The Pennsylvania State Senate has advanced a partial budget plan while a local lawmaker is making sure that fire companies and EMS squads are not forgotten.
The Senate approved House Bill 2387 which is a nearly $26 billion budget to provide five months of continued level funding for most state agencies and services. Full year funding is provided for education and food security programs.
Senate Bill 1122 was also approved which would provide $44 million in grants for fire companies as well as an additional $6 million available to EMS stations. This bill was introduced by Senator Joe Pittman who represents part of Butler County. Pittman explains that these first responders have seen their workloads and expenses increase while funding programs have been suspended or canceled due to COVID-19.
Both bills will next advance to the desk of Governor Tom Wolf who could sign them into law.