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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 28, 2020 03:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Anthony H. Williams |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Pennsylvania GROCER Act |
| In the near future, I will be introducing the Pennsylvania Giving Retailers and Our Convenience Employees Relief (GROCER) Act to provide a state personal income-tax (PIT) holiday for these essential workers for the entirety of 2020. This mirrors bipartisan federal legislation offered by Representatives Glenn Thompson and Dwight Evans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery and convenience store employees have been especially hard hit, with increased exposure to danger from the coronavirus. As one of the few public-facing sectors still operating, grocery store clerks have continued to stock shelves, assist customers in finding alternatives amid depleted inventories, and protect customers’ health as they provide access to necessary food and supplies. Despite their importance as essential workers, Politifact Pennsylvania reported that employees in our commonwealth’s grocery industry earn an average annual wage of $23,000. The Pennsylvania GROCER Act will put an extra $700 in the pockets of these life-sustaining workers. While that seems like a small sum to many, it could provide much-needed relief to thousands of underpaid and overworked grocery and convenience store employees. To minimize the fiscal impact to the Commonwealth and provide relief where it is most needed, my legislation would cap the income eligibility for PIT forgiveness at $75,000. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Questions or concerns may be addressed to my legislative director, Kyle Miller, at kyle.miller@pasenate.com. Thank you. |
Introduced as SB1153