PathWays PA Policy Blog

All month, we’re partnering with the Women and Girls Foundation , Pittsburgh United , MomsRising , Women's Law Project , and the Family Care Act to co-host What Workers Should Know, a webinar series in the age of COVID-19. We’ll provide practical advice on how to navigate the current job crisis. Every Tuesday at 1 PM, join our live Zoom meeting to learn what’s happening in Pennsylvania, what help is available and what policies can help turn things around. 5.12.20: Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family Leave : For the first time in our country’s history, Congress passed a law providing paid sick days and emergency paid leave to some workers. Join the Family Care Campaign for a discussion of the new laws; who can access them and how; and ideas on what we can do to cover all workers in the future. Join Marianne Bellesorte and Heather Arnet, from the Family Care Campaign, for an overview of the new and existing laws at the local, state, and federal levels and to learn about what you can do ...

As COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the globe, Philadelphia workers are experiencing devastating - and potentially long lasting - economic hardship. On Thursday, March 26 at 6 pm, join hundreds of impacted Philadelphia workers and elected City Hall officials for a virtual town hall to hear more about the impact of the coronavirus on retail, restaurant, healthcare, education, and domestic workers - and proposed solutions to the financial devastations we face. Workers will be joined by City Councilmembers and the Mayor’s Office for this video (Zoom) town hall. Join us to make sure that ALL Philly workers receive the support they need during this difficult time! Here’s how you can get the word out! RSVP here in English ; RSVP aqui en espanol Share on social media and your listservs using this toolkit Keep signing and sharing our petition We’re all in this together - see you at the virtual town hall to make sure workers demands are met and our families and communities are safe.

As more people are being diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our area, and as our schools and businesses begin to make plans for people to remain home to slow the spread of the disease, it's important to remember the role that paid sick days and paid family leave can play during a public health emergency. Workers needs paid sick days in the best of times, but when there are issues of public health, that time is needed more than ever. The same is true of paid family and medical leave, in order to be sure that people who need more time to recover - and their caregivers - can do so without risking their jobs. After you follow CDC recommendations for handwashing and other safety measures , here are some steps you can take to help everyone access the time they need. Sign a letter to Congress asking them to support legislation around paid sick days for public health emergencies Take a look to see what kind of paid leave laws already exist where you live Reach out to yo...

Last year, the Social Security Administration stated that it wants to change eligibility rules for disability benefits. Under the proposal, SSA would add 2.6 million eligibility reviews in the next ten years. They would also establish a new eligibility category. Currently, when someone qualifies for disability, they end up in one of three categories :  Medical improvement expected (reviewed every 6-18 months) Medical improvement not expected (reviewed every 5-7 years) Medical improvement possible (reviewed every 3 years) The Social Security Administration proposes adding a new category, "medical improvement likely," which is expected to include 4.4 million recipients. Many of these recipients will be children and people aged 50-65 with poor health and no income. If placed in this category, people will get reviews every two years. Navigating the disability process, including reviews, is already challenging . The process can take 2-3 years in some cases, and pe...

As we reach the holiday season, we hope you will take some time to reach out to Congress in support of other families in need. Over the past year, we've heard reports of horrific conditions in shelters where unaccompanied children were held. . In August 2019, the government announced they had no plans to give the flu shot at border detention camps - despite the deaths of at least three children from the flu while in custody. In October, we learned that 1500+ additional migrant children were separated at the border in the United States. 207 of the children were under the age of 5. We've now reached a record number of children detained , plus  an over 50% increase in the number of pregnant women detained . Even when they aren't separated from their children, whole families remain in detention , with the Administration currently appealing a decision that would enforce a 20-day time limit on family detentions. This type of long-term detention is shown to lead to stress and...

Over the past year, we've heard reports of horrific conditions in shelters where unaccompanied children were held. . In October, we learned that 1500+ additional migrant children were separated at the border in the United States. 207 of the children were under the age of 5. Now, the AP is reporting that the United States held a record number of migrant children in custody in 2019. According to the AP, "The nearly 70,000 migrant children who were held in government custody this year — up 42 percent in fiscal year 2019 from 2018 — spent more time in shelters and away from their families than in prior years." We must work with Congress now to stop family separations and family detentions, which are leading to immediate and long-term trauma for children . Please take action today to help end this practice. Take Action: Call your Senator and Representative at 202-224-3121 and ask them to stop family separation Use this link from Families Belong Together to contac...

Here's a roundup of current actions you can take to support immigrant and refugee families: Support the GRACE Act: Each fiscal year, the president determines how many refugees can be resettled in the United States. For nearly 40 years, the number of refugees entering our country has exceeded 95,000. In September 2019, the president announced that only 18,000 refugees could enter the country in the next year. Under the Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement (GRACE) Act, a minimum ceiling of 95,000 refugees would be set. You can take action on this Act and read more about it via HIAS Pennsylvania , or call Congress and ask them for support at 202-224-3121. Shut Down Berks: The Berks Detention Center continues to operate in Pennsylvania, despite having its license revoked in 2016. The facility has a capacity of 96 people and is reported to be at or near capacity most of the time. Just this week, a family from the UK were detained there and described the conditions as ...

(From our friends at the National Partnership for Women and Families ) The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently proposed a rule that would gut a long-standing civil rights protection called “disparate impact theory” under the Fair Housing Act that has offered recourse for countless people experiencing housing discrimination and segregation. Disparate impact allows people to challenge housing policies or practices that have a discriminatory impact on them because of their race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or religion – even if the policy or practice appears on its face to apply to everyone equally. HUD’s proposed rule would tip the scale in favor of those accused of housing discrimination. It would drastically increase the burden of proof for victims of discrimination, and provides new defenses that could shield housing providers, governments, and corporations from being held accountable for discriminatory policies. We need y...

This week, the Senate is likely to vote on legislation that would include paid family leave for federal employees in the National Defense Authorization Act. We need you to share your thoughts with Senators right now! The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) already passed the House with bipartisan support. It includes FEPLA, the Federal Employees Paid Leave Act. The Act is now in conference committee where a group of senators and representatives will determine which pieces to keep from the House and Senate versions. Today or tomorrow, Senator Schatz is expected to introduce a motion to include FEPLA in the conference agreement. There may also be a separate motion asking the conference committee to focus on comp time and tax incentives instead of a paid family leave program. These tax incentives don’t encourage new businesses to provide paid family leave, however – they usually just go towards businesses that already have it. Please call, email, and tweet at your Senators to ...

PathWays PA is heartbroken over the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton this weekend. We send our love to all those affected as we hold our own loved ones a little tighter. In El Paso, 22 people died and more than 2 dozen more were wounded in an attack. In Dayton, a gunman killed 9 people and injured another 14 in an attack that only lasted 30 seconds . More than 20 others were injured trying to escape. Take Action - your voice can make a difference: Contact your members of Congress to let them know what you think they should do. Call Congress at 202-224-3121. You can also send some of the following messages or use them as talking points in your phone calls From CHN: Enough is Enough - We Need Real Change.  From MomsRising: Ban the sale of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition From Everytown for Gun Safety: Demand smarter gun laws now  supporting gun violence research Visit the CeaseFirePA Issue Action Center for PA specific actions. V...

In July, the USDA announced proposed changes to the SNAP (food stamp) program that would cut food assistance from 3 million people nationally, including 200,000 people in PA .  These changes would restrict families with incomes above 130% of the federal poverty level from accessing food stamps and free school meals . Currently 40 states, including Pennsylvania, use categorical eligibility to determine if a family qualifies for SNAP. In PA, families with incomes up to 160% of the federal poverty level remain eligible for some amount of benefits if their child care, housing, or other expenses bring their income below 130% of the federal poverty level. Categorical eligibility allows families to phase out their SNAP benefits slowly as their income rises. It also allows low-income families to put money into savings, and it saves money by simplifying administration of the program.  Take Action - your voice can make a difference: Register for a webinar to learn how t...

The House and Senate are heading home soon to meet with their constituents - you. If there's something on your mind, now is a great time to set up a meeting to discuss it. If you're not sure how to go about setting up a meeting (or what to do once you're there), check out our information below. Decide what you want to meet about: There's so many issues to discuss right now - things like  immigration  and  paid family leave/the FAMILY Act. .... Think about what matters to you, and do a little research to learn more until you feel comfortable talking about it When you are ready, find your member of Congress here , and then ask to speak with the scheduler to set up a meeting. Here's a sample script: "Hi, my name is _________, and I'd like to speak to the scheduler about setting up a meeting with Rep. _______ during the August recess. I'm very interested in talking to the representative about __________. In most cases, you will need to go to the legi...

The immigrant detention crisis is deepening by the day. Children in migrant detention camps describe their situation as dire . In speaking to attorneys, they say: "I'm so hungry that I have woken up in the night with hunger." - 12 year old boy "We are in a metal cage with 20 other teenagers with babies and young children.... It is very cold." - 16 year old girl "The immigration agents separated me from my father right away. I was very frightened and scared. I cried. I have not seen my father again." - 5 year old boy Last week, the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General released a Management Alert titled: " DHS Needs to Address Dangerous Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention of Children and Adults in the Rio Grande Valley. " It notes "urgent issues that require immediate attention," including serious overcrowding, standing room only conditions (where some adults have been held for over a week), Of the 8,0...

Metastatic breast cancer (also known as Stage IV breast cancer) occurs when cancer spreads beyond the breast into other parts of the body, including the bones, liver, and brain. 116 people die each day from metastatic breast cancer in the United States - but, with access to treatment, metastatic patients can go into remission, live longer, and/or have better quality of life. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive a 2 year waiting period for metastatic patients to be eligible for Medicare. It would also waive a 5 month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for those who qualify. Access to healthcare and benefits is key for all those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Coalition reports that the Act has been introduced in the House and Senate . Please contact your legislators at 202-224-3121 and ask them to sign on!

The news coming from our southern borders this past week has been among the worst we've had - and it was already bad . Below is a summary of what we've seen this week: On Tuesday, June 18, the President announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would begin mass deportations on June 23. That process has been "delayed" two weeks to give Congress time to take action, according to a recent tweet. That same day, the government argued in court that they were not required to give soap or toothbrushes to detained children . Meanwhile, lawyers and others who have visited border facilities are reporting inhumane and dangerous conditions. These lawyers say detained children at a border station in Clint, Texas, have had no access to showers, laundry facilities, toothbrushes, or soap . Children at the facility are reportedly caring for each other. One attorney warned of a "pervasive health crisis" where "virtually everyone we saw was ill." ...

From our friends at Stop the Debt Trap Earlier this year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced it would rescind the ability-to-repay standard from the 2017 final rule. That means that payday loan sharks would not have to follow the common-sense practice of determining whether a borrower could repay a loan before granting it. This practice would trap more people in endless cycles of debt and hurt consumers. Currently, the CFPB is assessing tens of thousands of comments that support keeping the ability-to-repay standard. Congress is lending its voice to this process: Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) is sponsoring a letter urging the CFPB to keep the ability-to-repay in their final rule. We need your help to get as many members of the House of Representatives to sign on to this letter as possible. Now is the time for action: Before consumer protections are gutted, we need you to call your member of Congress and tell them to side with consumers, not with the payday l...

The situation for migrant children and families on our borders is worsening. In May, we learned about even more migrant children dying while detained in US custody. According to Families Belong Together, 7 children have now died while in custody or shortly after their release . Adults are also dying in custody, with three adults, including a transgender woman, dying in three days in early June. Multiple sources (including the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General) have detailed overcrowding and poor conditions at detention centers near the border. In El Paso , a processing center designed to hold 125 migrants had a population between 750-900 people. Detainees were observed standing on toilets to gain breathing space and were wearing "soiled clothing for days or weeks." In May, tents were set up to hold detained families in McAllen, Brownsville, and Rio Grande City. Closer to home, families are still being held at the Berks County Detention Center in ...

In October 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) put out a final rule to protect consumers and borrowers from excessively high interest rates on payday loans, car title loans, and other predatory lending. According to Prosperity Now, these rules  represented "the first-ever attempt at the federal level to regulate an industry that each year siphons off more than $8 billion dollars from the pockets of hard-working individuals and families. Built on over five years of CFPB research, community and stakeholder engagement—including more than one million comments submitted during the public comment process last year—this landmark regulation ensures that consumers everywhere are protected from the many predatory practices that plague the payday lending industry." But today, unfortunately, these rules are in jeopardy. Earlier in the year, CFPB announced plans to change the payday lending rule. We are now in a comment period to allow stakeholders to offer feedbac...

(from our friends at the Keystone Counts Coalition ) Pennsylvania is at risk of an undercount in the 2020 Census, and this could mean a significant loss of federal funds for healthcare, nutrition assistance, transportation, housing, education, programs for children and parents, and much more! We can't afford to put these programs needlessly at risk. That's why Pennsylvania needs to take immediate action to prevent an undercount. If you're concerned about about health care, nutrition assistance, transportation, housing, education, child welfare programs and more. tell lawmakers to support a public fund in the state budget to ensure a fair and accurate #2020Census .  Take action today!

Last week, two mosques in New Zealand became the sites of terror attacks. At least 50 people were killed and another 50 wounded in Christchurch, New Zealand. The main suspect in the shooting may have posted a manifesto containing "anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim" sentiments minutes before the attack. PathWays PA sends our thoughts and support to families in New Zealand and to all those affected by gun violence and xenophobia. Please read on to learn more about what you can do to support families and stop violence and hatred. How You Can Help Victims The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh set up a fund for Christchurch victims . Last year, Muslim communities in Pittsburgh and across the world raised money for victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. CNN recommends supporting the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups , which has launched a crowdfunding campaign .  As always, please research any organization carefully before donating to them How You C...