Gov. Wolf Proposes $145M In COVID-19 Relief For Businesses

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday announced a plan to transfer $145 million from the state Workers' Compensation Security Fund to the general fund to aid businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

Wolf expressed hope much of the funds would go to bars restaurants whose operations and profitability have been crippled by the pandemic, although gyms and entertainment venues also would be eligible for the money.

But how quickly the those businesses will obtain the financial relief remains to be seen. The grants Wolf proposed have to be authorized by the state Legislature, which is on holiday recess and won't convene again until January.

"I urge the General Assembly to take action as soon as possible to get this money to our businesses," Wolf said at a news conference.

"Restaurants and bars, those folks have been dealt a crushing blow by this pandemic through no fault of their own. The nature of this insidious disease is not the fault of the business owners and they should not have to weather this storm on their own."

Restaurants and bars across the state are in the middle of a three-week prohibition on indoor dining that Wolf imposed in an effort to help stem an alarming spike in coronavirus cases and deaths earlier this month.

That ban is effective until Jan. 4. Wolf said he hasn't considered extending it.

Asked if business that have defined the indoor dining ban would be ineligible for the state money, Wolf said, "Most businesses have been abiding by (the restriction). I don't see this as an issue."

Wolf acknowledged that the $145 million and the money allocated to assist businesses in the latest $900 billion federal stimulus package won't be enough to get every struggling business back on its feet.

“Just as the CARES Act did in March, the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package Congress passed this week will provide desperately needed aid to businesses and industries throughout Pennsylvania," he said. "But that bill is not sufficient to meet the needs of the Pennsylvania businesses that have seen the worst consequences from this pandemic.”