The State Senate yesterday approved Senator Joe Pittman bill that provides $50 million in grants from the state’s federal CARES funds to fire departments and EMS companies. The Senate also passed the $25.8 billion short-term budget that funds most state agencies and services, and provides full-year funding for Pennsylvania’s schools.
Senate Bill 1122 grants $44 million to fire companies and $6 million for EMS stations. Pittman says traditional fundraising has been suspended by the coronavirus outbreak while their expenses have gone up because of their need for personal protective gear.
On the budget, Pittman says “There are just too many unresolved questions about our economy to attempt to budget for a full year at this point.” But, he says it’s important to address education funding and ensure that schools from Pre-K to universities know the funding they will get from the state.
Both of the bills have already been approved by the House and both are now headed to the governor’s desk.
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