Gov. Wolf Signs COVID-19 Response Bills
Governor Tom Wolf signed four bills today to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania that bolster the health care system, benefit workers and schools, and reschedule the 2020 primary election for June 2. These bills were passed earlier this week by the General Assembly following their first-ever remote voting. House
Ongoing COVID-19 Pennsylvania Updates
LAMPA will continue to share COVID-19 updates here as they are received. LAMPa staff is working with partners addressing the needs of all people in the Commonwealth, especially our most vulnerable residents. We hold all of your communities in prayer as we endeavor to respond faithfully to the presence of
Update on Pennsylvania’s Surprise Balance Billing Protection Act
Pennsylvania's Surprise Balance Billing Protection Act, HB 1862, bill passed out of committee unanimously, and is now sitting on the House floor, waiting for second consideration. The bill keeps consumers stay out of the middle of this issue in an emergency situation by allowing them to pay the expected in-network
Rally in Capitol March 9 for Stewardship of Creation
"The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it, for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers." Psalm 24: 1 On March 9, join LAMPa and creation care advocates from around the state for a
ELCA Partners With Census for Neighbor and Ourselves
Our communities are significantly shaped by census data, and Census 2020 will update these numbers for the first time in 10 years. The ELCA is an official partner of the 2020 Census to encourage the most accurate count possible. “Funding for over 100 federal programs, many of which combat poverty
Gov. Wolf Unveils 2020-2021 Budget Proposal
Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a $36.1 billion state spending plan that will rely on continued economic growth – proposing no increases in sales or personal income tax rates while boosting support for public school and college students, vulnerable Pennsylvanians and low-income workers. The budget plan, which raises spending by about
Minimum Wage Increase Passes in PA Senate
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a compromise bill that would gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $9.50 per hour over the next two years. Under the terms of Senate Bill 79, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage would move from $7.25 to $8 per hour on July 1, 2020. It would rise to
Golden Rule 2020: Add Your Name to Call for Dignity and Respect in Politics
November 3, 2019, marks one year before the national elections. Many churches are demonstrating their concern about the polarization in our country by being part of Golden Rule 2020. The ELCA signed a joint statement of support available at https://www.revivecivility.org/golden-rule-2020-call-dignit. In part the statement says, “We believe that we can
PA Elections Legislation Includes $4M for Census Efforts; Enumerator Recruiting Begins
Legislation to update Pennsylvania's election laws and pay for upgrades to voting machines includes up to $4 million to help ensure an accurate 2020 Census count in the Commonwealth. The law, signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 31, is a significant change. It allows anyone to cast a mail-in
Pennsylvania One of 10 States in the U.S. With Increased Number of Children Living in Concentrated Poverty
Twelve percent of children in Pennsylvania live in concentrated poverty according to “Children Living in High Poverty, Low-Opportunity Neighborhoods,” a new KIDS COUNT® data snapshot released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Using the latest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, the snapshot examines where concentrated poverty has worsened
