Jenkintown Borough continues to update the opens in a new windowBorough website with the latest COVID-19 information and community resources that have been provided by County, State and Federal agencies.
State Representative Steve McCarter shares the latest COVID 19 updates as well as helpful community news and resources below:
Dear Friends,
It’s likely that this week, you’ve heard or read two wildly different takes on the status of our emergency declaration here in Pennsylvania.
Here’s what happened:
While I was a “no” vote on House Resolution 836, it passed through both the Republican-controlled House and Senate on Tuesday evening. The purpose of H.R. 836 is to terminate the emergency order Governor Wolf issued in March and extended earlier this month to help our commonwealth in its fight against a worldwide pandemic, COVID-19.
After the resolution passed both chambers, many Republicans declared the emergency order was over and that life in our state could “return to normal,” even though the coronavirus very much opens in a new windowremains a significant threat not only in our region, but across the country and most the world.
However, this opens in a new windowdeclaration is premature. According to Article III, section 9 of our state constitution, for any concurrent resolution to possess the force of law, it would need the governor’s signature or a two-thirds override by both chambers. opens in a new windowGov. Wolf has not signed it. Therefore, it is NOT law. In essence, the emergency order remains in place.
But, to you, I wanted to stress again that the danger of COVID-19 remains. The emergency order also remains. As we opens in a new windowmoved from “red” to “yellow” phase in Montgomery County last week, we must continue to take cautious, measured approaches to reopening.
The idea of “going back to normal” – at least in terms of what “normal” meant pre-pandemic – is simply absurd, and it unnecessarily puts lives at risk.
I continue to work from home, and so does my staff. Our plans are to reopen the office this summer, following guidance by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as the safety of you and my staff is our priority. As soon as our plans have been set, I will let you know.
In the meantime, my staff and I are always available to answer questions and help to ease, as best we can, the many hardships the pandemic has wrought. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via phone at (215) 572-5210opens phone dialer and/or email at RepMcCarter@pahouse.netcreate new email. We will get through this together.
The CDFI address issues by matching federal resources with private funding and investing that support in low-income and underserved people and communities.
This program offers both Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance awards to CDFIs. These competitive grants cover operating expenses related to the shutdown, the transition to reopen, and for technical assistance, including training and guidance.
The other big news this week was the ongoing push for police reform. In Pennsylvania, my colleague Rep. Tim Briggs opens in a new windowsupports calls for action on this type of legislation.
Rep. Briggs is Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, where far too many reform bills have languished because the Republican chairman, Rep. Rob Kauffman, has refused to bring them up for discussion.
Steve McCarter Pennsylvania State Representative Serving Cheltenham Township, Springfield Township and Jenkintown Borough
The Borough continues to encourage everyone to continue to follow the Governor’s latest reopening guidance as well as opens in a new windowCDC guidelines including handwashing, social distancing and covering your mouth and nose with a face covering while around others.
