EnviroPolitics Blog

Sweeney bill expanding paid-family leave sent to NJ Gov. Phil Murphy

The New Jersey Assembly today approved, and sent to the Governor, a legislative initiative authored by Senate President Steve Sweeney to cover more workers during public health crises.

“The coronavirus pandemic is creating health care challenges with economic consequences for workers and their families that are likely to become worse,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester / Salem / Cumberland), who authored the original Paid Family Leave Law. “We must work together to be resourceful, responsive and proactive at a time when so many people are experiencing hardship due to the pandemic.”

Senator Sweeney praised the collaboration between the Senate, Assembly and Governor’s Office to act swiftly in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill, S2304, would extend temporary disability and family leave benefits to workers who need to take time off of work to recover from COVID-19 or to care for family members suffering from the disease. It would also expand earned sick leave benefits to cover mandatory or recommended quarantines. The legislation was approved by the Senate last week as part of a package of coronavirus response bills.

The current family leave program is capable of providing up to 85 percent of wages with a cap of $859. The expanded bill would make the benefits available for people who have to self-quarantine or care for loved ones and allow those who have not lost jobs but are still confronted with financial difficulties to continue to collect a paycheck.

The legislation would expand the definition of a “serious health condition” under both programs so that more workers would become eligible for benefits during a state of emergency declared by the Governor or determined by the Commissioner of Health or other public health authority. The expansion would include an illness caused by an epidemic of a communicable disease.

The bill was released from the Assembly by a vote of 78-0.

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How sidelined employees can find jobs in NJ during coronavirus emergency

News Release from Office of NJ Governor Phil Murphy

From the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development:

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES, BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19

TRENTON – State and federal help is starting to arrive for businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19.

The Murphy Administration launched a one-stop jobs portal to match job-seekers with immediate openings at businesses serving on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies across New Jersey are hiring for thousands of positions.

Jobs Portal: https: / / jobs.covid19.nj.gov

Job-seekers are advised to check the site frequently, as new information and additional features are being added daily.

“This is a great opportunity for workers who have been laid off or seen their hours reduced to get back to work quickly, while serving their state by working in an industry with critical needs during this pandemic,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “We all have a role to play in making sure workers keep income coming in and businesses have the staffs they need to move us through this public health emergency.”

Additionally, Gov. Murphy signed bills last week that provide a lifeline to small businesses struggling with cash-flow during the pandemic and offer job protections for employees who are directed by a medical professional to stay home from work because they either have or are likely to have COVID-19, and may spread the virus in their workplace.

Bill A3845 provides grants to small businesses through the Economic Development Authority. These grants, which will be available for the duration of the current public health emergency, will provide working capital and help businesses meet payroll. The grants are designed to help struggling businesses handle the income disruption and uncertainty due to COVID-19.

For additional information, visit the EDA.

Bill A3848 provides job protection to employees who miss work because they have or are likely to have COVID-19, and have been directed to stay home by their doctor. This vital worker protection bill gives employees the peace of mind they need to stay home if they are sick. This action, coupled with New Jersey’s generous Earned Sick Leave, Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance laws, will help stem this pandemic by allowing workers to remain at home without fear of losing their job, or not being reinstated.

Suspected sick leave violations should be reported to the NJ Labor Department.

The federal government has also put in place new protections for employers and employees.

Businesses in all 21 counties are approved for federal disaster assistance in the form of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). These loans are for small businesses, small agriculture cooperatives, and most private, nonprofits of all sizes meet their regular financial obligations that cannot be otherwise met because of the pandemic.

For more information on disaster loan assistance, visit the Small Business Administration.

Furthermore, federal legislation becomes effective April 2 that will provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to employees of employers with fewer than 500 employees – beyond the maximum of 40 hours of paid leave to which all New Jersey employees are entitle under the state’s earned sick leave law – to employees who are stricken with COVID-19, those who have been exposed to the virus and workers whose child’s school has been closed or who cannot access child care due to COVID-19.

Parents whose child’s school has been closed, or who cannot access child care due to COVID-19, will also be eligible starting April 2 for leave under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The first 10 days of the expanded FMLA is unpaid. The remaining 10 weeks must be paid by the employer.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act also includes extended unemployment benefits; however, New Jersey has not qualified for these benefits at this time. If New Jersey does qualify for the extended benefits, applicants may not need to do anything new. Information will be posted on our website as it becomes available.

Additional assistance is being considered this week by Congress and the state Legislature.

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Pa. lawmakers gather at Capitol despite remote voting and calls for ‘social distancing’

By Gillian McGoldrick of Lancaster Online
Updated: March 24, 2020- 5:32 PM

This story was produced as part of a joint effort among Spotlight PA, LNP Media Group, PennLive, PA Post, and WITF to cover how Pennsylvania state government is responding to the coronavirus. Sign up for Spotlight PA’s newsletter.

HARRISBURG — Despite emergency measures to allow lawmakers to vote remotely and avoid contact with one another, many in the state House did not heed health officials’ calls to stay home and gathered Tuesday for their first session focused on the coronavirus.

About 70 House members — about 50 Republicans and 20 Democrats, with some sitting side by side — were on the floor to consider several bills, including one to postpone Pennsylvania’s primary until June 2. A smaller number worked from their Capitol offices.

Public health officials, including Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, have urged people to stay at least six feet apart whenever possible and limit gatherings to no more than 10 people. On Monday, Gov. Tom Wolf issued a “stay-at-home” order for seven Pennsylvania counties, with an eighth added Tuesday.

Both the state House and Senate have passed temporary rules that allow members to cast their votes from home. Currently, there are 198 lawmakers serving in the 203-member House because of vacancies and one member’s serving in the military.

Only House leaders and committee chairs are required under the new rules to come to the Capitol in person, but members were not barred from attending.

Many Republicans said they felt conflicted about balancing their duties as elected officials with their responsibilities as individuals to stop the spread of the coronavirus by staying home, said Mike Straub, spokesperson for House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster).

Cutler and Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) “made it abundantly clear” members did not need to attend in person, Straub said.

Rep. Keith Greiner (R., Lancaster) said he attended “because I have the people’s work to finish and get accomplished.” His Republican colleague Seth Grove from York County said it was “important for elected leaders to be on the forefront and show up to work.”

“We ask that of our health-care professionals, first responders,” Grove said Monday after attending a committee meeting. “I just think it’s my duty as an elected leader to physically show up for work.”

Several Democratic House members shared pictures of themselves on social media working from home, including Reps. Donna Bullock (D., Phila.) and Melissa Shusterman (D., Chester). Still, several of the Democrats present on the floor Tuesday were from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties that are under Wolf’s stay-at-home order.

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Coronavirus cases surge to 4,402 in NJ with 62 deaths. Officials announce 736 new cases.

By Matt Arco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jersey’s total coronavirus cases rose to at least 4,402 with 62 deaths as officials announced another 736 new cases on Wednesday during an afternoon briefing on the expanding outbreak.

“These numbers are sobering, but not surprising to us,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “We’ve been one of the most aggressive testing states in America.”

Details on the 18 new deaths were not immediately available. Murphy said more cases are expected and the state continues to work to expand hospital capacity. New Jersey has the second highest number of coronavirus cases after New York.

“We must be ready for the time when the surge comes,” Murphy said. “We have known that we will need to increase hospital capacity. We are in this fight to save lives.”

A county-by-county breakdown on the new cases was not immediately provided.

Coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, March 25

LOCATION	CASES	DEATHS
New Jersey	4,402	62
New York State	30,800	285
New York City	17,856	192
Pennsylvania	1,127	11
Philadelphia	342	1
United States	60,115	827
Worldwide	451,355	20,499

Note: Data includes confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported by the CDC, state health officials and other health agencies since Jan. 21. Updated: March 25 at 2:10 p.m.Table: Len Melisurgo Source: Johns Hopkins Univ., NY Times, FOX 29 Philadelphia, State Health Departments in NJ, NY, PA Get the data Created with Datawrapper

In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, Murphy has closed all schools in the state, ordered people to stay at home except for necessary travel, banned social gatherings, and ordered non-essential retail businesses to close until further notice. Officials have promised to prosecute those who violate the orders.

Murphy also announced a way for workers to report companies where people who are able to do their jobs from home were told by their employers to report to the office. Murphy said New Jersey employers should not be forcing their workers to go to offices if those people are able to do their jobs remotely, per his executive order.

There are now government-run drive-thru coronavirus testing centers in Paramus and Holmdel, as well as a number of sites run by county agencies, hospitals and private companies. Both state-run testing sites closed early Tuesday after hitting testing capacity.

Meanwhile, officials announced Tuesday that four new pop-pop field hospitals are on their way from the federal government to help deal with the surging cases. They will be located in Secaucus, Edison, and Atlantic City, with a fourth location to be determined.

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Developer apologizes for company letter threatening to evict tenants who don’t pay rent during coronavirus pandemic

By ANDREW WAGAMAN
THE MORNING CALL |MAR 23, 2020 | 8:55 PM

Nat Hyman appears before Allentown City Council in October 2018.(APRIL GAMIZ / THE MORNING CALL)

Allentown (Pa) developer Nat Hyman apologized Monday for a letter his property management company sent to tenants amid the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to evict those who didn’t pay rent on time.

The Hyman Properties letter, which provoked a furor on social media, began by acknowledging that “these are difficult times,” and that many tenants in the last few weeks “may have lost your jobs and/or be on unemployment.”

“Despite these circumstances, you are required to pay your rent on time,” the letter continued. “While this may sound like we are being uncaring, please keep in mind that all of our expenses, including bank mortgages, taxes, insurance, etc. continue to be due and payable on time. Our policies to enforce the payment of rent remain exactly as they were before.”

Tenants who pay rent April 2-5 would be charged a $50 late fee, the letter stated. The company threatened to file evictions and disconnect cable for tenants who did not pay rent in full by April 6.

“If you are not able to pay your rent in full, please contact the office and we will arrange a date for you to move out of your apartment,” the letter stated.

This is one of the least compassionate things I’ve ever seen. We need our leaders to step up and end evictions and rent…Posted by Allentown Coalition for Economic Dignity on Monday, March 23, 2020

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled last week that no one can be evicted, ejected or otherwise displaced from a home because of failure to make rent or mortgage payments during a court shutdown, which will extend through at least April 3.

Reached Monday evening, Hyman apologized for the letter, which he said was written by one of his managers and was “not worded as well as it could have been.”

Hyman assured that no tenant will be evicted during the pandemic, and that the intent was to “remind people that rent isn’t a negotiable bill.” All too often, he lamented, tenants stop paying rent before they stop paying cable and utility bills.

“We have enormous debts, and the reality is that if we don’t get paid, we lose these buildings,” he said. “If it wasn’t sensitive enough, then I apologize.”[More News] ManorCare reports coronavirus case, first at a nursing home in Northampton County »

Later Monday, Hyman issued a written apology via text, calling the letter “totally insensitive.”

“I’ve spent all week trying to negotiate with the banks, but they have shown very little movement,” he wrote. “I asked one of my managers to make sure that we get in as much rent as possible to pay the banks. In writing this letter, the manager should have been more sensitive, but I have to own this because I am the boss.”

Hyman reiterated that he will not try to evict any tenants during this crisis, and that he was wrong for allowing the letter to go out.

Luis Ortega and his wife, Nicole, rent a two-bedroom apartment at a Hyman building in the 1000 block of West Linden Street. Both lost their jobs last week — he works in manufacturing, she’s a nurse at a dermatology practice.[More News] ManorCare reports coronavirus case, first at a nursing home in Northampton County »

Ortega shared emails in which he asked Hyman directly if they could wait to pay rent until they get their first unemployment checks. Hyman didn’t budge.

“Go file tomorrow and you should have no problem having your money in time to pay the rent,” he wrote.

Ortega said he was hopeful the backlash on social media would persuade Hyman to work with tenants.

“People don’t deserve to be bullied, especially not right now,” he said.

Hyman has 15 properties in Allentown, many of which are older industrial buildings he’s redeveloped into middle-income and affordable lofts. He’s also the CEO of Landau Jewelers, a costume jewelry company.

Hyman ran for mayor in 2017 and has said he’s giving a 2021 run “serious consideration.”

Morning Call reporter Andrew Wagaman can be reached at 610-820-6764 or awagaman@mcall.com.

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Wall Street stages massive rally as coronavirus stimulus hopes grow

Stocks notch one of their best days ever, with the Dow skyrocketing more than 11 percent

By Rachel Siegel and Thomas Heath, Washington Post
March 24, 2020 at 4:01 p.m. EDT

Stocks posted one of their best days ever on Tuesday, a sign of investor belief that Congress has no alternative than to pass a $2 trillion rescue of a U.S. economy that is on life support.

The massive stimulus is designed to be a lifeline to Americans and their employers until the coronavirus is brought under control and the country returns to some semblance of normalcy. The Federal Reserve signaled the gravity of the situation Monday when, in an unprecedented move, the central bank said it would spend whatever it takes to preserve the U.S. financial system.

Markets starved for good news shot upward Tuesday on faith that the stimulus was almost a given. The Dow Jones industrial average surged more than 2,000 points, or 11 percent, and pulled itself back above the 20,000 mark. The Dow finished the day at 20,704, its best day since 1933 and fourth best ever. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index jumped 9 percent to 2,446. That is the broad market’s best day since 2008. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumped more than 8.1 percent.

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“It’s too early to be blindly optimistic, but the size and pace of the policy responses to this crisis are very encouraging,” said Lauren Goodwin, economist and portfolio strategist at New York Life Investments. “This is not a time to be heroes calling a market bottom, but we are keeping a close eyes on indications of light at the end of the tunnel.”

All 11 S&P sectors were positive, led by a beaten-down energy sector that had lost half of its value this year due to a collapse in oil prices. Energy posted a nearly16 percent gain, led by oil giants such as Chevron. Several oil companies, including BP, saw shares spike after companies said they would tighten their belts in the wake of the rock-bottom oil prices.

Boeing, Home Depot, American Express, JP Morgan and Walt Disney — most of whom have been savaged by the coronavirus restrictions — had big days on the Dow as optimism over the stimulus took hold. American Airlines led the airlines sector with a 35 percent jump. The airline industry is anticipating a massive aid package from the stimulus.

Some of the buying came on the heels of slim-but-positive news that parts of the world were making strides against the coronavirus.

“The decline in the growth of virus cases in Italy is very encouraging because it gives the U.S. a line of sight into what the other side of this crisis might look like,” Goodwin said.

The eventual exit from the various lockdowns in the U.S. and across the world is starting to enter the national discussion. Most health experts have said it is going to take several weeks or even months of people staying home to significantly contain the spread of the disease.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an NBC interview last week that “I cannot see that all of a sudden, next week or two weeks from now, it is going to be over. I don’t think there is a chance of that.”

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Analysts, economists and corporate leaders are saying that even the beginnings of a plan would help. President Trump said Tuesday that he would like to see the economy reopened by Easter.

“Beijing announced that its lockdown on Hubei province will be lifted on April 8,” said David Rosenberg of Rosenberg Research. “The case count there has plunged significantly. Korea is in such good shape it is now exporting masks. There seems to be a light at the end of the dark tunnel in Italy too. And here at home, President Trump is talking openly about establishing a balance between health and wealth.”

The turnaround follows a volatile session Monday that sent markets plunging after the Senate twice failed to advance the coronavirus stimulus bill. Now, striking positive and optimistic tones, legislators are hashing out remaining discussions so that a vote may come to pass by Tuesday night.

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