News Releases

A new loan program offered by the federal government will help businesses, employees and self-employed individuals that have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

The Senate convened remotely today to pass several bills to keep Pennsylvania moving forward during the COVID-19 coronavirus public health emergency, according to Senate Republican leaders.   They said the first-ever remote gathering of the Senate was necessary to pass timely legislation related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.    [Read More]

The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) approved funding today to provide $61 million in low-interest loans to Pennsylvania small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

The Department of Education (PDE) announced today all schools in the commonwealth will remain closed through at least April 6 as a result of the COVID-19 response efforts, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.     [Read More]

The deadline to file Pennsylvania personal income tax returns with the Department of Revenue for 2019 has been extended by 90 days to July 15, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34), Senate Majority Whip John Gordner (R-27) and Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne (R-16) today issued the following response to the Governor’s order that “non-life-sustaining” employers in Pennsylvania close their physical locations:   [Read More]

Resources and information are available to businesses and employees who have been affected by Governor Wolf’s order yesterday for nonessential businesses to close due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns, according to Senator Pat Browne.   [Read More]

In order to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and protect the health and safety of local residents and office staff, Senator Pat Browne (R-16) announced today that his Allentown, North Whitehall Township and Upper Macungie Township Offices will be temporarily closed for meetings, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, until further notice.   [Read More]

Leaders from the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS), local patients and members of the medical community joined Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne (16th District) in announcing the acquisition of $400,000 in state funding.   [Read More]

At the #PASenate #PAbudget hearing with @PennsylvaniaDEP, I questioned Secretary Patrick McDonnell about the solvency of the Hazardous Site Cleanup Fund & the administration’s proposed $1 per ton increase to the tipping fee on municipal waste landfill deposits to bolster it.     [Read More]

School safety grants totaling $923,000 were awarded yesterday (Feb. 27) to seven school districts and the Carbon Lehigh Intermediary Unit 21 in Lehigh County, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne (R-16).   [Read More]

Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services, Inc., (North Whitehall Township) and Lynnport Community Fire Company #1 (Lynn Township) will each receive a $95,000 grant from the state of Pennsylvania, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh).   [Read More]