifts Out-of-State Travel Restrictions
March 4, 2021
As COVID-19 cases continue to decline and the state’s vaccination plan is amplified, the Wolf Administration announced revised and lifted mitigation restrictions that are effective statewide today.
“Pennsylvania is taking a measured approach to revising or lifting mitigation orders,” Gov. Wolf said. “The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to people following the mitigation efforts we have in place. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene are making a difference and need to continue even as we see more and more people fully vaccinated. We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery. We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.”
The revised mitigations restrictions announced today include:
Revised maximum occupancy limits for indoor events to allow for 15% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 15% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.
Revised maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events to allow for 20% of maximum occupancy, regardless of venue size. Core public health measures such as face covering (mask-wearing), social distancing, and hand hygiene still must be enforced. The 20% of maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers are able to comply with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement.
Eliminate out-of-state travel restrictions. In November, the Department of Health provided an updated travel order requiring anyone over the age of 11 who visits from another state to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in a travel quarantine for 14 days upon entering Pennsylvania. Today, this order was rescinded. The current downward trend of cases nationwide and implementation of testing requirements and universal face covering on public transportation and transportation hubs are reducing the risk that interstate travel is a vector of disease transmission.
Along with these changes, there is caution. Reduced cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and the more than 2.3 million vaccinations are good signs, but the CDC advises that now is not the time to introduce expansive loosening of mitigation efforts known to put people at more risk. New cases of variants continue to appear, and some experts warn of a fourth surge in cases.
The state considered broad range of data for today’s announcement and when considering lifting additional restrictions including (all data is as of Feb. 26):
Percent of population receiving at least one dose of vaccine: 14 percent of the population under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health has received at least one dose of vaccine; if you remove those under age 16, the percentage increases to 16.9.
Percent positivity; this stands at 6.3%
The incidence rate per 100,000 residents; this stands at 101.3 over a 7-day period; and
Hospital bed capacity (availability) stands at 41%.
The Governor’s revised order on travel can be found here.
The Governor’s order for mitigation, enforcement and immunity protections can be found here.
The Acting Secretary of Health’s revised order on gatherings can be found here.
The Acting Secretary of Health’s order rescinding travel restrictions can be found here.
Find FAQs for the mitigation order changes here.
More information is available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
PA Chamber: State Minimum Wage Report Highlights Actual Demographics of Minimum Wage Earners
March 4, 2021
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement regarding the recent publication of the PA Department of Labor and Industry’s "2021 Minimum Wage Report."
“For years, advocates have politicized the minimum wage issue, touting it as the panacea to helping low-income Pennsylvania families out of poverty. However, the state Department of Labor and Industry’s 2021 Minimum Wage Report reveals important data that demonstrates why focusing on this policy is misguided. According to the report, 84 percent of minimum wage earners have no children; 34 percent have family incomes of $75,000, with 22 percent over $100,000; and nearly 70 percent are younger than 25 years old.
“Lawmakers should focus on developing thoughtful public policies that target assistance to low-income families and don’t risk negative impact on jobs. We continually hear from our broad-based membership – particularly small businesses – that these mandates have real-world consequences for both the employer and their workforce. A recent study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that an increase to $15 an hour would lead to the loss of 1.4 million jobs nationwide, around 500,000 more than the number of people the CBO projects will be helped out of poverty.
“The current proposal on the table would be especially difficult for restaurants, many of whom are barely surviving after business shutdown orders and capacity restrictions. The proposed elimination of the tipped wage system means many would somehow have to manage a roughly 240 percent increase in labor costs in just a few months. Advocates for this proposal are either disconnected from reality or indifferent to the plight of these struggling small business owners and their workers.
“No one disputes that some individuals benefit from mandated wage increases; but the fact is, others end up being hurt – including some of the very people advocates claim they want to help. We are urging lawmakers to put political differences aside and focus on alternative proposals that help struggling families and Pennsylvania’s small businesses.
COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) Application to Open 3/15; YCEA to Administer Grant Program for York County
March 4, 2021
In February, the York County Commissioners designated the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), the county’s certified economic development organization, to facilitate the $5.08 million in funding assistance available to hospitality industry businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These funds are a portion of the $145 million allocated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the passage of Act 1 of 2021, dedicated to aid hospitality industry businesses under the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP).
Today, the YCEA announced the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) application for York County will open Monday, March 15 at 9 a.m., and remain open until Wednesday, March 31 at 5 p.m. This grant program is not first come, first served. It will be available online to apply at www.PreparedYork.com/CHIRP .
Businesses seeking these grants can receive between $5,000 and $50,000, based upon the gross sales of the business prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is available to businesses who were open and operable prior to February 15, 2020, with fewer than 300 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs), and were adversely financially impacted by COVID-19.
As outlined in the Commonwealth’s Act 1 of 2021, only businesses with a NAICS designation within the accommodation sector (721) or Food Services and Drinking Places sector (722) as reported on the 2019 business tax return are eligible for this grant program.
“The hospitality, restaurant, and tourism industries are among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously it is the industry that often most uniquely defines a community’s identity,” said Kevin Schreiber, president and CEO of the YCEA. “While the road to recovery is just beginning, we are grateful for the Commonwealth’s allocation of these funds, and for the trust of the York County Commissioners in our administering this vital program for our community.”
“The recovery of the hospitality industry is vital to our County’s economic success. These funds are the jump start to that recovery,” added William T. Yanavitch II, Chair of the Board of Directors for YCEA. “We applied our team’s talent, expertise and knowledge to distribute $16.5 million in CARES Act funding through the YoCo Strong Restart Fund, and we are ready to once again assist our small businesses at a time when they need it the most. We appreciate the confidence of the Board of Commissioners for entrusting YCEA with this responsibility.”
Funding will be prioritized to businesses who have been unable to secure other government funding support, such as the SBA’s PPP program, EIDL, or the YoCo Strong Restart grants. Further prioritization will be considered for federally defined historically disadvantaged businesses – those owned by persons of color, women or veteran owned businesses. Funding prioritization will also consider the financial impact the business has endured.
“Ensuring funds reach those who are most vulnerable, in more need, or have been disproportionately negatively impacted is paramount. Through our experience with the YoCo Strong Restart Fund, our team, and a robust community outreach and assistance plan, we believe we can do just that,” said Schreiber.
The YCEA team will provide application guidance, in both English and Spanish, and help businesses prepare for the application opening. The YCEA has extensive experience with programs such as the Commonwealth Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), or Commonwealth loan programs such as the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority Loan Program (PIDA), Next Generation Farmer loans, and federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programming. As a certified economic development organization, it is well prepared for opportunities such as these.
Visit www. PreparedYork.com/CHIRP to review criteria and eligibility, read FAQs, sign up for webinars, and see in-person office hours available. The YCEA team is available at 717-848-4000 or via email at CHIRP@yceapa.org
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill enabling National Guard to help with COVID-19 vaccine effort
March 4, 2021
Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation Wednesday that will allow the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist with the state’s effort to distribute COVID-19 vaccines. “This bill will support the National Guard and other state agencies in the planning process for community vaccination clinics once supply of COVID-19 vaccines increases,” Wolf said in a statement. “This service will help further expedite getting vaccine to Pennsylvanians across the state.” The legislation enables the National Guard to work with the Pennsylvania Health Department to operate regional sites to administer the COVID-19 vaccines. The bill also requires the Wolf administration to report on how the Guard is being incorporated into the vaccination distribution strategy. Earlier Wednesday, the Wolf administration said the National Guard would assist in efforts to vaccinate teachers and school staff. The initial round of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be directed to teachers and other school employees. Wolf said the goal is to get school staff vaccinated so school districts still operating remotely can reopen their classrooms. State Rep. Tim O’Neal, R-Washington County, authored the bill to have the Guard assist in the vaccine distribution. At a news conference with the governor to discuss plans to vaccinate teachers, O’Neal said he was glad to see the Guard getting involved with the effort. O’Neal formerly served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. “I’ve seen the capabilities our military has to deploy millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and thousands of people across the world in a timely and efficient manner,” O’Neal said.
Pa. bars and restaurants can apply for new state grants starting this month
March 4, 2021
Hospitality businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to apply for new state grants starting March 15 in most counties, through what’s being called the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program. Restaurant and bar owners have pressured state lawmakers for months to give their struggling businesses more help. Though a different grant program was offered last year, as well as low-interest paycheck protection loans, neither has been enough for many small shops. One estimate reported by Bloomberg showed more than 100,000 restaurants had closed nationwide by the end of last year. Some in Pennsylvania have been forcibly shuttered by the Department of Agriculture for failing to limit the number of dine-in customers or enforcing mask mandates. “This industry has been disproportionately hurt by this pandemic. The business owners, the employees and the patrons alike were put in an impossible situation with no clear answer,” Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin said. “This funding is going to make a big difference for businesses in the commonwealth. We need to do more to support a strong economic recovery from COVID-19, and that’s why this program is so important,” Wolf said. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate they lost at least a quarter of their revenue due to pandemic restrictions. Wolf said those who haven’t applied for state assistance before and those in underserved communities will get priority. The total funding available varies by county. More populated counties are getting a bigger share of the $145 million that state lawmakers approved for transfer from the state’s workers’ compensation fund last month.
Teachers, child care workers to get first dibs on Pa.’s initial batch of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
March 4, 2021
Pennsylvania’s initial doses of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine will go into the arms of school employees and child care workers. The state is expecting to receive an initial batch of 94,000 doses of this new vaccine this week. It will be reserved to launch an educator vaccination initiative intended to get schools and child care centers back open for in-person instruction. Gov. Tom Wolf, along with members of the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, plan to hold an 11 a.m. news conference on Wednesday to share further details about this effort. Wolf indicated at a Tuesday news conference that the task force sees this as an unique opportunity to use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to specifically target this group of front-line workers. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered in one shot, as opposed to the two-dose vaccines produced by Moderna and Pfizer. Eventually, Wolf said others, including police and fire personnel and grocery store clerks, will be prioritized. Given the race between vaccinations and the COVID-19 variants that are emerging, the governor said, “We want to do this as quickly as possible.” Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County, who serves on the seven-member task force, said child care workers and elementary school teachers, as well as school support staff are prioritized for this initial allocation of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The task force’s expectation, he said, is to remove this barrier that has prevented some schools from reopening.
Let’s Rally for Recovery
March 4, 2021
Calling all businesses!
You have another opportunity to help our country pull together against the pandemic.
Last week the US Chamber launched the Rally for Recovery Commitment, asking employers to commit to do their part. This includes considering actions in three key areas:
Encourage mask wearing and social distancing in the workplace.
Reduce barriers to employee vaccinations.
Communicate with your customers and communities about how to stop the spread of the virus.
Why it matters: With the Rally for Recovery Commitment, every company and organization can continue to do their part to help protect employees, customers and communities, so that together we can reignite the economy and defeat the pandemic.
This builds on over a year of efforts by the Chamber to arm business leaders with the tools and resources they need to protect their employees and recover from the pandemic.
Our take: “The business community has stepped up again and again to help our country endure and eradicate the pandemic and the U.S. Chamber is proud to serve and support these heroic and often unsung efforts,” said Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO-Elect of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is committed to helping the White House lead a widespread campaign to defeat COVID-19. Working together with our members that span every size of company and every sector of the economy, as well as our state and local chamber partners across the country, we urge every American business to continue take important steps in accelerating vaccinations, protecting workers, slowing the spread, and reopening the economy safely.”
Join employers across the country helping to protect workers and defeat the pandemic.
Dig deeper:
The U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Path Forward series
Coronavirus Small Business Resource Guide from CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Personal Income is Higher Than It was Pre-Pandemic
March 4, 2021
In a year full of economic data outliers, personal income stands out. It is supposed to fall during periods of economic contraction and remain down for some time after. And yet, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ release of income in January, it is now more than 12% higher than it was pre-pandemic. Keep in mind, the economy was doing really well back then. The tremendous rise in income is stunning.
By the numbers: Driving the year-over-year increase was a 10% increase in January alone. That is the second highest monthly increase on record, coming in behind only a 12.4% increase in April 2020. The economy is doing well, all things considered, and the underlying data show that. Wages and salaries of workers rose $7.2 billion, or 0.7%, in January compared to December. In normal times, this would be a large increase. The overwhelming reason income jumped so much last month was government transfers though. They rose $140 billion, representing more than 86% of the total monthly increase.
The government transfers were almost all the latest round of pandemic relief payments, the $600 per person checks that mostly went out in January. Supplemental unemployment insurance benefits also contributed to the rise in income. They increased about $20 billion in January. Higher income lead to a 2.4% increase in spending, after consecutive declines in November and December. Spending should continue to rise because Americans were unable to spend all the additional income last month. Savings increased $328 billion in January alone. Americans have compiled more than $1.8 trillion in savings above normal in the last 11 months. Those savings are available to boost spending in the coming months.
Looking ahead: February is likely to see a pullback in income because of the end of the relief payments, but March could see another strong rebound if Congress passes another round of payments it is considering now. The economy is poised for major growth starting in earnest when vaccines drive the virus to levels that allow close-to-full reopening.
Source: Curtis Dubay, Senior Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. House Passes $1.9 Billion COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
March 4, 2021
Over the weekend, the U.S. House approved a $1.9 trillion stimulus package, marking a significant first step in what would be the Biden administration’s first major piece of legislation.
COVID-19’s Strain on PA’s Unemployment Compensation System Highlighted at Public Hearing
March 4, 2021
The strain on Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation system due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the employer community was highlighted in testimony by PA Chamber Government Affairs Director Alex Halper during a public hearing of the House Labor and Industry Committee last week.
All updates prior to March 2021 have been archived. If you’d like archived information sent to you, please contact our office at office@hanoverchamber.com.