News Releases

Facing an uncertain economic future and working to address the devastating impact of COVID-19, the Senate today set a course for recovery by approving a $25.8 billion interim budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21, according to Senate Republicans leaders.     [Read More]

News Conference at 4:30 with Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne on Passage of Interim State Budget and CARES Funding Distribution Plan     [Read More]

Thanks to the bi-partisan, bi-cameral efforts of Senators Pat Browne (R-16) and Lisa Boscola (D-18) and Representatives Peter Schweyer (D-22) and Mike Schlossberg (D-132), the Allentown Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Casa Guadalupe Center will receive a combined $254,000 in state grants.   [Read More]

KidsPeace Hospital has been awarded an $8 million Hospital Emergency Loan Program (HELP) to provide short-term financial relief due to a surge of COVID-19 cases, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

The Senate has approved a bill that would require the state to notify local first responders of COVID-19 cases in their communities, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

A new law will allow notaries to do business remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, clearing a major hurdle that prevented auto sales from being conducted online, according to Senate Appropriators Chairman Pat Browne, who supported the legislation.   [Read More]

A new system is available to provide unemployment assistance to individuals who are self-employed, contractors, gig workers and others who do not traditionally qualify for Unemployment Compensation, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

State Senator Pat Browne (R-16) will host a special COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall for constituents of the 16th Senatorial District on Wednesday, April 15 at 3:30 p.m.   [Read More]

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) today (April 10) approved a $450 million emergency loan program to assist financially distressed hospitals as they work to address the COVID-19 outbreak, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Pat Browne.   [Read More]

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]